Staff Counsel-Workers Compensation (California)

Overview

This role is for California-licensed attorneys who reside outside the State of California and will represent the organization and its insureds in workers’ compensation matters pending before the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). Candidates must have at least 12 months of California workers’ compensation litigation experience.

The position supports both full-time and part-time schedules. Counsel will appear at depositions, hearings, mediations, and other proceedings via secure video conference. Work includes managing all phases of a litigation caseload and providing competent, ethical, and diligent representation in assigned matters, including pleadings, motions, discovery, trial preparation, arbitration, and appellate work.

This team is hiring Staff Counsel at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Competently represent the Employer/Carrier before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board at administrative hearings, conferences, trials, and appeals on litigated and in pro per claims.
• Ensure prompt, efficient, and effective disposition of assigned cases.
• Appear remotely at depositions, cross-examinations, mediations, arbitrations, and other legal-driven activities outside of the WCAB.
• Analyze complex legal and factual issues; conduct extensive legal research; independently develop and present defense strategies.
• Prepare pleadings, petitions, motions, correspondence, and briefs in support of defense strategies.
• Provide thorough and timely communication, information, legal advice, and other services to Claims, Underwriting, and employers on relevant legal and factual issues.
• Comply with Litigation Management Guidelines with minimal supervision.
• Assist in developing training materials for Claims, Underwriting, and employers regarding the application of current laws, practices, and trends in California workers’ compensation.
• Handle carve-out cases and be familiar with the practices and procedures of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program (ADR).
• Communicate with Workers’ Compensation Judges, claims professionals, witnesses, opposing counsel, and clients in a manner consistent with established office procedures.
• Stay current with market trends and demands; attend continuing legal education seminars to maintain professional expertise.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Licensed by the California State Bar.
• Strong technical knowledge and familiarity with the California Labor Code and Rules of Practice and Procedure, as well as current case law and its application.
• Ability to handle a caseload of up to 95 cases from inception to settlement and/or appellate level.
• 1+ year experience relevant to the practice of Workers’ Compensation.
• Strong working knowledge of EAMS, Lexis Advance, Microsoft Office.
• Trial and/or arbitration experience consistent with the years of experience above.
• Appellate experience consistent with the years of experience above.
• Technical ability to appear remotely at WCAB district offices and other legal venues to represent the organization’s interests and those of its insureds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialization in California Workers’ Compensation Law.
• Experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
• Strong working knowledge of Legal Case Management system.

Compensation & Benefits

• Expected salary range: $125,000–$190,000/year.
• Medical & Dental Plans
• Life Insurance (including eligible spouses & children)
• Health Care Flexible Spending
• Dependent Care
• 401k Savings Plans
• Paid Time Off

Location

• California-licensed attorneys who reside outside the State of California.
• Remote appearances via secure video conference, including depositions, hearings, mediations, and other proceedings.