Workers Compensation Defense Attorney

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.; California; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. seeks an experienced Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney to join our Staff Counsel team in California. The attorney will defend litigated workers’ compensation claims and manage cases from referral to dismissal, settlement, or trial.

Hybrid and remote work options are available, with possible assignment to the Glendale office. The role requires independent practice, coordination with adjusters, and effective communication to resolve claims efficiently.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice law in California.
• Minimum of 5 years’ litigation experience in workers’ compensation defense.
• Strong knowledge of current procedural and substantive law and applicable rules.
• Ability to analyze issues and develop effective strategies for pending cases.
• Experience preparing responsive pleadings, appearances, motions, and value of claims.

Responsibilities

• Handles a caseload defending workers’ compensation claims in coordination with the Claims team.
• Independently conducts depositions, pre-trial discovery, mediations, arbitrations, trials, or other required legal activities.
• Maintains daily communications with claim professionals and clients regarding evaluations of legal files.
• Provides legal advice to claim professionals as needed.
• Negotiates settlements as directed.
• Attends round tables.

Skills

Litigation experience

Workers' compensation

California law

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Education

Licensed to practice law in California

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney to join our Staff Counsel team in California. As part of a supportive and collaborative legal team, you will play a key role in achieving strong outcomes for our policyholders and business.

Position Overview:

As a member of our Staff Counsel group, this attorney will be primarily responsible for handling the defense of litigated claims made against companies in connection with workers’ compensation matters. This attorney will also be responsible for investigation and management of assigned cases from the inception of the claim referral to conclusion through dismissal, settlement, or trial, and working with adjusters and insureds to resolve claims as expeditiously and efficiently as possible. Hanover is committed to accommodating flexible work environments, including remote, hybrid and/or full assignment to its Glendale office.

In this role you will:

• Handles a caseload which includes the defense of workers’ compensation claims, working in conjunction with the Claims team;
• Independently conducts depositions, pre-trial discovery, mediations, arbitrations, trials, or any other legal activity required to resolve cases.
• Daily communications with claim professionals and clients concerning the evaluations of legal files.
• Provides legal advice to claim professionals as needed.
• Negotiates settlements as directed.
• Attend round tables.

What you need to apply:

• Attorneys must be licensed to practice law in California;
• Must have a minimum of 5 years’ litigation experience. Workers’ compensation defense, experience representing applicants or some combination of thereof is required.
• Must have a strong knowledge of current procedural and substantive law, as well as applicable federal, state, and administrative agency rules.
• Must demonstrate an ability to analyze issues, pro-actively develop effective strategies on pending cases, communicate regularly with claims professionals, document communications, and resolve cases as efficiently and effectively as possible.
• Must have solid experience in preparing responsive pleadings, handling appearances, motion practice, and valuation of claims, settlement and trials.
• Must be willing to work independently with minimal direction, handle matters efficiently, andbe willing to travel as necessary for court hearings, depositions, site inspections, client meetings, and other in-person events.