JOHN B. FLOYD
Attorney at Law
Certified Specialist, Workers’ Compensation Law
The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
 

	jfloyd@fsklaw.com
	(818) 715-0018 ext. 575
	(818) 591-3572
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   The Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP was established in 1987 by John B. Floyd.  Since then, the firm has experienced significant and steady growth.  Today, the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly has ten offices throughout California and one in Nevada.  Mr. Floyd is a Certified Specialist and has devoted many years in the workers’ compensation field representing insurance companies, self-insureds, municipalities and employers in 132a claims and serious and willful actions.  He has served as an Arbitrator, Mediator, and Judge Pro Tem, as well as being an expert witness in bad faith claims and is a Certified Administrator for Self-Insurers.
   Mr. Floyd is involved in numerous committees, including California Chamber of Commerce Amicus Committee, State Bar Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee and Employers’ Fraud Task Force.
   Mr. Floyd helped publish Retired Judge David W. O’Brien’s treaties on California Workers’ Compensation Claims and Benefits, California Unemployment and Disability Compensation Programs and the pamphlet entitled California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Employee Rights and Responsibilities.

   Terry L. Smith is currently the Managing Attorney of the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly’s San Fernando Valley office location.  Mr. Smith is a Certified Specialist in California Workers’ Compensation Law and has defended insurance carriers, private employers, public agencies, self-insured employers, administrators, school districts, and transit districts.  He is a Trial attorney litigating special investigation cases, serious willful violations claims, 132a claims and appellate work.
   Mr. Smith served as a Deputy Sheriff for the County of Ventura and has worked for the Ventura District Attorney’s office.  Mr. Smith began his worker’s compensation career as a claims adjuster and then as an attorney working at a national insurance carrier specializing in Special Investigations Unit (SIU) cases.
   He has lectured to insurance company’s claims units and employers in association with the Employer’s Fraud Task Force and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

   David M. Weitzman is an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in our firm’s Thousand Oaks office location.  After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Mr. Weitzman continued on to obtain his Juris Doctorate Degree from Southwestern School of Law.
   Prior to joining the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly in 2006, Mr. Weitzman developed years of experience with civil litigation and workers’ compensation matters and has brought this experience to our firm.  Mr. Weitzman handles all aspects of workers’ compensation litigation including civil subrogation, standard litigation, 132a discrimination allegations and serious and willful misconduct allegations.
   Prior to beginning his undergraduate and law school studies, Mr. Weitzman served honorably in the United States Air Force as a Security Specialist.

   David W. O'Brien, a member of the California and New Hampshire bars, received his Bachelor of Education from Plymouth State University in 1950 and the degree of Doctor of Law from the University of San Francisco in 1960. He is admitted to the U.S. District Courts, Districts of New Hampshire and California. He is also a member of the American Bar Association.
   Retired Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCALJ) O'Brien served as a Workers' Compensation Judge with the California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, as an Administrative Law Judge with the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, as a Deputy Commissioner of Corporations for the State of California, and as a Senior Counsel for the State Compensation Insurance Fund. He has also devoted many years to the private practice of law as both a defense and plaintiff attorney, serves as an expert witness in civil cases and is a Certified Administrator for Self-Insurance Plans.
   During the Korean War, Judge O'Brien served as a special agent in the Counter Intelligence Corps.

