Lead Workers Compensation Attorney

The Hanover Insurance Group•Glendale, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

For more than 170 years, The Hanover has been committed to delivering on our promises and being there when it matters the most. We live our values every day, demonstrating we CARE through our values, Sustainability initiatives and inclusive corporate culture. Our Staff Counsel team is seeking an experienced Lead Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney licensed and residing in California. This role is anchored in our Glendale, CA office, and we offer true flexibility—in‑office, hybrid, or fully remote work arrangements for California‑based attorneys who want to practice with a well‑supported, collaborative legal team. Position Overview: Independently investigates, manages and tries workers compensation cases. Other attorneys may be assigned to work under this attorney’s direction where case complexity requires. Serve as mentor to developing attorneys.

Requirements

10+ years of experience preferred
Must be licensed to practice law in the state of California
Must have workers’ compensation trial experience
Demonstrated ability to handle high exposure cases
Admitted to the bar and must be licensed to practice law in the jurisdictions where assigned
Able to work in a team environment with other attorneys, adjusters, claims professionals and support staff
Computer literacy, including MS Word, Lexis/Westlaw, and daily management of e-mail and calendar
Ability to travel 25% of the time (within the state of California)
Ability to attend in-person meetings, in-person appearances/conferences trials at the WCAB
Willing to travel outside of local county of residence
Advocacy: Exceptional ability to advocate on behalf of Hanover’s insureds in workers’ compensation disputes
Negotiation Skills: Strong ability to consistently and significantly influence claim outcomes through highly effective negotiation techniques
Communication: Strong ability to deliberately and precisely exchange thoughts and opinions with one or more persons and to effectively translate legal language and ideas into layman's terms
Decision Making: Strong ability to arrive at a determination in moderate to complex situations after careful consideration of facts and law without undo procrastination
Organization Skills: Strong ability to categorize and prioritize work and information to effectively and efficiently maximize productivity
Investigative Skills: Proficiency in following up step by step on inquiry or observation and search and examine with care and accuracy. Consistently able to take evidence that may be used in reaching a legal conclusion
Legal Research: Proficiency in locating cases, treaties, codified laws and statutes aimed at the discovery and interpretation of law and to draw a reasonable and accurate conclusion or render an opinion there from
Courtroom Skills: Demonstrates exceptional courtroom behavior, attire and decorum and is an expert with the rules and regulations that govern proceedings and conduct in courts of law or other legal forums and tribunals. Provides the highest professional service to clients and claims professionals
Career Development: Takes proactive responsibility for their career development. Maintains the necessary skill levels.
Trial Skills: Has a first-rate ability to effectively present evidence and arguments of law to a judge or jury for determination of the facts at issue
Business/Industry: Has an interest and solid knowledge of current and possible future policies, practices, trends and information affecting The Hanover Insurance Group’s businesses; Knowledgeable in the basic principles of workers' compensation insurance
Agile and Adaptive: Recognizes unexpected challenges and is able to be resilient, shift and remain on course.
Mentor and Teach: Willingness and ability to mentor and teach others.

Responsibilities

Handles a case load of California workers’ compensation cases, including high exposure losses.
Provides direction and mentoring to others
May assist Managing Attorney as needed in assigning cases, participating in roundtables, developing strategy, and/or evaluating staff attorneys and support staff