PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Plans, directs, and participates in litigation involving workers’ compensation lawsuits and other matters on behalf of the Authority.
o Handles own caseload of workers’ compensation cases through all phases of litigation.
o Initiates, researches, prepares, and presents opinions, briefs, arguments, and pleadings in litigation and arbitrations.
o Makes frequent appearances in court for hearings, arbitrations, and trials.
o Obtains and defends depositions, and prepares witnesses for trial.
o 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.
o 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.
o Works with claims adjusters to determine compensability and appropriate handling of claim.
o Manages work of paralegals and other support staff assigned to his/her projects.
o Provides mentoring and other skill-development service for more junior attorneys and staff.
o Assists other departments with the collection/subrogation of workers’ compensation benefits caused by the negligence of third-parties.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to this position may include the following jobs:
Job Title
• Paralegal
• Administrative Support
CHALLENGES
• 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 efficiently and accurately on behalf of the Authority.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• 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.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• 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.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• 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 work 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 in 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.
WORKING CONDITIONS
• General office environment.
• Makes regular site visits to non-office locations (e.g., court and CTA field locations)
EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED
• Standard office equipment.
• Personal computer, telephone, trial visual aids equipment, on-line legal research, and litigation support software.