Workers' Compensation Attorney - Former Professional Athletes

Job Description

Job Description

We are an applicant-side workers’ compensation firm with a primary focus on cumulative trauma claims brought by former professional athletes. Our clients competed at the highest level of professional sport - NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, and NHL - sustaining orthopedic and neurological injuries whose effects endure long after the final game. 

 

These are not routine cases. Our matters involve complex medical-legal disputes, hard-fought defenses, and nuanced statutory and case law analysis – and we have built a reputation at delivering results when the stakes are highest. We are seeking a motivated attorney to join our team who thrives under that pressure and wants to do meaningful work for clients who need a real advocate.

• Manage all phases of litigation from inception through resolution, including hearings, depositions, trials, and settlement
• Navigate the unique litigation complexities of former professional athletes' claims arising from lengthy careers across multiple teams and states
• Represent clients at Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) proceedings, including conferences, hearings, and trials
• Defend client depositions and take the depositions of medical-legal evaluators and witnesses
• Develop and execute strategic case plans tailored to each client's circumstances
• Negotiate settlements aligned with each client's best interests
• Maintain consistent communication with clients, opposing counsel, and legal staff
• Handle day-to-day case administration, including correspondence, deadlines, and pre-trial conference statements
• Stay current on California workers’ compensation law and WCAB procedures

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• Active member in good standing with the State Bar of California (required)
• Minimum three years of workers’ compensation litigation experience; five years preferred
• Strong working knowledge of WCAB rules, procedures, and applicable California labor codes
• Deposition and hearing experience required
• Ability to manage a full caseload efficiently and independently

Preferred

• Experience litigating professional athlete workers' compensation claims, including depositions, hearings, trials, and appellate proceedings
• Familiarity with a broad applicant caseload, including law enforcement claims and SIBTF filings
• Civil litigation background, including brief writing and court appearances
• Trial experience as applicant counsel with a records of published decisions
• Law review participation or published legal writing
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and persuasive advocacy skills
• A genuine appreciation for athletes and the demands of a professional sport

Preferred

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience
• Performance bonuses
• Paid time off
• Access to group medical and dental plans
• Collaborative, experienced legal team with a focused and expanding practice
• Meaningful work on complex, high-stakes cases for clients who need a strong advocate