Associate Attorney-Workers Compensation Defense (St. Michael, MN)

 We are looking for an Associate Attorney for our St. Michael location. An experienced Attorney in our fast-paced Business Litigation Department, focusing on the defense of workers’ compensation claims and other civil litigation matters. The successful candidate must have exceptional legal research, writing, and critical thinking ability; high academic achievement; excellent verbal and written advocacy at motion hearings and trial; and the capacity to organize, prioritize and multi-task. Prior experience litigating workers’ compensation cases desired.

Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and minimum of two years of experience as an attorney.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Represent employers, insurers, and third-party administrators in the defense of disputed workers’ compensation claims in litigation before the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and Court of Administrative Hearings.
• Represent employers in the defense of employment-related claims in state and federal court, including wrongful discharge and all manner of discrimination claims.
• Represent businesses and individuals in the defense of general civil litigation, including defending personal injury cases.
• Research, investigate, and analyze workers’ compensation and civil litigation cases.
• Prepare pleadings in workers compensation and civil litigation cases.
• Complete discovery, including written discovery, witness interviews, and discovery depositions. Prepare timely, clear, and competent reporting to clients regarding same.
• Ability to analyze and summarize large volumes of complex medical data in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases.
• Work with expert witnesses, including independent medical and vocational examiners, to investigate, obtain, and effectively present expert opinions testimony and evidence in workers’ compensation and civil litigation.
• Effective research and writing relating to preparation of briefs and legal memoranda in motion, trial, and appellate practice in workers’ compensation and civil litigation cases.
• Preparation of clear and concise progress and status reports to client leadership teams, general counsel, risk management professionals, and claims adjusters. .
• Experience or competence appearing before the Court of Administrative Hearings, the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, and state and federal district and appellate courts. .
• Travel to represent and be comfortable presenting cases in front of district court judges and juries, and administrative law judges.
• Advocate for clients in pursuing and securing compromise settlement through alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.
• Handle all legal disputes that occur in business context for the business litigation practice area.
• Prepare, attend and advocate at motion hearings and trials
• Attend client and community events for business development opportunities
• Focus on growing business litigation practice
• Support designated clients in timely and professional manner.

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Competence analyzing and applying the Minnesota Worker’s Compensation Act and Rules of Practice, and case law interpreting same.
• Competence analyzing and applying the Minnesota and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and effective presentation of cases in Minnesota State and Federal Courts.
• Prior experience with motion practice, discovery disputes and trial preparation.
• Prior experience settling challenging disputes with contract negotiations or interpretations.
• Strong negotiation and persuasive skills with confidence in the courtroom.

Core Competencies:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking ability
• Strong verbal and written advocacy
• Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Highly professional with a strong customer service orientation, commitment to meeting deadlines, and ability to multitask in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Strong professional, independent thinking skills with strength in problem solving and the ability to offer constructive opinions and creative solutions.
• A team player who motivates and educates other team members.