The PHPA Panel of Workers’ Compensation Attorneys was formed by the PHPA for the benefit of its Member Players and it is comprised of some of the most knowledgeable and experienced Workers' Compensation attorneys in the United States. Most also serve in the same capacity for the NFLPA, NHLPA and the MLSPA. Each State where a team is located is represented by a designated attorney. The Panel of designated attorneys is dedicated to providing professional and courteous legal services to injured players in order to assure the recovery of maximum medical and disability benefits. The Panel Attorneys have agreed to be governed by the PHPA’s Rules of Professional Conduct.
Once a year, the PHPA hosts a two-day conference in which each Panel attorney, along with representatives from other professional sports player associations (NHLPA, NFLPA, PLPA, NBPA, MLBPA, etc.) participate in presentations, case studies, seminars, question-and-answer forums, as well as informal discussions on the latest developments in Workers Compensation law. The direct interaction and face-to-face exchange of ideas has proven invaluable as experts in the field provide updates, consultation, and anecdotal evidence designed to assist their colleagues as well as everyone within the professional sports industry. The exchange of ideas inevitably serves to everyone's mutual benefit, allowing the PHPA to better assist players in need.
Each year at this meeting, the PHPA bestows the "Panel Member of the Year Award” to an attorney who has exemplified a desire to go above and beyond the expected call of duty in advancing and protecting the rights of injured athletes over the previous 12 months. The following Panel Attorneys have been recognized for their significant contributions:
1995: Bert Villarini
1996: Gerry Herz
1997: Pat Alcox
1998: George Hill
2001: Peter Bundarin
2002: Ned Ehrlich
2003: Ben Boscolo
2004: Gerry Herz
2005: Jim Aven
2006: Richard Wagenheim
2007: John Collins & Crawford Kirkpatrick
2008: Ken Wolfe
2009: Wayne Turley
2010: Ed Abes
2012: Mark Floyd
2013: Neil Gath
2014: Bert Villarini
2015: Dennis Thomas
2016: George Martin
2017: Robert Wisniewski
2018: John Boyd
2019: Bernard Pellegrino
2023: Modesto Diaz & Chris Ginocchio