Associate Attorney

Pacific Workers; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Workers seeks an Associate Attorney to lead a dedicated team handling workers' compensation cases. You will manage a Case Manager and Assistant Case Manager, representing clients before WCAB and higher courts while driving case resolutions and ethical advocacy.

You will supervise, train, and coordinate tasks in a collaborative environment, reporting to Case Management Director and Managing Attorney, with active involvement in community events and firm marketing.

Qualifications

• Current California State Bar license and no complaints, disbarments, or suspensions.
• Valid driver's license and be insurable.
• No DUI or reckless driving or other major traffic infractions.
• Basic computer skills and ability to use email and other software.
• Physical demands described in the job posting.
• Ability to supervise and train a team.

Responsibilities

• Represents clients before WCAB and higher courts to maximize case recovery.
• Achieves quarterly case resolution goals through settlement or trial.
• Communicates effectively with team and clients.
• Returns calls, emails, and texts to ensure team cohesion and direction.
• Conducts weekly in-person meetings with the team.
• Supervises, trains, and assists in developing assigned team.
• Assigns tasks via CRM and provides weekly/monthly reporting.
• Maintains case activity and documents in CRM
• Keeps superior knowledge of workers' compensation laws.
• Participates in firm marketing and community events.

Skills

Analytical

Problem Solving

Project Management

Technical Skills

Customer Service

External Relationships

Communicates Effectively

Delegation

Managing People

Organizational Skills

Education

California State Bar License

Driver's License

Tools

CRM System

Job description

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for the direct management of client cases on behalf of the firm. This includes but is not limited to the management of the Associate Attorney's team, including Case Manager and Assistant Case Manager. An associate attorney in the firm is a top-level representative of the company, its mission and its culture. Associate attorneys are expected to perform at the highest levels of the legal field and represent their clients to highest degree possible.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Represents clients to the best of their ability before WCAB and higher courts within the Workers' Compensation system to maximize case recovery for each client
• Achieves mutually agreed gross case resolutions goals per month, on quarterly averages either through settlement or trial
• Communicates effectively with team and clients
• Promptly returns team calls, emails and texts to ensure team cohesion and direction
• Promptly returns client emails, texts and phone calls (or assigns to team when appropriate)
• Conducts in-person weekly meetings with team according to company provided agenda
• Supervises, trains and assists in the professional development of their assigned Team.
• Assigns and explains tasks to team through CRM system
• Provides weekly and monthly reporting to Case Management Director and Managing Attorney
• Weekly reports of Case Resolutions and Depositions
• Case Management Reports for each new assigned case
• Evaluates findings and develops strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
• Documents all case activity in CRM System, including phone calls
• Maintains superior knowledge of workers' compensation laws to represent clients effectively and ethically
• Identifies third party issues for cases and works with third-party attorneys to maximize results for client
• Analyzes the probable outcomes of cases, uses knowledge of legal precedents.
• Evaluates findings and develops strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
• Performs administrative and management functions related to the practice of law.
• Attends company events and company sponsored events in the community
• Occasional drafting researched legal articles for firm marketing
• Participation in firm community and marketing activities, including free legal events

ATTENDANCE: Must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to meetings, phone consultations and court appearances. Work on nights and weekends may be required to fulfill all duties and responsibilities of position.

TRAVEL: Occasional day and overnight travel to WCAB appearances at boards other than the direct Bay Area such as Stockton, Fresno and Redding. Occasional overnight and weekend travel to educational and industry conferences on behalf of firm.

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; assigns work flows and procedures.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Project Management - Develops case management plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Interpersonal

• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• External Working Relationships - Develops and maintains courteous and effective working relationships with clients, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organizations.
• Communicates effectively with team and clients

Leadership

• Delegation - Delegates work assignments to Team; Matches the responsibility to the person;
• Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities;
• Provides recognition for results.
• Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff;
• Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth;
• Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others;
• Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Organization

• Superior organizational and time management skills is required. Maintaining a clutter free office is required.
• Associate Attorney is responsible for themselves and their team to ensure company compliance in organizational and customer service standards.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Must properly supervise, coach and train members of Associate Attorney Team.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and LICENSES: Current California State Bar License and no prior complaints, disbarments or suspensions. Must also have a valid driver's license and be insurable. Associate Attorney may have no DUI's or reckless driving or other major traffic infractions.
• COMPUTER SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual should basic knowledge of computers, smartphones and tablets and be able to use email, and other software programs.
• PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an attorney at the firm.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is often required to stand and walk. The employee may also be required to drive for long periods of time within a given day. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

One of our portfolio companies, Pacific Workers', The Lawyers for Injured Workers, is an award-winning, premier California law firm dedicated exclusively to representing injured workers in workers' compensation claims. Founded in 2012, Pacific Workers' brings over 130 years of combined legal experience and has recovered more than $355 million in benefits for its clients. The firm aggressively advocates for healthcare, construction, emergency, and union workers against insurance companies and employers.

Pacific Workers' sets itself apart through a compassionate, client-first collaborative model that pairs each client with a dedicated team consisting of an experienced attorney, a case manager, and a case assistant to ensure seamless communication and maximize medical treatment, wage replacement, and settlement payouts.

Pacific Workers' is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

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