   Debra S. Tobias is a Certified Worker’s Compensation Specialist and an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in our firm’s Thousand Oaks office location.  She is a graduate of California State University at Northridge, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Ms. Tobias thereafter went on to study law at Southwestern University School of Law, graduating in 1990 with a Juris Doctor degree.
   Ms. Tobias has been an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly since 2003 and brings to the firm nearly 20 years of legal experience in civil and workers’ compensation litigation.  Prior to joining Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, Ms. Tobias worked as in-house legal counsel for a major national worker’s compensation insurance carrier and also worked as in-house counsel for a national corporation litigating First Amendment matters and cases arising under the Federal Freedom of Information Act.  Ms. Tobias also worked with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office conducting preliminary Hearings and co-chairing misdemeanor trials at Central Trial in Los Angeles and Van Nuys. She also worked with the California State Attorney General’s office writing criminal appellate briefs on behalf of the State as a responding party. Ms. Tobias has represented insurance entities, employers, third party administrators and uninsured employers in all aspects of workers’ compensation litigation including standard defense litigation, 132a discrimination allegations and serious and willful misconduct claims.
  Ms. Tobias is well-versed in the depositions of injured workers, physicians, and witnesses. Her creative, aggressive and earnest approach to claims has resulted in numerous "Take Nothing" Awards at trial, during her career as a defense attorney.

   Elizabeth L. Herschel is a Hearing Representative with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in the firm’s Thousand Oaks office location.  Ms. Herschel is currently in her fourth year of law school at Ventura College of Law with an anticipated award of her Juris Doctorate Degree in May of 2008. 
   Ms. Herschel has been with the firm since June of 2006.  Ms. Herschel was previously employed with Miller & Associates for 14 years. 
   Ms. Herschel is currently focusing her attention in the Thousand Oaks Lien Unit.  She negotiates and resolves all lien matters as well as attends Lien Hearings at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB).   

   Gregory E. Palmberg is an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in our firm’s Thousand Oaks office location.  Mr. Palmberg obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University before moving forward to obtain his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of La Verne School of Law.
   Before joining the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly in 2007, Mr. Palmberg developed a strong background of experience in both civil defense litigation as well as workers’ compensation matters, which he has practiced exclusively for the past eight years.
   Mr. Palmberg has extensive experience in all aspects of workers’ compensation defense and litigation from initial discovery planning through Trial and ultimate resolution.
   Currently, Mr. Palmberg handles all aspects of workers’ compensation defense including standard file litigation, 132a discrimination claims as well as serious and willful misconduct allegations.  Mr. Palmberg works closely with insurance companies, third party administrators, self-insured entities as well as uninsured employers to ensure the most aggressive and cost effective defense.

   James K. Lowery is an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in our firm’s Thousand Oaks office location.  After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, Northridge, Mr. Lowery moved forward to obtain his Juris Doctorate Degree at the University of La Verne College of Law.
   Prior to joining the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly in 2003, Mr. Lowery had obtained years of experience in standard workers’ compensation defense as well as expertise in the myriad of nuances in handling complex and high exposure lien matters.
   Mr. Lowery currently represents employers, insurance companies, third party administrators and uninsured employers in all matters before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB).

   Jason C. Hilfrink is an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in our firm’s Thousand Oaks office location.  Mr. Hilfrink’s expertise is dedicated to the representation of employers, insurance entities, self-insured entities and third party administrators in all aspects of California workers’ compensation law.
   Mr. Hilfrink has also been heavily involved with FSK Publishing.  He has worked closely with retired Judge David W. O’Brien on such esteemed publications as California Workers’ Compensation Claims and Benefits (10th, 11th and 12th Editions) and California Unemployment and Disability Compensation Programs (10th Edition). 
   Currently, he also prepares and writes Floyd, Skeren & Kelly’s monthly newsletter sent to over 1,000 readers. In the past, Mr. Hilfrink was also a staff member for the National Journal of Administrative Law Judges.

   John W. Miller is affiliated with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in an of counsel position working closely with the firm’s Thousand Oaks office location.  Mr. Miller obtained his Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree from the University of San Fernando Valley before going on to obtain his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of San Fernando College of Law.
    Following receipt of his Juris Doctorate Degree, Mr. Miller quickly founded one of Southern California’s most reputable law offices, Miller & Folse, in 1974 where he focused on the litigation of all aspects of workers’ compensation matters including standard litigation, 132a discrimination claims and serious and willful misconduct allegations.  Mr. Miller has also had substantial experience in litigating insurance coverage issues.
   In addition to a welcome affiliation with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly which began in 2007, Mr. Miller has also served as a Judge Pro Tem with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB), has been an Arbitrator for the WCAB and an Instructor teaching workers’ compensation for employers at the University of California in Los Angeles.  Mr. Miller is a highly sought after lecturer by many business and insurance industry groups.

