Pre - Litigation Lawyer

Poulin | Willey Trial Lawyers; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Telemedicine

Counseling services

Flexible PTO

Paid holidays

401(k) with match

Tech equipment

Job summary

Poulin | Willey is seeking a Pre-Litigation Lawyer to join our growing personal injury team. This role provides legal oversight, strategic direction, and risk assessment during early case development and requires an active California Bar license in good standing.

You will work closely with the Foundation team to evaluate liability, damages, insurance coverage, medical treatment, and overall case value while identifying opportunities for early resolution and deciding when matters should

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Active California license in good standing.
• Experience in pre-litigation, litigation, or related personal injury contexts.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal strategy and oversight throughout the discovery phase.
• Evaluate liability, damages, and case value to maximize client outcomes.
• Guide Foundation team on case strategy, documentation, and evidence collection.
• Review insurance policies, UM/UIM, liens, and related issues impacting case value.
• Monitor medical treatment and evaluate positioning for demand, settlement, or litigation.
• Communicate with clients within 24 hours to provide guidance and maintain service.

Skills

Legal analysis

Strategy

Client advocacy

Negotiation

Communication

Litigation prep

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California Bar

Tools

Case management software

Legal research tools

Job description

Poulin | Willey is seeking a Pre - Litigation Lawyer to join our growing personal injury team. This role provides legal oversight, strategic direction, and risk assessment during the early stages of personal injury case development and requires an active California Bar license in good standing.

We are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients and are looking for an attorney with strong legal analysis, strategic decision-making, and client advocacy skills. You will work closely with the Foundation team to evaluate liability, damages, insurance coverage, medical treatment, and overall case value while identifying opportunities for early resolution and determining when matters should transition to litigation.

What You Will Do

• Manage an assigned caseload by providing legal strategy and oversight throughout the discovery phase.
• Evaluate liability, damages, insurance coverage, and overall case value to maximize client outcomes.
• Provide legal guidance to Foundation team members regarding case strategy, documentation, evidence collection, and next steps.
• Review insurance policies, coverage issues, UM/UIM claims, liens, and other legal matters affecting case value.
• Monitor medical treatment progression and evaluate whether cases are appropriately positioned for demand, negotiation, or litigation.
• Communicate with clients who request attorney contact within 24 hours, providing legal guidance and maintaining exceptional client service.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for early settlement while participating in negotiations as appropriate.
• Determine when cases should transition to litigation and provide strategic recommendations regarding timing and case posture.
• Monitor statutes of limitation and other critical legal deadlines to ensure compliance.
• Identify deficiencies in liability evidence, damages documentation, medical records, or insurance information and direct corrective action.
• Partner with Foundation leadership and cross-functional teams to improve legal strategies, workflows, and case outcomes.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active license and membership in California, in good standing.
• Experience practicing personal injury law in pre-litigation, litigation, insurance defense, plaintiff’s personal injury, or claims strategy.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and client relationship skills.
• Strong knowledge of personal injury law, insurance coverage, liability, damages, liens, and UM/UIM claims.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Benefits:

Eligible employees may receive medical and dental coverage with employer contributions, employer-paid life insurance, telemedicine and counseling services, flexible paid time off, paid holidays, a 401(k) with employer match after six months, and employer-provided technology/equipment. Eligibility and benefit terms are subject to applicable plans and company policies.

Note

This role can sit ANYWHERE in California! Must have an active CA Law License. The compensation for this role includes a base of $112,500 plus a bonus percentage. Pre- Litigation Lawyers typically average $125,000 - $150,000 in year one.