Associate (Birmingham)

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Workers' Compensation Partners

Supervisory 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 preferred

Physical 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.