Senior Attorney - Worker

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, directs, and participates in litigation involving workers’ compensation lawsuits and other matters on behalf of the Authority.
• Handles own caseload of workers’ compensation cases through all phases of litigation.
• Initiates, researches, prepares, and presents opinions, briefs, arguments, and pleadings in litigation and arbitrations.
• Makes frequent appearances in court for hearings, arbitrations, and trials.
• Obtains and defends depositions, and prepares witnesses for trial.
• Gathers legal and medical research, drafts pleadings and motions, and completes and submits any forms, memoranda, briefs, and settlement agreements on behalf of the Authority’s General Counsel.
• Prepares memos and present cases to appropriate management or Settlement Committee for approval.

• Conducts research and provides advice and counsel directly to client departments and Third-Party Administrator (TPA). Works closely with Workers’ Compensation Department and the Authority’s TPA to handle claims in the best interest of the Authority. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the legal field.
• Works with more senior attorneys in “second chair” capacity on large workers’ compensation litigation.
• Works with claims adjusters to determine compensability and appropriate handling of claim.
• Manages work of paralegals and other support staff assigned to projects.
• Provides mentoring and other skill-development service for more junior attorneys and staff.
• Assists other departments with the collection/subrogation of workers’ compensation benefits caused by the negligence of third-parties.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Reporting to this position may include the following jobs:

• Paralegal
• Administrative Support

• Keeping abreast of new trends and innovations in the legal field.
• Maintaining good working relationships and communicating effectively with client departments and staff on all levels to achieve Authority goals and objectives.
• Managing multiple tasks simultaneously and handling stressful situations.
• Providing legal advice with efficiency and accuracy on behalf of the Authority.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited school of law and licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, plus three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney, of which one (1) year of experience was spent specializing in workers’ compensation claims, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required to maintain appropriate continuing legal education credits.

• Light to moderate lifting.
• Service Area Requirement:
  Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

• Detailed knowledge of Illinois Workers’ Compensation laws and regulations.
• Detailed knowledge of applicable federal and state laws.
• Detailed knowledge of principles and methods in drafting legal documents.
• Detailed knowledge of the methods and practices of legal research and investigation, judicial procedure, and the rules of evidence.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including word processing functions.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interrelate with Authority personnel of all levels and the public.
• Strong editing and drafting skills, and great attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills necessary for competent legal interpretation.
• Strong managerial and administrative skills to direct and coordinate the activities of the work team.
• Ability to coordinate multiple requests simultaneously while meeting multiple deadlines.
• Ability to provide effective solutions to CTA issues with integrity, initiative and creativity.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and possess analytical skills necessary for competent legal interpretation.

• General office environment.
• Makes…