Workers Compensation Associate
Job Summary
The WC Associate works on a team of Partners, other Associates, Paralegals and Legal Assistants handling complicated cases that often involve medical records.
Supervisory Responsibilities
The WC Associate supervises his or her assigned Legal Assistant. To a lesser degree, the associate also supervises and delegates to paralegals.
Duties/Responsibilities
• Analytical skills: Ability to analyze and reason independently and apply law to facts of case.
• Writing skills: Ability to communicate points and ideas clearly, effectively, and succinctly in written format. Proofreading (grammar, typos, etc.).
• Verbal Skills: Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with clients, insurers, witnesses, and other counsel.
• Timeliness of work: Consistently completes and submits assignments in a timely manner.
• Flexibility under pressure: Ability to revise priorities based upon changes or needs, to follow through and meet deadlines, with accommodation of partners' schedules.
• Identifies legal issues on his/her own: Exercises critical thinking by analyzing legal issues independently or asking for guidance when appropriate or confused by an issue.
• Ethical practice of law: Understands and implements.
• Case Understanding: Knowledge of technical/medical information for case development and advocacy, based on experience. Ability to recognize theme, issue, and goals in case and develop ways to achieve the desired end.
• Judgment: Ability to make and willingness to accept responsibility for reasonable and correct decisions consistent with level of experience.
• Creative approach to client problems: Resourceful and imaginative.
• Handling of critical depositions: Ability to take deposition of opposing expert and plaintiff. Ability to defend/prepare client.
• Mediation representation: Readiness to independently represent client at mediation.
• Overall litigation skills: Readiness to take a major role at trial, as appropriate for experience. Continually makes the effort to further develop litigation skills.
• Promotion/Development of existing clients: Takes advantage of available opportunities to strengthen relationships and build business with existing clients for associate's level of experience.
• Promotion/Development of new clients: Takes advantage of available opportunities to market and secure new clients for associate's level of experience.
• Participates in seminars, public speaking, and writing opportunities.
• Time entry and billing: Timely and consistently enters and releases time into timekeeping software.
• Accessibility/Accountability: Available in the office during regular hours, after hours, and on weekends.
Required Skills/Abilities
• Detail-oriented and professional?
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks?
• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite?
• Works and presents a positive and courteous demeanor with other attorneys and staff?
• Conducts behavior outside the firm in a way that exemplifies the firm?
• Flexible and adaptable in various situations and when interacting with many different personalities?
• Ability to function in a team setting with Partners, Associates, and Support Staff?
• Participates in firm committees, bar-related, and/or other outside legal activities?
• Dependable with a respect to confidentiality and policies?
Education/Experience
• Alabama Bar License
• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-approved law school
• Two years of experience in Workers Compensation / insurance defense preferred
Physical Requirements
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to stand, sit, walk, stoop, bend, kneel, and grip
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
