Associate Attorney - Workers' Compensation

Hedrickgardnerkincheloegarofalollc; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life

Short-term Disability

Long-term Disability

HRA

FSA

401K

Pet Insurance

Paid Holidays

3 weeks PTO

Job summary

Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP seeks an Associate Attorney to join our Workers' Compensation practice in North Carolina. The candidate will independently manage a caseload, advance discovery, and develop litigation strategies to defend claims for employers, insurers, and self-insured entities.

You will collaborate with experienced attorneys to handle depositions, motions, mediations, and hearings before the NC Industrial Commission.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina.
• Minimum of one (1) year of Workers' Compensation defense litigation experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of workers' compensation law, claims management, and litigation procedures.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills with ability to draft persuasive motions, briefs, and client correspondence.
• Deposition and mediation experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct depositions of claimants, witnesses, medical providers, and experts; prepare and argue motions; draft briefs and position statements; represent clients at mediations; and prepare for hearings before the NC Industrial Commission.
• Analyze and evaluate new and existing claims; review medical records; provide strategic guidance to clients.
• Manage discovery, negotiate settlements, prepare client reports, and maintain communication regarding strategy and developments.
• Build and maintain relationships with Hedrick Gardner attorneys, claims professionals, insurers, risk managers, employers, and opposing counsel.
• Effectively manage multiple matters in a fast-paced litigation environment.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Deposition experience

Mediation experience

Client communication

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school

Job description

Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP is seeking a motivated and talented Associate Attorney to join our established Workers' Compensation practice. This position offers the opportunity to represent employers, insurance carriers, and self-insured entities across a broad range of industries while gaining substantial hands‑on litigation experience in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

Associates in our Workers' Compensation practice partner closely with experienced attorneys to defend claims and advocate for clients throughout the litigation process. The successful candidate will independently manage a caseload, oversee critical deadlines, and develop effective legal strategies to achieve favorable outcomes for clients.

Responsibilities

• Conducting depositions of claimants, fact witnesses, medical providers, and expert witnesses; preparing and arguing motions; drafting legal briefs and position statements; representing clients at mediations; and preparing for and conducting hearings before the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
• Analyzing and evaluating new and existing claims, investigating factual and legal issues, reviewing and interpreting medical records, and providing practical, strategic guidance to clients throughout the life of a case.
• Managing all aspects of discovery, negotiating settlements, preparing comprehensive client reports, and maintaining regular communication with clients regarding litigation strategy, case developments, exposure assessments, and resolution opportunities.
• Building and maintaining strong professional relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders, including fellow Hedrick Gardner attorneys, claims professionals, insurance adjusters, risk managers, employers, medical experts, and opposing counsel.
• Effectively managing multiple matters in a dynamic litigation environment.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in the State of North Carolina. Minimum of one (1) year of Workers' Compensation defense litigation experience required. Demonstrated knowledge of workers' compensation law, claims management, and litigation procedures, with the ability to effectively manage a caseload from inception through resolution. Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to draft persuasive motions, briefs, position statements, and client correspondence. Deposition and mediation experience is strongly preferred, including experience taking and defending witness and medical provider depositions and participating in settlement negotiations. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with clients, claims professionals, employers, medical providers, opposing counsel, and administrative tribunals. Exceptional interpersonal skills and a commitment to providing outstanding client service while building and maintaining strong professional relationships. Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and proactively manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced litigation environment. Strong organizational and time‑management skills, with a keen attention to detail and the ability to consistently meet deadlines. Self‑motivated, results‑oriented, and eager to contribute to a collaborative and team‑focused practice.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a motivated workers' compensation defense attorney who combines strong legal writing and analytical abilities with practical litigation skills. Successful candidates will have experience handling depositions, mediations, and hearings, demonstrate exceptional client service, and possess the initiative and organization necessary to independently manage a busy caseload while contributing to the success of Hedrick Gardner's Workers' Compensation practice.

Work Environment

• Office Setting
• Hybrid work after an initial training period

Benefits

• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Short-term Disability
• Long-term Disability
• HRA
• FSA
• 401K
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• 3 weeks of PTO

Benefit Conditions

Waiting period may apply Only full-time employees eligible

Ability to commute/relocate

Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work.

Hedrick Gardner is committed to the equal employment opportunity of all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by loc