Description:
Job Description:For more than 170 years, The Hanover has been committed to delivering on our promises and being there when it matters the most. We live our values every day, demonstrating we CARE through our values, Sustainability initiatives and inclusive corporate culture.
Our Staff Counsel team is seeking an experienced Lead Workers' Compensation Defense Attorney licensed and residing in California. This role is anchored in our Glendale, CA office, and we offer true flexibility—in‑office, hybrid, or fully remote work arrangements for California‑based attorneys who want to practice with a well‑supported, collaborative legal team.
Position Overview: Independently investigates, manages and tries workers compensation cases. Other attorneys may be assigned to work under this attorney's direction where case complexity requires. Serve as mentor to developing attorneys.
In this role you will:
- Handles a case load of California workers' compensation cases, including high exposure losses.
- Provides direction and mentoring to others
- May assist Managing Attorney as needed in assigning cases, participating in roundtables, developing strategy, and/or evaluating staff attorneys and support staff
- What You Need To Apply:
- 10+ years of experience preferred
- Must be licensed to practice law in the state of California
- Must have workers' compensation trial experience
- Demonstrated ability to handle high exposure cases
- Admitted to the bar and must be licensed to practice law in the jurisdictions where assigned
- Able to work in a team environment with other attorneys, adjusters, claims professionals and support staff
- Computer literacy, including MS Word, Lexis/Westlaw, and daily management of e-mail and calendar
- Ability to travel 25% of the time (within the state of California)
- Ability to attend in-person meetings, in-person appearances/conferences trials at the WCAB
- Willing to travel outside of local county of residence
Negotiation Skills: Strong ability to consistently and significantly influence claim outcomes through highly effective negotiation techniques
Communication: Strong ability to deliberately and precisely exchange thoughts and opinions with one or more persons and to effectively translate legal language and ideas into layman's terms
Decision Making: Strong ability to arrive at a determination in moderate to complex situations after careful consideration of facts and law without undo procrastination
Organization Skills: Strong ability to categorize and prioritize work and information to effectively and efficiently maximize productivity
Investigative Skills: Proficiency in following up step by step on inquiry or observation and search and examine with care and accuracy. Consistently able to take evidence that may be used in reaching a legal conclusion
Legal Research: Proficiency in locating cases, treaties, codified laws and statutes aimed at the discovery and interpretation of law and to draw a reasonable and accurate conclusion or render an opinion there from
Courtroom Skills: Demonstrates exceptional courtroom behavior, attire and decorum and is an expert with the rules and regulations that govern proceedings and conduct in courts of law or other legal forums and tribunals. Provides the highest professional service to clients and claims professionals
Career Development: Takes proactive responsibility for their career development. Maintains the necessary skill levels.
Trial Skills: Has a first-rate ability to effectively present evidence and arguments of law to a judge or jury for determination of the facts at issue
Business/Industry: Has an interest and solid knowledge of current and possible future policies, practices, trends and information affecting The Hanover Insurance Group's businesses; Knowledgeable in the basic principles of workers' compensation insurance
Agile and Adaptive: Recognizes unexpected challenges and is able to be resilient, shift and remain on course.
Mentor and Teach: Willingness and ability to mentor and teach others.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
- Ability to use a personal computer and other standard office equipment
- Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods
- Required to work on-site as needed
- Ability to travel as necessary
- Ability to work hours in excess of 40 hours per week
- Ability to work in a fast paced, changing or stressful environment
- Ability to perform work in a noisy/loud work environment
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle
Career Development:
It's Not Just a Job, It's a Career, and We Are Here to Support You Every Step of The Way. We Want You to Be Successful and Fulfilled. Through On-The-Job Experiences, Personalized Coaching and Our Robust Learning and Development Programs, We Encourage You – at Every Level – to Grow and Develop.