   Rene Thomas Folse, J.D., Ph.D. is affiliated with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in an of counsel position working closely with many of the firm’s office locations. Mr. Folse earned his Undergraduate Degree from California State University, Long Beach, before going on to earn his Juris Doctorate Degree from the San Fernando College of Law. Mr. Folse also has the distinction of having earned his Masters of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology as well as his Juris Doctorate Degree in clinical psychology.
   Prior to joining Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, Mr. Folse had the distinction of co-founding one of Southern California’s most reputable law firms, Miller & Folse, in 1974.
   Throughout his career, Mr. Folse has focused his attention on all aspects of workers’ compensation litigation. Mr. Folse has acted as a Judge Pro Tem with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, has been appointed to numerous faculty and teaching positions and has co-authored a leading treaty discussing psychological injury claims.
   In addition to his many other accomplishments, Mr. Folse is a highly sought after speaker.
   Mr. Folse currently works with Floyd, Skeren & Kelly in an of counsel position assisting the firm in matters of complex litigation in all aspects of workers compensation.

   Robert A. Rose is an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in our firm’s Thousand Oaks office location.  Mr. Rose obtained his Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge, before going on to obtain his Juris Doctorate Degree with Pepperdine University School of Law.
   Mr. Rose has over 16 years experience in workers’ compensation matters ranging from standard litigation of workers’ compensation claims to defense of serious and willful misconduct allegations.  Throughout his career, Mr. Rose has represented employers, insurance companies, third party administrators and uninsured employers in all aspects of workers’ compensation litigation.

   Robert C. Nichols is an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in the firms’ Thousand Oaks office. He is a graduate of Cal State University Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and was awarded a Juris Doctor Degree, Cum Laude, from the San Fernando Valley College of Law.
    For over thirty years, Mr. Nichols has specialized in the defense of all aspects of Workers’ Compensation matters including all standard issues, discrimination claims filed under Labor Code 132a and Serious and Willful Claims, at both the trial and the appellate levels. He has also handled subrogation matters and the defense of personal injury matters. Mr. Nichols has tried numerous cases before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and appeared before the California Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court. Mr. Nichols works closely with self-insured employers, third party administrators and insurance carriers.
   Mr. Nichols has been a lecturer at the California Self-Insurers Association, California Manufacturers Association and numerous claims organizations. He has also served as a Judge Pro Tem for the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and the Los Angeles Superior Courts.
    In addition to his legal experience, Mr. Nichols has worked for over 23 years as a Certified Level I Reserve Officer with the Los Angeles Police Department and has worked uniform patrol, Special Problems Unit, Divisional Vice and Detective Headquarters Motorcycle Gang Unit. His experience has included representing officer in discipline matters at the trial and appellate levels and the representation of officers in civil rights matters.

   Walter Hesse is the Lien Unit Manager for the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP working out of the firm’s Thousand Oaks office location.  Mr. Hesse has been with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly since January of 2001 at which time he brought with him substantial experience in the workers’ compensation field.
   Mr. Hesse has over 30 years of experience in the workers’ compensation industry where has worked as a Hearing Representative, claims examiner and claims supervisor.  In the course of his career, Mr. Hesse has earned his Self-Insurance Certification and was previously an Insurance Educational Association (IEA) instructor.
   Due to his substantial experience in lien negotiations, litigation and resolution, Mr. Hesse was promoted to the firm’s Lien Unit Manager where he oversees all of the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly’s staff involved in lien negotiations to ensure prompt and proper resolution of liens for our firm’s clients which include insurance entities, third party administrators, uninsured employers and self-insured entities.