Overview
Associate Staff Attorney (early-career)
This role supports the organization’s California Workers’ Compensation legal team. The position is designed for an attorney with 0–2 years of legal practice experience who wants hands-on litigation experience, structured mentorship, and development within a collaborative in-house legal environment.
You will represent the organization and its policyholders in workers’ compensation matters from inception through resolution. Associate Attorneys manage their own caseloads with guidance, mentorship, and support from management and experienced attorneys.
Responsibilities
- Handle California workers’ compensation defense matters under the guidance of experienced attorneys.
- Contribute to case strategy development through factual investigation, legal research, file analysis, and risk evaluation.
- Draft pleadings, discovery responses, motions, settlement documents, and petitions with appropriate supervision and feedback.
- Prepare for and participate in depositions, hearings, trials, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
- Communicate case status, legal analysis, recommendations, and next steps to Claims Partners and internal stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.
- Develop toward greater independence in case management while strengthening litigation skills.
- Coordinate with opposing counsel, WCAB staff, experts, and external vendors consistent with office procedures and case strategy.
- Participate in team huddles, case roundtables, file reviews, and strategy discussions.
- Stay current on changes in California workers’ compensation law, WCAB procedures, and legal technology; maintain continuing legal education as required.
Requirements
- 0–2 years of legal practice experience (including internships, clerkships, early litigation exposure, or comparable experience). California workers’ compensation experience is helpful but not required.
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law in California and member in good standing of the applicable Bar Association.
- Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and oral communication skills.
- Legal internship, law clerkship, or early-career litigation experience preferred.
- Familiarity with workers’ compensation, insurance defense, civil litigation, or insurance-related matters is helpful but not required.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and develop toward independent case handling with appropriate guidance.
- Professional, client-focused communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a matrixed legal and claims environment.
- Comfort working primarily remote and using technology to support a paperless legal practice.
Preferred Qualifications
- Legal internship, law clerkship, or early-career litigation experience preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation
- Annualized base pay range: $84,800 - $127,200
- Base pay could vary based on factors including performance, proficiency, and demonstration of competencies required for the role.
Benefits
Eligible employees may receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Competitive compensation, along with an annual incentive bonus plan
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Generous paid time off and company holidays
- Professional development and continuing education opportunities
- Employee assistance and wellness programs
- Employee discounts and additional voluntary benefits
- Company-provided equipment, internet reimbursement, and role-related expense reimbursements
Location
- Primarily remote within California, with required appearances and periodic travel based on case needs.
- Applicants must reside in California. Coverage areas may include:
- Northern California: Greater San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and the Central Valley
- Southern California: Los Angeles County, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and San Diego
Equal Opportunity
Equal Opportunity Employer/Sex/Race/Color/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age