Description:

Salary Range:
$170,000.00 To $250,000.00 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 a Senior Associate to join our team of bold and innovative legal professionals.

The Senior Associate manages cases in defense of doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers. This position leads and executes comprehensive client relations and development, case strategy, client communication, and risk assessment while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and advocacy. The ideal candidate is a seasoned litigator, with proven experience effectively developing clients and representing them in trial.

In addition to managing their own caseload, the Senior Associate collaborates closely with partners, mentors junior attorneys, and maintains consistent client communication to ensure 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, providing sound legal advice to clients.
Develop relationships with clients and potential clients, including insurance carriers, hospitals, physicians and others.
Serve as first- or second-chair trial counsel, building persuasive trial themes, strategy, opening statements, witness examinations, and closing arguments.
Lead trial preparation efforts, developing and executing comprehensive case strategies.
Develop case valuation and risk assessment strategies in coordination with clients and insurance carriers, positioning cases for favorable resolution.
Appear and argue in contested hearings, case management conferences, and evidentiary motions with confidence and professionalism.
Direct settlement negotiations and mediations from a position of trial readiness, leveraging litigation posture to achieve optimal outcomes.
Provide strategic 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 is accurate and current.
Maintain mastery of evolving medical malpractice law, standards, and procedural rules to ensure highly effective advocacy in court.
Mentor junior associates in deposition strategy, motion practice, and courtroom presentation, fostering development of trial skills within the team.
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 ten (10) years of legal experience, preferably in civil defense.
A minimum of five (5) years of litigation experience, preferably in medical malpractice.
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, while maintaining attention to detail.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks.
Ability to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor.
Ability to build and develop relationships with clients.

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.