Workers' Compensation Litigation Attorney

Workers' Compensation Litigation Attorney
Ohio (Hybrid) Cleveland/Euclid, Columbus, or Fairborn

The Opportunity

An established Ohio injury law firm with multiple offices statewide is adding a Litigation Attorney to its Workers' Compensation department. This is an associate-level seat reporting to a Pod Partner, with responsibility for managing the flow of workers' compensation cases through the litigation process from beginning to end. The attorney works closely with the firm's Workers' Compensation administrative team, its settlement group, and office management.

Location and Schedule

The role is hybrid and the firm is open to any of its office locations. Most of the litigation attorneys sit in the Euclid/Cleveland area, with one attorney in Fairborn and one in Columbus. Candidates are welcome from any of those markets as long as they are within reach of a firm office. Standard hours are 8:00 to 5:00. Occasional travel is expected for coverage at other office locations and for court appearances.

Compensation

Compensation is open and will be set based on experience. The firm is deliberately flexible here and evaluates candidate by candidate rather than working from a fixed band. This seat is paid above the firm's associate attorneys with little or no experience, and the firm has been clear that for an outstanding candidate it will do its best to meet salary expectations. Expect to be asked for your expectations early in the process so the conversation can be handled openly. A bonus incentive structure is also in place, laid out in full if the firm moves to an offer and discussed by the Partners during the interview process.

Benefits

Unlimited paid time off for attorneys. Firm-covered short-term disability. Full medical coverage for the attorney, with family members covered at the employee's expense. 401(k) eligibility on the same terms as the rest of the firm.

What You Will Do

• Draft and review all pleadings
• Attend court appearances
• Attend and take depositions
• Settle cases
• Review all discovery requests and responses
• Schedule depositions and court dates
• Research issues as necessary
• Prepare responses to motions

Experience and Credentials

• Undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor required
• Admission to the Ohio Bar required
• 3 to 5 years of trial experience, preferably more. Litigation and trial experience is the primary requirement for this search
• Workers' compensation experience is preferred and is a meaningful bonus, but it is not the gating factor. Attorneys with strong litigation backgrounds and lighter or adjacent workers' compensation exposure are encouraged to apply
• Competence in file management software and Microsoft Office

Skills and Competencies

• Effective and efficient communication, written and oral, including presentation
• Ability to demonstrate empathy for client challenges and struggles
• Management of clients and client expectations
• Ability to review medical documentation for content and appropriateness under a claim
• Strong client experience skills
• Effective negotiation skills
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment
• Superior analytical and organizational abilities
• Effective problem solving
• Detail oriented, with the ability to listen to clients and have them listen to you
• Professional demeanor and appearance, calm demeanor, strong work ethic, desire for growth
• Strong personal focus on meeting or exceeding individual, department, and firm goals

How Performance Is Measured

• Time from case settled to check received does not exceed 90 days
• A set number of settlements per month
• 70 percent of cases carry no fee reductions
• Fewer than 5 client terminations per year
• Fewer than 10 cases with no notes for more than 90 days

Development and Community

The firm supports growth in legal research, legal writing, oral advocacy, and negotiation. It also encourages board participation, attendance at networking and fundraising events, and community service, particularly through the firm or on its behalf.