Deputy City Attorney

Position Summary

The Workers’ Compensation Team is a collaborative group of ten attorneys, two legal secretaries and one paralegal. This team represents City departments in all workers’ compensation matters at the Workers Compensation Appeal Board and within the City’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program (carve-out). This team engages in extensive discovery, negotiation, settlement, litigation, trial, and appellate work.

This team advises the Department of Human Resources, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and other departments on developing workers’ compensation issues, including recent legislative changes and other legal developments.

Lastly, this team handles all subrogation matters on behalf of the City when a City employee is injured on the job by a negligent third party.

Duties and Responsibilities

Attorneys on the Workers’ Compensation Team litigate and defend the City against all workers’ compensation claims filed by employees. Attorneys advise claims adjusters on general questions under state laws governing workers’ compensation issues. Team deputies primarily litigate and defend claims but will also advise departments as needed on workers compensation and return to work issues.

For the current opening, the Office seeks an attorney with expertise and experience in workers’ compensation laws and practice, including significant trial and reconsideration experience at both the Workers Compensation Appeal Board and in an ADR program setting. This includes the ability to rate and analyze medical reports, value and recommend settlements to our claims adjusters, conduct extensive discovery, depose injured workers and physicians, and effectively represent and advocate for the City in proceedings.

Qualifications and Prior Experiences

Minimum Qualifications
• Licensed to practice law in California.

Desired Qualifications
• Five or more years of legal experience, including experience in all subject matters noted above.
• Excellent oral and written communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to draft and review Petitions, Points and Authorities, and Appeals.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work directly with the client in a collaborative environment while maintaining appropriate professional objectivity.
• Ability to assume responsibility quickly and work independently and efficiently.
• Ability to manage and appropriately balance an active workload and adjust to occasional workload increases.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.