Attorney

The Litigation Attorney will work directly with our Personal Injury department, as well as Workers’ Compensation and other departments within the Firm. The litigation attorney will be responsible for all aspects of litigation, including but not limited to drafting complaints, drafting and responding to discovery, meeting with and communicating with clients on a regular basis for medical management and case evaluation and strategies, maintaining an active case list with status of cases, taking and defending depositions, hiring experts and designating experts, preparing for and trying cases to verdict. Primary duties/responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Oversee and manage approximately up to 60 litigation files with the assistance of the assigned pod members and Firm support staff. Assist and direct assigned staff with day to day management of cases. Assist and direct investigation on all pre-litigation (as applicable) and litigation matters. Provide availability/”open door” policy for case managers to present questions on matters for attorney review and final approve. Evaluate potential and current matters for valuation purposes to aid in early resolution. Evaluate, create and execute a litigation plan through trial. Identify and retain medical experts and/or legal experts for each respective matter, including their preparation for trial and/or depositions. Supervise support staff, including a litigation secretary. Maintain communication with client and staff through the course of the claim and litigation. Perform legal research on relevant issues throughout the course of litigation. Prepare summons, complaints and other responsive pleadings for filing with the appropriate court. Propound and respond to written discovery. Draft meet and confer letters to opposing counsel regarding discovery issue. Prepare clients for depositions and other applicable hearings (i.e. minor’s compensation hearings). Take and defend depositions throughout the course of litigation. Prepare and respond to law and motion. Attend mediation and other court appearances. Responsible for preparing matters for trial, including the creation of all trial documents, motions in limine and oppositions to defense motions in limine, outline for direct and cross-examination of witnesses, etc. Conduct monthly file reviews with each team member. Assist Firm’s Associate Attorneys in the preparation for and actual commencement of jury trials. Responsible for overseeing liability investigations of all assigned PI matters. Responsible for participating in monthly file reviews with PI Managing Attorney(s). Responsible for the medical management of all assigned PI matters, including reviewing all medical reports and medical recommendations by treating medical providers; and other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

Competencies/Skills:

Active, acute knowledge of medical experts. Active, acute knowledge of legal experts. Active, acute knowledge of mediators, judges, arbitrators. Active knowledge of health insurance issues including Medi-Cal, Medi-Care, Kaiser, etc. Active knowledge and ability to settle pre-litigation/litigation cases for full value. Ability to meet with "problematic" clients. Ability to determine need to file suit -- small claims, limited jurisdiction, unlimited jurisdiction. Ability and active knowledge to negotiate medical liens upon settlement or award. Ability to identify "high value" cases early on and coordinate with paralegals. Ability to identify "low value" cases and knowledge of when to drop/refer matter out. Active knowledge of statute deadlines. 

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate degree and current good standing with CA State bar is required;
• Minimum 1-3 years’ experience working in a law firm Employment department;
• Must possess strong interpersonal and social skills;
• Demonstrates and takes initiative and has compassion for those requiring our services;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Must have good familiarity with Employment Law and Workers’ Compensation terminology; and
• Bilingual, fluent in English/Spanish preferred.