Associate Civil Litigation Attorney-St. Michael, MN

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.

About the role

We are looking for an Associate Civil Litigation Attorney for our St. Michael, MN location. An experienced Attorney in our fast-paced Business Litigation Department, focusing on general civil litigation matters and providing assistance with workers’ compensation defense claims.

Responsibilities

• Represent businesses and individuals in the defense of general civil litigation, including personal injury, subrogation, and employment claims cases.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• Conduct 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.
• Prepare clear and concise progress and status reports to client leadership teams, general counsel, risk management professionals, and claims adjusters.
• Appear before the Court of Administrative Hearings, the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, and state and federal district and appellate courts.
• Travel to represent and present 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 a 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 the business litigation practice.
• Support designated clients in a timely and professional manner.

Requirements

• 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.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota.

Skills

• 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.

Pay

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

Schedule

Hybrid Remote Schedule

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the responsibilities of the position, the work environment is fast-paced and may require additional hours to complete work. The physical demands include the ability to talk, hear, sit, use hands and fingers to type, handle or feel, stand, walk, and reach with arms and hands. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.