Associate Civil Litigation Attorney-St. Michael, MN

Description

Founded in 1965, Messerli Kramer is a Top 20 Minnesota law firm with locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Michael, Plymouth and Wisconsin. We have a hard-earned reputation within the business community of providing sound, reasoned and comprehensive legal services. Messerli Kramer serves individuals and businesses through three unique, yet complementary divisions. We represent a variety of clients across a series of practice groups: Banking and Finance, Litigation, Corporate and Estate Planning, Commercial Real Estate and Family Law. 

Requirements

We are looking for an Associate Attorney for our St. Michael, MN location. An experienced Attorney in our fast-paced Business Litigation Department, focusing on civil litigation matters and provide assistance the workers’ compensation defense claims. The successful candidate must have exceptional legal research, writing, and critical thinking ability; high academic achievement; excellent verbal and written advocacy at motion hearings and trial; and the capacity to organize, prioritize and multi-task. Prior experience in civil litigation cases desired. Exposure to workers compensation defense cases helpful. 

Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and minimum of two years of experience as an attorney. 

 Essential Functions and Duties:

· Represent businesses and individuals in the defense of general civil litigation, including defending personal injury cases. Also represent employers, insurers, and third-party administrators in the defense of disputed workers’ compensation claims in litigation before the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and Court of Administrative Hearings. 

· Represent employers in the defense of employment-related claims in state and federal court, including wrongful discharge and all manner of discrimination claims.

· Research, investigate, and analyze workers’ compensation and civil litigation cases. 

· Prepare pleadings in either workers compensation and civil litigation cases.

· Complete discovery, including written discovery, witness interviews, and discovery depositions. Prepare timely, clear, and competent reporting to clients regarding same.

· Ability to analyze and summarize large volumes of complex medical data in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases.

· Work with expert witnesses, including independent medical and vocational examiners, to investigate, obtain, and effectively present expert opinions testimony and evidence in workers’ compensation and civil litigation.

· Effective research and writing relating to preparation of briefs and legal memoranda in motion, trial, and appellate practice in workers’ compensation and civil litigation cases. 

· Preparation of clear and concise progress and status reports to client leadership teams, general counsel, risk management professionals, and claims adjusters. . 

· Experience or competence appearing before the Court of Administrative Hearings, the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, and state and federal district and appellate courts. . 

· Travel to represent and be comfortable presenting cases in front of district court judges and juries, and administrative law judges. 

· Advocate for clients in pursuing and securing compromise settlement through alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.

· Handle all legal disputes that occur in business context for the business litigation practice area. 

· Prepare, attend and advocate at motion hearings and trials

· Attend client and community events for business development opportunities

· Focus on growing business litigation practice 

· Support designated clients in timely and professional manner. 

Required Knowledge and Experience:

· Minimum of two years of practicing law in the state of Minnesota.

 Prior experience with motion practice, discovery disputes and trial preparation. 

· Prior experience settling challenging disputes with contract negotiations or interpretations. 

· Strong negotiation and persuasive skills with confidence in the courtroom. 

Core Competencies:

· Strong verbal and written communication skills.

· Strong critical thinking ability

· Strong verbal and written advocacy   

· Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.  

· Highly professional with a strong customer service orientation, commitment to meeting deadlines, and ability to multitask in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.  

· Strong professional, independent thinking skills with strength in problem solving and the ability to offer constructive opinions and creative solutions. 

· A team player who motivates and educates other team members.  

Compensation and Bonus Information

Base compensation will vary based on level of experience. Associate compensation range $100,000-$130,000. Associate Attorneys are also eligible for monthly source and annual discretionary bonus incentives based on performance.

Benefits

· Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

· HSA & FSA Accounts

· Employer Contribution to HSA if enrolled in High Deductible Health Insurance plan

· 401K, with 4% company contribution (after completion of 1 year of service)

· Paid time off 

· Paid company holidays

· Company Paid Basic Life Insurance

· Employee Assistance Program

· Annual Marketing & Business Development budget 

· Bar license and CLE reimbursements

· Cell phone reimbursement

· Gym reimbursement

· Hybrid Remote Schedule  

We conduct criminal background checks on all individuals offered employment. 

Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at 612.672.3600 or email [email protected].

Messerli Kramer is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Messerli Kramer to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, military status, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the person in this position will encounter. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a professional, fast paced office environment that may require additional hours to complete work.  

The physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. If an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of the position, Messerli Kramer will evaluate whether a reasonable accommodation can be made to enable the employee to perform the described essential functions of the position. Generally, due to the nature of this office position, while performing the responsibilities of the position, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to type, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.