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Dirk Stemerman Partner
831-373-4725 phone
831-373-0560 fax
Dirk Stemerman focuses his practice on representing injured workers in workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits cases. He is certified as a Specialist in workers’ compensation law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He is a much-in-demand speaker and presenter at numerous legal conventions.
Dirk is also involved in the local legal community, serving as a volunteer with the Watsonville Law Center, which provides free legal services to low-income individuals with predominate focus on the agricultural community and workers’ rights and as a Sustaining Member of the Workplace Injury Law & Advocacy Group, a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of injured workers.
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Education
- J.D., Whittier Law School
- Comparative Program, University of the Western Cape School of Law, Cape Town, South Africa
- B.A., Political Studies, University of Illinois at Springfield
Memberships
- Monterey County Bar Association
- California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (2002 – present; Board of Directors 2004 – 2020)
- National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
- Monterey Bay Workers’ Compensation Attorneys’ Association
- Workplace Injury Law & Advocacy Group
- California Teachers Association Group Legal Services
Publications and Presentations
- Panelist, COA Annual Meeting & QME Course, Monterey, May 2023 – Applying the Kite Decision
- Panelist, CAAA Convention, San Diego, January 2019 – Benson: How and Why Exceptions Apply
- Panelist, CAAA Convention, San Diego, January 2017 – Professional Responsibility & Conflicts of Interest
- Panelist, CWCDAA Winter Conference, Anaheim, November 2015 – Applicant Attorney Perspective on Rebutting the PDRS Post 1/1/13
- Panelist, CAAA Convention, San Diego, January 2015 – How to Obtain, Actualize and Secure Your Client’s Accurate and Actual Disability
- Panelist, CAAA Seminar, Oakland – The Domino Effect of Treatment Denials – September 2014
- Columnist, Monterey County Herald – “On the Job,” 2011-2013
- Panelist, CAAA Rating Seminar, Monterey, December 2012
- Panelist, CAAA Convention, Lake Tahoe, June 2009 – Utilizing Medical & Other Expert Evidence at Trial – Rebuttal to the Guides WPI and/or the Scheduled FEC
- Panelist, CAAA Convention, Monterey, June 2008 – Advanced AMA Guides II
- Panelist, CAAA Convention, Rancho Mirage, January 2008 – Navigating the AME/QME Process
- Author, CAAA Newsletter, 2005-2007
- Co-author and panelist, ATLA Convention, Seattle, WA, July 2006: “Representing Farm Workers, Migrant Workers, and Undocumented Workers–Overcoming Geographical, Social, and Language Barriers”
- Contributor, “CAAAments” magazine, 2010, 2006, 2005
- Contributor, “Workers First Watch” magazine, 2005-2006
- Reporter, “Matthew Bender Labor and Employment Law Bulletin,” 2004-2005