Overview
This role involves serving as a Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney within a Workers’ Compensation legal team, focusing on California workers’ compensation defense. The position requires managing a caseload independently, collaborating closely with claims professionals, and handling litigation including depositions and hearings. The role is primarily remote within California, with required in-person appearances in Los Angeles County.
Responsibilities
- Manage a California workers’ compensation defense caseload end to end, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, lien strategy, settlements, hearings, and trials.
- Develop and implement case strategies based on factual investigation, legal research, and risk evaluation.
- Draft and argue motions, petitions for reconsideration, trial briefs, and appellate briefs as needed.
- Prepare and present witnesses and evidence at trials, hearings, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
- Coordinate with experts and third-party vendors.
- Provide timely and clear legal advice to claims partners and insureds, including case status updates and valuation recommendations.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with opposing counsel, judges, boards, and external partners.
- Participate in team meetings, case reviews, and training sessions to contribute to a learning culture.
- Stay current on changes in California workers’ compensation law, WCAB procedures, and legal technology.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law in California.
- Member in good standing of the applicable Bar Association.
- Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
- Ability to manage a caseload independently, prioritize deadlines, and exercise sound judgment (target caseload: 95-100 files).
- Professional and client-focused communication skills; ability to collaborate effectively in a matrixed environment.
- Comfortable working primarily remotely and using technology to manage a paperless practice.
- Experience with WCAB trials/hearings and strong deposition skills.
- Experience drafting petitions for reconsideration and handling appeals.
- Familiarity with LexisNexis or similar legal research tools and litigation/case management systems.
- Interest in mentoring, training, and contributing to process improvements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Staff Attorney: Minimum 2 years of legal practice experience, including California workers’ compensation matters or comparable experience.
- Senior Staff Attorney: Minimum 5 years of legal practice experience with significant independent handling of complex California workers’ compensation cases; trial/hearing experience preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
- Annualized base pay range: $118,800 - $198,600, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Additional compensation may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and recognition programs.
- Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k) with company match; paid holidays and time off; fitness reimbursement; reimbursed work-related travel and parking; company phone and internet reimbursement.
Location
- Applicants must be located within Los Angeles County, with a primary focus on Los Angeles, Van Nuys, and Marina Del Rey.
- The role is primarily remote with required in-person appearances at WCAB venues across Los Angeles, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, Van Nuys, and Oxnard for expedited hearings and trials.