Description:
Position Summary:The Senior Pre-Litigation Attorney will oversee a high-value personal injury caseload from intake through settlement, ensuring every case is strategically managed to maximize client recovery. In addition to handling complex legal matters, this individual will serve as a leader within the department by mentoring junior attorneys and legal staff, collaborating with leadership, and contributing to the continued success and growth of the firm.
The ideal candidate has significant experience negotiating substantial settlements, excels in a fast-paced environment, and possesses the leadership skills necessary to help develop a high-performing pre-litigation team.
Essential Responsibilities:
Case Management & Strategy
- Independently manage a high-volume plaintiff personal injury caseload from intake through settlement.
- Develop legal strategy based on liability, damages, insurance coverage, and overall case value.
- Evaluate complex liability issues and exposure.
- Analyze medical records, treatment progression, future medical care, and damages.
- Monitor statutes of limitation and all litigation deadlines.
- Identify cases requiring litigation and facilitate a seamless transition to the litigation department.
Settlement Negotiations
- Prepare comprehensive settlement demand packages.
- Negotiate settlements with insurance adjusters and defense counsel.
- Maximize settlement value through strategic negotiations.
- Participate in mediations and settlement conferences when appropriate.
- Resolve complex and high-value personal injury claims efficiently.
Client Representation
- Serve as the primary legal advisor throughout the pre-litigation process.
- Maintain consistent communication with clients regarding case status and legal strategy.
- Build strong client relationships while delivering exceptional customer service.
- Counsel clients on settlement recommendations and case expectations.
Leadership & Mentorship
- Mentor and support junior attorneys.
- Provide legal guidance to case managers, legal assistants, and support staff.
- Review work product to ensure quality and compliance.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Assist with attorney training and departmental development.
Department Leadership
- Collaborate with firm leadership to improve operational efficiency.
- Assist in developing best practices and standard operating procedures.
- Support quality control initiatives and workflow improvements.
- Contribute to department performance, productivity, and client satisfaction goals.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Active California Bar license in good standing.
- Minimum of 8 years of plaintiff personal injury experience, with extensive experience handling pre-litigation matters.
- Proven ability to independently manage complex, high-value personal injury cases from intake through settlement.
- Demonstrated success negotiating significant settlements.
- Strong understanding of California personal injury law, insurance coverage, and damages analysis.
- Exceptional negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
- Prior leadership or mentoring experience within a legal team.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume plaintiff personal injury practice.
Preferred:
- Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
- Experience handling catastrophic injury, wrongful death, trucking, premises liability, and other complex personal injury matters.
- Experience supervising attorneys or legal support staff.
- Mediation and advanced settlement negotiation experience.
