Senior Litigation Attorney

Are you driven to keep people safe? That’s what we do every day at Missouri Employers Mutual.
We’ve created a casual, values-driven work culture that’s making a positive impact on the way people live and work.
This is a place where you can grow with confidence — because that’s what safety and success really mean to us.
ABOUT THE COMPANY At MEM, we’ve created a casual, values-driven work culture that’s making a positive impact on the way people live and work.
We offer a hybrid work model, with positions to accommodate the changing needs of today’s employees.
Our team enjoys a variety of different work environments, which allows for more flexibility, less time spent commuting, and greater ability to address personal and family needs.
This is a place where you can grow with confidence – because that’s what safety and success really mean to us.
MEM is headquartered in Columbia, MO, and our virtual team serves our policyholders and partners from across the U.
S.
JOB PURPOSE This position will provide efficient and skilled legal representation to MEM and/or its policyholders in workers' compensation litigation through settlement, trial, or appeal, and to issue advisory opinions on legal issues, including issues of policy inception and coverage as appropriate.
RESPONSIBILITIES Manage high exposure disputes and litigation, including trials and appeals to Labor & Industrial Relations Commission and Courts of Appeals.
Provide legal advice on complex matters including but not limited to; conflicts, discovery, lost time, medical treatment, permanent partial disability, vocational issues, occupational diseases, firefighter cancer, fatal cases, mesothelioma, permanent total disability, and other complex or serious cases.
Appear in all state courts as designated and before all Workers Compensation Division administrative law judges in all pre-trial, trial, and post-trial proceedings, including appeals.
Act as lead counsel at trials and hearings of workers compensation cases throughout the assigned state.
Communicate with the court, witnesses, opposing counsel and co-counsel with professional diplomacy and discretion.
Independently conduct depositions and other discovery of lay, medical and expert witnesses, approved by claims representatives.
Prepare complex pleadings, written discovery, depositions, motions and briefs in support of defense strategies with autonomy.
Independently create and present legal defense strategies.
When applicable, prepare and present witnesses and evidence at trials, judicial/administrative hearings, arbitrations and alternative dispute resolutions.
Conduct depositions and other discovery of lay, medical and expert witnesses, approved by claims representatives.
Prepare complex pleadings, written discovery, depositions, motions and briefs in support of defense strategies with autonomy.
Negotiate settlement of workers compensation claims pursuant to authority granted by claims representatives on an as needed basis.
Conduct legal research and prepare written opinions as well as give informal advice to claims representatives, claims management and other departments.
Contribute to the management of partnering relationships with internal clients, particularly the claims team, building effective working relationships and providing high-quality professional services to support in delivering business strategy and plans.
May assist in the review of outside attorney work-product and billings and evaluate litigation outcomes.
Includes assisting in the audit of claims files for compliance by claims representatives with litigation guidelines and adherence to basic legal principles in the adjustment of claims.
Identifies and recommends industry best practices.
May be involved with the potential implementation of any new practices or techniques.
EDUCATION Juris Doctor Degree-licensed in Illinois and Missouri EXPERIENCE A minimum of seven years of experience in the practice of law managing complex legal issues with solid emphasis in insurance law and/or workers' compensation law.
Our home office is located in vibrant Columbia, Missouri — #6 in Livability’s 2019 Best Places to Live.