Senior Staff Attorney Workers' Compensation

Overview

This position is an in-house opportunity for a Senior Staff Attorney to litigate Workers’ Compensation cases in the North (Hackensack) and Western locations in New Jersey.

The attorney will strive to deliver the best possible outcome in pending litigation. This role reports to the Staff Legal Managing Attorney or Assistant Managing Attorney and is well-suited for an experienced attorney with significant trial and litigation experience who can independently handle matters from inception through trial.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex legal and factual issues; conduct extensive and develop well-reasoned legal research.
• Independently create and present defense strategies on behalf of clients.
• Prepare pleadings, written discovery, opposition to MMTs, and trial briefs in support of defense strategies, in collaboration with the legal team (legal assistants and paralegals).
• Partner with Claims partners to achieve the best results for clients/insureds.
• Provide effective and timely communications, information, legal advice, and other services to clients regarding legal and factual issues related to the litigation.
• Communicate with the court, witnesses, opposing counsel, and co-counsel with professional diplomacy and discretion.
• Facilitate prompt, efficient, and effective disposition of assigned cases.
• Independently prepare and present witnesses and evidence at trials, judicial/administrative hearings, and motions.
• Research, draft, file, and argue appellate briefs in reviewing courts on behalf of clients.
• Participate in team huddles.
• Provide in-house training to junior associates and/or claims partners.
• Participate in claims file reviews.
• Attend continuing legal education seminars to maintain professional expertise.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of legal practice experience handling all forms of complex/admitted/occupational/dependency Workers’ Compensation cases, including but not limited to trials and motions for med and temp, etc.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• License to practice in the state of New Jersey.
• Trial experience is necessary.
• Positive, collaborative, team-player attitude.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Strong MS Office proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Self-directed.
• Strong computer skills and comfort working in a paperless environment, on a task-based platform, and ability to quickly leverage new software as required.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize duties and time.
• Demonstrated expertise and familiarity in handling claim cases and litigation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Core competencies required:
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Operational Excellence
  • Leadership
  • Business Knowledge and Decision Making
  • Effective Relationships
  • Excellent writing skills
  • Strong communication skills

Compensation & Benefits

• Annualized base pay range: $132,400 - $198,600
• Actual base pay may vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency, and demonstration of competencies required for the role.
• The base pay is one component of the total compensation package; other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition.

Location

Remote work opportunity; however, the selected candidate will travel as required by a specific Judge or Court vicinage to in-person hearings, trials, motions, etc. within the following geography: North (Hackensack) and Western vicinages in New Jersey.