Senior Litigation Attorney Workers' Compensation (Northern California)

Overview

This role handles all aspects of workers’ compensation cases with varying degrees of complexity and provides other litigation and claim legal advice and services to support company operations. Responsibilities include proactive, independent management of a caseload of high exposure cases and complex litigation matters, with the goal of delivering optimal outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide litigation services and manage all aspects of assigned Workers’ Compensation matters.
• Manage the full legal process from investigation and discovery through trial preparation and court proceedings, including depositions, site inspections, court hearings, trials, and settlement negotiations.
• Litigate workers’ compensation cases in California before all state and federal courts, administrative boards, and other court proceedings.
• Represent the company, its related entities and insureds before administrative boards, state and federal courts, Court of Appeal, and the California Supreme Court.
• Handle premium audit disputes before administrative boards or other court proceedings.
• Assist in subpoenas and other third-party discovery.
• Analyze complex legal and factual issues; conduct extensive legal research; independently develop and present defense strategies.
• Ensure prompt, efficient, and effective disposition of assigned cases.
• Provide accurate legal analysis and strategy recommendations to clients and claims personnel.
• Assist with analyzing, reviewing, and distributing information on new legislation, regulations, court decisions, and proceedings.
• Provide strategic legal advice, recommendations, and implementation of clear, cost-effective, and efficient plans of action.
• Deliver ongoing quality assessments of the law and facts and recommend timely resolution.
• Analyze referrals from claims to determine whether outside investigation or additional information is needed from the insured or others.
• Provide effective and timely communications, information, legal advice, and other services to clients and claims professionals.
• Develop legal strategies for all stages of litigation and share them with claims personnel and clients.
• Provide leadership by mentoring other attorneys and legal support staff.
• Direct paralegals and other legal department staff in their duties and responsibilities.
• Ensure timely filing of all pleadings, motions, and other required documents with the court or administrative boards.
• Build and foster internal and external client relationships with a customer-centric focus.
• Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures and the California Rules of Professional Conduct.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This role does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.
• The position directs the work of support staff (which may include assistants and paralegals) in accordance with company policies and applicable laws, including the California Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work; reviewing, revising, and approving legal documents; delegating tasks; and training, coaching, and mentoring support staff.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university required.
• Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school required.
• Minimum 7-10 years of workers’ compensation litigation experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of California required, with no history of public or private reprisals.

Knowledge and Skills

• Expert knowledge in litigating California workers’ compensation matters, including trial experience and experience handling cases with varying degrees of complexity.
• Deep understanding of workers’ compensation administrative rules, procedures, laws, and statutes.
• Familiarity with business legal principles and practices, including knowledge of billing practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently under minimal supervision, maintain a strong work ethic, and exercise initiative.
• Ability to communicate effectively with external and internal clients verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical documents, legal materials of all types, and medical records.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to respond to inquiries from internal and external clients, businesses, State Bar or Judiciary members, and regulatory agencies, including effectively responding to sensitive inquiries.
• Ability to present information verbally and in writing to clients, claims personnel, management, mediators, arbitrators, judges, juries, and members of the public.
• Proficiency with a personal computer and Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn various proprietary computer applications.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts, including fractions, percentages, ratios, algebra, and geometry.
• Ability to combine information to form general rules or conclusions and problem-solve.
• Ability to define legal issues, collect necessary data, establish facts, draw legal conclusions, and implement strategic legal resolution.
• Expert time management skills, appropriate delegation of activities, and ability to manage multiple legal matters at one time.

Physical Requirements

• Office environment with no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.
• Regularly required to sit, walk, stand, talk, and hear.

Work Environment

• Office and court environment.
• Frequent use of a computer, telephone, copier, scanner, and other standard office equipment.
• Travel required to various court locations and other business locations.

Compensation & Benefits

• Current base salary range: $137,617.39 - $232,082.34
• Range excludes fringe benefits and potential bonuses.
• Final base salary will be determined by factors unique to each candidate, including experience, education, and the location of the role, and considers employees performing substantially similar work.

Benefits may include:

• Competitive benefits package with generous medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401K retirement plans and company match
• Bonus potential for all positions
• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays throughout the calendar year
• Support for continued learning

Additional Information

• Sponsorship: We are currently not offering employment sponsorship for this opportunity.

Location

• San Diego headquarters with regional offices located throughout the United States.
• Travel to various court locations and other business locations is required.

Equal Opportunity

• Equal Opportunity Employer. No discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.