CWCI Pronounces Loss of life of Former Basic Counsel Michael McClain| Staff Compensation Information

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 | 804 | 1 | 5 min read

The staff and board of directors of the California Workers’ Compensation Institute announced the death of Michael McClain, who served as the organization’s general counsel from 1995 to 2016.

McClain died on Saturday at his home in Ashland, Oregon.

Prior to joining the CWCI workforce, McClain worked at Industrial Indemnity in San Francisco and served as chairman of the institute’s legal committee.

McClain was an accomplished professional who was highly respected in the workers’ compensation community, and his easygoing demeanor, compassion, and wit made him a valued friend to many, the CWCI said in a statement.

The CWCI also shared a tribute penned by one of McClain’s friends, employee compensation attorney Michael Marks.

Marks said McClain began his legal career in 1977 after graduating from the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific at Sacramento.

“He often said that he and his then-wife tossed a coin to see which of them would have to go to law school to improve their future … and he lost,” wrote Marks. “That loss was a great gain for many people.”

McClain represented injured workers and then moved to the labor compensation defense where “he brought his experience and compassion to an otherwise cynical and conservative industry that served as a role model for colleagues,” said Marks.

McClain organized and presented annual legal seminars, was involved in the creation of laws and regulations, and provided legal information for the CWCI when aspects of legal and regulatory reforms were challenged.

His wife Kathleen asked anyone who would acknowledge McClain to consider donating to a local food bank.