OFFICIAL OPINION No. 3

OFFICIAL OPINION No. 3 Workmen's Compensation-Qualifications for position of referee. 1. Previous ruling of Department that appointment by the Governor to the position of Workmen's Compensation Referee should be made only to prac- ticing attorneys is rescinded. Honorable Paul J. Smith Secretary of Labor and Industry 1700 Labor and Industry Building Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Dear Secretary Smith: Harrisburg, Pa., March 1, 1971 Thank you for your letter of February 16, 1971. I have given serious thought to your suggestion that the position of Workmen's Compensa- 10 OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL tion Referee be not restricted to individuals admitted to the practice of law. There is no requirement in the Pennsylvania Workmen's Compen- sation Act, as amended, 77 P. S. § 1 et seq., that Referees be attorneys. I am of the opinion that there are many qualified persons who could serve effectively as Workmen's Compensation Referees who are not necessarily lawyers. Accordingly, the previous ruling of this Depart- ment that appointments by the Governor to the position of Workmen's Compensation Referee should be made only of individuals admitted to the practice of law is hereby rescinded. Sincerely, J. SHANE CREAMER, Attorney General.