Today was the first day on a new job for E. Cooper Brown as he begins his service as Vice-Chair of the Department of Labor’s Administrative Review Board (ARB). Brown had served on the ARB in the 1990’s, until the Bush Administration swept out the old Board members in 2001. I particularly appreciate his concurring opinion in Khandelwal v. Southern California Edison, ARB No. 98-159, ALJ Nos. 1997-ERA-6 (ARB Nov. 30, 2000). He made clear that the scope of discovery is broad — something the ARB was reluctant to say thereafter. Brown previously served the District of Columbia as Chair of the Compensation Review Board (CRB), where his tenure was noted for more efficient administration and clearing a pre-existing backlog. This skills are well suited for today’s ARB.
Paul M. Igasaki is expected to begin service as ARB Chair by the end of this month. Igasaki is currently Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Equal Justice Works. He was formerly a member and chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
ARB member Oliver Transue departed last week. Former ARB Chair Wayne Beyer is staying on as an associate Board member. That still leaves two vacancies to fill. I had called for appointment of new ARB members last April.
