Attorney – Medical Malpractice Defense

About the role

Our Medical Malpractice team specializes in providing detailed and evidence-driven defense of hospitals, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers throughout Nebraska. The established Medical Malpractice team is growing and is looking to add another attorney. The Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney is an active litigation position spanning from pre-suit investigations through trials and appeals. This includes witness and client interviews, legal and medical research, drafting and responding to written discovery, working and collaborating with medical experts, conducting and defending depositions, preparing court filings, handling motion hearings, engaging in settlement negotiations, providing strategic counsel to clients, and handling a variety of pretrial and trial strategy and work. Strong analytical skills and an interest in managing and learning about complex medical issues are critical. Litigation experience is strongly preferred. The Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney works on the Medical Malpractice team and reports directly to the Managing Partner of the Firm. This is a full-time position generally working approximately forty to fifty (40–50) hours per week; some additional hours may be needed to meet Firm operational needs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-litigation investigation of claims
• Attend and conduct initial investigative meetings with clients and witnesses
• Clearly and effectively communicate with clients and the managing attorney(s) to understand the client’s goals, address concerns, strategize a cohesive defense theme, and build and develop positive client relations
• Strategize and collaborate with medical and other experts
• Analyze medical records
• Prepare discovery and respond to requests (admissions, disclosures, interrogatories, orders, etc.)
• Draft pleadings, motions, and briefs across a variety of legal and evidentiary issues, including motions for summary judgment, motions to exclude expert testimony, and pretrial motions
• Attend, manage, and advocate for clients at hearings and other court proceedings
• Defend and take depositions of clients, opposing parties, fact witnesses, and experts
• Negotiate settlements with opposing counsel, including through the mediation process
• Conduct a variety of legal and medical research, including the impact of case law, statutes, regulations, and other materials on defense strategy
• Persuasively communicate (orally and in writing) with courts, counsel, experts, mediators, and other individuals
• Handle complex legal and medical problems utilizing initiative, creativity, curiosity, and sound professional judgment
• Work both independently and as a contributing team member
• Manage a caseload and meet deadlines
• Mentor and delegate to support staff

Qualifications

Core competencies

• Strong analytical skills
• Extremely detail-oriented with demonstrated ability to multitask
• Strong organizational, communication, delegation, and relationship-building skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with courtroom experience strongly preferred
• Desire to handle and learn about complex medical issues
• Ability to prioritize while meeting all deadlines and demonstrating a high level of reliability and efficiency
• Ability to work in a very fast-paced environment and adapt to changes
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Must work well in a team-oriented environment
• Desire to always be learning and improving
• Timely and efficient work product while setting tasks/goals and following through to achieve the highest level of completion
• Ability to manage caseload and work independently

Required education and experience

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
• 3+ years litigation experience preferred

The Firm reserves the right to consider experience in lieu of education and to determine the best combination of education and experience appropriate for the position.

Physical and mental demands

Physical demands

• Ability to regularly utilize a computer keyboard, monitor, and other electronic equipment to prepare reports, communicate, and perform other duties
• Ability to endure a sedentary type of work requiring a great deal of sitting at a computer
• Ability to work at least forty (40) hours a week
• Ability to read and interpret legal documents
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance, meet deadlines, and perform work duties in a timely manner

Mental demands

• Ability to work effectively and efficiently and remain poised in high-stress and conflict situations
• Ability to simultaneously address multiple complex problems
• Ability to multitask without loss of efficiency or accuracy
• Ability to sustain attention with or without distractions
• Ability to interact and communicate professionally and appropriately with a variety of individuals
• Ability to meet time-sensitive deadlines
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance, meet deadlines, and perform work duties in a timely manner