Associate

Classification: ExemptReports To: Workers' Compensation PartnersSupervisory Responsibilities: The Workers' Compensation Associate supervises his or her assigned Legal Assistant. To a lesser degree, the associate also supervises and delegates to paralegals.Job Summary:The Workers' Compensation Associate works on a team of Partners, other Associates, Paralegals and Legal Assistants handling high-volume cases that are fast-paced and often include medical records.Duties/Responsibilities:• Analytical skills: Ability to analyze and reason independently and apply law to facts of case.• Writing skills: Ability to communicate points and ideas clearly, effectively, and succinctly in written format. Proofreading (grammar, typos, etc.).• Verbal Skills: Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with clients, insurers, witnesses, and other counsel.• Timeliness of work: Consistently completes and submits assignments in a timely manner.• Flexibility under pressure: Ability to revise priorities based upon changes or needs, to follow through and meet deadlines, with accommodation of partners' schedules.• Identifies legal issues on his/her own: Exercises critical thinking by analyzing legal issues independently or asking for guidance when appropriate or confused by an issue.• Ethical practice of law: Understands and implements.• Case Understanding: Knowledge of technical/medical information for case development and advocacy, based on experience. Ability to recognize theme, issue, and goals in case and develop ways to achieve the desired end.• Judgment: Ability to make and willingness to accept responsibility for reasonable and correct decisions consistent with level of experience.• Creative approach to client problems: Resourceful and imaginative.• Handling of critical depositions: Ability to take deposition of opposing expert and plaintiff. Ability to defend/prepare client. • Mediation representation: Readiness to independently represent client at mediation.• Overall litigation skills: Readiness to take a major role at trial, as appropriate for experience. Continually makes the effort to further develop litigation skills.• Promotion/Development of existing clients: Takes advantage of available opportunities to strengthen relationships and build business with existing clients for associate's level of experience.• Promotion/Development of new clients: Takes advantage of available opportunities to market and secure new clients for associate's level of experience.• Participates in seminars, public speaking, and writing opportunities.• Time entry and billing: Timely and consistently enters and releases time into timekeeping software.• Accessibility/Accountability: Available in the office during regular hours, after hours, and on weekends. Required Skills/Abilities:• Detail-oriented and professional.• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks.• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.• Works and presents a positive and courteous demeanor with other attorneys and staff.• Conducts behavior outside the firm in a way that exemplifies the firm.• Flexible and adaptable in various situations and when interacting with many different personalities.• Ability to function in a team setting with Partners, Associates, and Support Staff.• Participates in firm committees, bar-related, and/or other outside legal activities.• Dependable with a respect to confidentiality and policies.Education and Experience:• Alabama Bar License• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-approved law school• Three years of workers' compensation experience in insurance defense preferredPhysical Requirements:• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.• Ability to stand, sit, walk, stoop, bend, kneel, and grip.• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.