Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney

Goodwin Recruiting; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Hybrid work

Mentorship program

Competitive bonus possible

Job summary

A well-established California law firm seeks a junior workers’ compensation defense attorney to gain hands-on litigation exposure and mentorship. You’ll manage deadlines, draft pleadings, and support depositions while developing independent case management skills in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

This role offers a competitive base salary with bonus potential, comprehensive benefits, and hybrid work flexibility.

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license required.
• 5–9 years of legal experience, workers’ compensation defense preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in litigation and workers’ compensation law.
• Proven ability to manage deadlines in a high-volume setting.
• Strong legal writing and communication skills.
• Eager to learn, coachable and responsive to feedback.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing an active caseload of workers’ compensation defense matters.
• Appear at WCAB hearings with increasing independence over time.
• Draft pleadings, motions, discovery, and status reports.
• Support depositions, mediations, and settlement negotiations.
• Communicate with clients, insurance carriers, employers, and third-party administrators.
• Collaborate with senior attorneys to deepen litigation and case evaluation skills.

Skills

Bar admission

Legal experience

Litigation interest

Deadline management

Legal writing

Coachable

Job description

Join a well-established California law firm as a workers’ compensation defense attorney, where you’ll receive hands-on litigation exposure and genuine mentorship. This opportunity is ideal for a junior attorney seeking direct courtroom experience and a clear path to independent case management, all within a supportive, team-oriented environment.

Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive base salary plus bonus potential based on productivity
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
• Hybrid work flexibility (specifics vary by office)
• Supportive environment focused on professional growth and mentorship

Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney Requirements & Qualifications

• Active California Bar license
• 5-9 years of legal experience; experience in workers’ compensation defense strongly preferred
• Demonstrated interest in litigation and workers’ compensation law
• Proven ability to manage deadlines and work effectively in a high-volume setting
• Strong legal writing and communication skills
• Eager to learn, coachable, and responsive to feedback

Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney Preferred Background & Skills

• Previous experience in workers’ compensation or insurance defense (internship, clerkship, or associate-level)
• Comfortable appearing in court and communicating with judges
• Strong organizational and follow-through skills

Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Assist in managing an active caseload of workers’ compensation defense matters
• Appear at WCAB hearings with increasing independence over time
• Draft pleadings, motions, discovery, and status reports
• Support depositions, mediations, and settlement negotiations
• Communicate with clients, insurance carriers, employers, and third-party administrators
• Collaborate closely with senior attorneys to deepen litigation and case evaluation skills

This is a great fit for early-career attorneys looking to move beyond research and into meaningful advocacy and hands-on casework—in a firm where advancement is supported and success is recognized.