EVENTS
Blair Trigg is the 2015
Judge Robert Thiessen’s Retirement Party: An Evening to Remember
T
he SCBA Workers’ Compensation Section hosted the retirement party of Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Judge Robert Thiessen, in mid-February. 200 attendees, including members of the judge’s family and friends, came out to honor Judge Thiessen for his nearly 20 years of service. The event was held at the California Automobile Museum, a very appropriate venue for Judge Thiessen’s entrance in a classic Ford convertible. Speakers at the event included Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, Sacramento District Office, Presiding Judge Joel Harter and Judge Noah Tempkin. Presiding Judge Harter presented Judge Thiessen with a plaque containing a Resolution from the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, the Department of Industrial Relations’ appellate body
by Blair Trigg
which hears appeals from the local WCAB District Office. The Resolution commended Judge Thiessen for his dedication to the workers’ compensation community and thanked him for his exemplary service at the Sacramento District Office, where he served on the bench from June 1, 1995 to January 31, 2015. Presiding Judge Harter added his thanks to Judge Thiessen for his many years of judgeship at the Sacramento WCAB District Office, both as colleague and friend. Judge Tempkin kept the audience in good spirits with fond stories of his time on the bench with Judge Thiessen. Judge Tempkin recalled that, prior to going on the bench, he had the pleasure to appear before Judge Thiessen as a practicing attorney. He lauded Judge Thiessen for his “genuine, thoughtful, and considerate” work as a WCALJ. Dan Tichy, of Timmons, Owen,
Sacramento WCAB Judges Dudley Phenix & Joseph Samuel
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Treasurer of the SCBA’s Workers’ Compensation Law Section. He may be contacted at btrigg@blackandrose.com.
SACRAMENTO LAWYER | May/June 2015 | www.sacbar.org
Jansen and Tichy and 2015 President of the Workers’ Compensation Section, also presented Judge Thiessen with a plaque from the SCBA to a chorus of cheers, proof that the judge was liked and respected by the entire practicing community. As the last speaker, Judge Thiessen thanked the members of bench and bar alike and reminded listeners that he would miss serving the community that had grown so fond of him in turn. As the retirement party grew to a close, Judge Thiessen and his wife, Nancy, followed by several attendees, took to the dance floor to celebrate the evening with a few fun steps. On behalf of all the SCBA Workers’ Compensation Section members and the Sacramento workers’ compensation community, we wish Judge Thiessen a very satisfying and enjoyable retirement.
Daniel Tichy presenting Judge Robert Thiessen with the SCBA plaque