Assistant City Attorney - Workers' Compensation | Employment Section | Civil Division

City of Seattle, WA•Seattle, WA

56d•Hybrid

About The Position

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney's Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing. The Seattle City Attorney's Office seeks an attorney with experience in workers' compensation law and litigation to join eleven other Assistant City Attorneys, four paralegals, and two legal assistants in the Employment Section. This position reports to the Employment Section Director and is supported by a paralegal dedicated to the workers' compensation portfolio. Our attorneys play a critical role in advising on and litigating legal issues arising from Seattle's diverse workforce of over 10,000 employees in various City departments. Employment Section attorneys are generalists in the field of labor and employment and handle all aspects of litigation in state court, federal court, and administrative forums. The Employment Section's day-to-day work is dynamic and fast-paced. Attorneys are responsible for all aspects of litigation, including setting strategy, discovery, preparing and arguing motions, overseeing mediation and settlement, and taking cases to trial and through any appeal. We take a collaborative, team-oriented approach to litigation and advice work that is essential for building effective teams and relationships with City Departments and their leadership. Employment attorneys implement the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative in all aspects of their work.

Requirements

Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association OR licensure in another state, with the ability to complete the process of obtaining membership within four (4) months of an offer of employment.
Expertise in Washington's Industrial Insurance Act and related workers' compensation laws, civil rules and procedures, as well as state and federal employment leave laws.
Experience litigating workers' compensation matters at the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and in Superior Court, including the ability to first-chair complex litigation and appeals.
Experience advising public entities or self-insured clients on a variety of issues related to workers ' compensation, including adjudication of benefits, structured settlements, third-party liens, and investigations for willful misrepresentation.
Experience in civil litigation, including discovery, taking witness testimony, motion practice, oral argument, and brief writing.
Ability to independently and efficiently manage a portfolio by meeting deadlines, identifying and adapting priorities, and navigating a fast-paced environment.
Ability to develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with clients and colleagues.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines set by courts and clients.

Nice To Haves

Jury trial experience

Responsibilities

Advise the Workers' Compensation Unit and human resources professionals throughout the City regarding workers' compensation issues, including but not limited to: adjudication of benefits, structured settlements, third-party liens, and investigations for willful misrepresentation.
Advise all City department clients on the intersection of Washington's Industrial Insurance Act with disability accommodations, leaves of absence, employee relations, labor relations, wage and hour law, grievances, EEO investigations, tort claims, and Washington's Public Records Act.
Appear on behalf of the City and litigate appeals before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, superior courts, and appellate courts.
Conduct discovery, including drafting written interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, and taking witness testimony.
Manage e-discovery and, with paralegal support, collect, organize, assess, and produce electronically stored information in a manner that complies with court rules and ethical obligations.
Draft motions for summary judgment and conduct other motion practice as required.
Participate in mediation conferences, as well as negotiate and draft settlement agreements.

Benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees.
This position is also eligible for executive and merit leave.
City Attorney's Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program.

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