Description:

Salary Range:
$125,000.00 To $165,000.00 Annually

Position Summary:
La Follette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames, is a dynamic, statewide civil litigation firm with over 60 years of excellence. We are seeking an Associate to join our team of bold and innovative legal professionals.

The Associate works on cases in defense of doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers. This position contributes to and executes comprehensive case strategy, client communication, and risk assessment while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and advocacy. The ideal candidate is a litigator with proven experience effectively representing clients on trial. Working collaboratively with a team of partners and legal staff, the Associate ensures effective and results-driven representation.

Position Responsibilities:

Manage a caseload of complex medical malpractice defense matters from inception through resolution, including pre-suit investigation, discovery, trial, and appeal.
Represent physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals in depositions, court hearings, trials, and other legal proceedings,providingsound legal advice to clients.
Serve as first- or second-chair trial counsel, building persuasive trial themes, strategy, opening statements, witness examinations, and closing arguments.
Managetrial preparation efforts, developing and executing comprehensive case strategies.
Performcase valuation and risk assessment in coordination with clients and insurance carriers, positioning cases for favorable resolution.
Appear andarguecontested hearings, case management conferences, and evidentiary motions with confidence and professionalism.
Direct settlement negotiations and mediations from a position of trial readinessto achieveoptimaloutcomes.
Providestrategic guidance to clients throughout the litigation process, including candid assessments of liability exposure, jury appeal, and trial risk.
Retain, prepare, and strategically position witnesses, including medical experts, and conduct direct and cross-examinations at trial.
Prepare and respond to discovery requests, including interrogatories and document production.
Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
Maintain and update case files, ensuring all documentation isaccurateand current.
Maintaincurrency onevolving medical malpractice law, standards, and procedural rules to ensure highly effective advocacy in court.
Work collaboratively with other attorneys, paralegals, and legal staff to ensure effective communication, excellent outcomes, and contribute to the firm's culture.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

A minimum of three (3) years of legal experience, preferably in civil defense.
Litigation experience, preferably in medical malpractice, a plus.
Must be licensed and in good standing with the California Bar Association.
J.D. from an accredited law school.
Ability to work both independently and as a contributing member of our team.
Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work under pressure, multitask, and meet deadlines, whilemaintainingattention to detail.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks.
Ability to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor.

Work Environment & Physical/Mental Requirements
The work environment is an office setting or home office, and the noise in the work environment is quiet to moderate. This position is regularly required to operate computers, landline and mobile phones, printers, copiers, and other office equipment and machinery.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, to speak and hear, and to frequently use hands and arms to handle, feel, and to reach. Specific vision requirements of this job include the ability to see closely and adjust focus.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to solve practical problems and deal with variables, interpret and/or follow a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form, and use and understand computer programs to analyze and solve business issues.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for the position and perform the essential functions if hired.