Senior Staff Attorney Workers' Compensation

The Hartford; Morristown (NJ); Remote; USD 132,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hartford is seeking a Senior Staff Attorney to litigate workers’ compensation cases in New Jersey, with remote work flexibility and travel for in-person hearings as required. This role requires 7+ years of complex workers’ compensation experience and strong trial skills.

The ideal candidate will independently manage cases from inception to trial, provide in-house training, and collaborate with the staff legal team to deliver favorable outcomes for Hartford clients.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of legal practice experience handling complex/admitted/occupational/workers’ compensation matters, including trials and motions.
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and license to practice in New Jersey.
• Trial experience is necessary and essential.
• Excellent legal research, writing and communication skills; ability to work in a paperless environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex legal and factual issues and develop well-reasoned legal research.
• Independently create and present defense strategies for clients.
• Prepare pleadings, discovery, and briefs in collaboration with staff and paralegals.
• Partner with Claims to achieve optimal results for Hartford clients.
• Provide timely legal advice and communicate with clients, court, witnesses, and opposing counsel.
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for trials and hearings and argue appellate briefs.

Skills

Trial experience

Legal research

Legal writing

Self-directed

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Licensed in New Jersey

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Sr Staff Attorney - LM07DE

We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future. The Hartford currently has an in‑house opportunity for a Senior Staff Attorney to litigate cases in the North (Hackensack) and Western locations. This position is an ideal fit for an experienced Attorney with significant trial and litigation experience in Workers compensation Law. The Senior Staff Attorney will strive to deliver the best possible result in pending litigation. In this position the attorney reports to the Staff Legal Managing Attorney or Assistant Managing Attorney. The ideal candidate is an experienced Attorney with considerable trial experience and demonstrates the ability to independently handle cases from inception through trial.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex legal and factual issues, conduct extensive and develop well‑reasoned legal research.
• Independently create and present defense strategies on behalf of clients.
• Prepare pleadings, written discovery, opposition to MMTs, trial briefs in support of defense strategies in collaboration with your staff legal team of legal assistants and paralegals.
• Partner with our Claims Partners to achieve the best results for our Hartford client/ insured.
• Provide effective and timely communications, information, legal advice and other services to clients on legal and factual issues relative to the litigation.
• Communicate with the court, witnesses, opposing counsel and co‑counsel with professional diplomacy and discretion.
• Facilitate prompt, efficient and effective disposition of assigned cases.
• Independently prepare and present witnesses and evidence at trials and at judicial/administrative hearings and motions.
• Research, draft, file and argue appellate briefs in reviewing courts on behalf of clients.
• Participate in Team Huddles.
• Provide in‑house training to junior associates and/or claims partners.
• Participate in claims file reviews.
• Attend continuing legal education seminars to maintain high level of professional expertise.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of legal practice experience handling all forms of complex/admitted/occupational/dependency Workers’ Compensation cases including but not limited to trials, motions for med and temp etc.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from accredited law school and license to practice in the state of New Jersey.
• Trial experience is necessary.
• Positive minded and collaborative team‑player attitude.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Strong MS Office proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook).
• Self‑directed
• Strong computer skills, comfort working in paperless environment, on tasked based platform and the ability to quickly leverage new software as required.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize duties and time are a must.
• Demonstrated expertise and familiarity in the handling of claim cases and litigation.

Core Competencies Required

• Strategic Thinking
• Operational Excellence
• Leadership
• Business Knowledge and Decision Making
• Effective Relationships
• Excellent writing skills
• Strong communication skills

Why Join the New Jersey Staff Legal Office?

You will join an experienced and collaborative legal team (legal assistants, paralegals and 10 attorney colleagues) committed to litigation excellence, strong Claims partnerships, professional development, and exceptional client service. Our attorneys are trusted legal partners who handle substantive matters, exercise independent judgment, contribute to office initiatives, and help strengthen the capabilities of colleagues and business partners.

Additional Information

This position is a remote work opportunity however, our selected candidate will travel where required by a specific Judge or Court vicinage to in‑person hearings, trials, motions etc. within the following geography: North (Hackensack) and Western vicinages New Jersey.

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short‑term or annual bonuses, long‑term incentives, and on‑the‑spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is: $132,400 - $198,600.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Sex/Race/Color/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age