Associate Attorney, Workers' Compensation

The Hartford•Brea, CA

10d•Remote

About The Position

The Hartford is seeking an Associate Attorney to join its Workers' Compensation group. This role involves supporting the defense of California workers' compensation matters and developing the skills to independently manage cases. The Associate Attorney will work closely with experienced attorneys and Claims Partners, gaining hands-on litigation exposure and deepening their expertise in workers' compensation within an in-house legal practice. This position is ideal for an early-career attorney looking for meaningful litigation experience, mentorship, and long-term growth in a supportive, collaborative environment. The role is primarily remote within California, with exceptions for required appearances.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Active license to practice law in California; member in good standing of the applicable Bar Association.
Legal internship, law clerkship, or early-career litigation experience preferred.
Familiarity with workers’ compensation or insurance-related litigation is a plus.
Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate in a matrixed legal and claims environment.
Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint) and comfort learning legal technology tools.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and grow toward independent case handling.
Associate Attorney: 0–2 years of legal practice experience, including internships or early litigation exposure; experience with California workers’ compensation is helpful but not required.
Currently seeking applicants who reside in California.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with workers’ compensation or insurance-related litigation is a plus.

Responsibilities

Assist in handling California workers’ compensation defense matters under the guidance of senior attorneys.
Support case strategy development through factual investigation, legal research, and file analysis.
Draft pleadings, discovery responses, motions, and petitions with appropriate supervision and feedback.
Prepare for and participate in depositions, hearings, trials, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
Communicate case status and legal analysis to Claims Partners and internal stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.
Coordinate with opposing counsel, WCAB staff, and external vendors consistent with office procedures.
Participate in team huddles, file reviews, and case strategy discussions to enhance legal outcomes and learning.
Maintain compliance with continuing legal education requirements and stay current on changes in California workers’ compensation law and WCAB procedures.