Legal Assistant I - Workers' Compensation

About the Office

The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the Office provides the City of Los Angeles (“City”) with the highest caliber of legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and playing a leading role in criminal justice reform to advising on homelessness initiatives, defending civil lawsuits and claims, and bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the People of the State of California. Guided by an overarching commitment to integrity, accountability and transparency, we seek collaborative team players who understand that fulfilling our mission is key to making a positive impact.

About the Division

The Workers’ Compensation Division is responsible for defending the City against claims litigated before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programs. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board is a state agency, which has exclusive jurisdiction over disputed employee claims for benefits for injuries arising out of employment. Within the Workers’ Compensation Division, the Subrogation Unit investigates and processes all cases in which Workers’ Compensation benefits and/or property damage have been paid on behalf of the City and/or City employees as a result of the negligence of a third party.

Responsibilities

Legal Assistants provide comprehensive support to Division Attorneys and coordinate with the City’s Personnel Department claims examiners. The position will oversee and direct support staff in preparing and managing cases from inception through final resolution. Key responsibilities include:

• Reviewing new and existing claims to determine eligibility and identify potential fraud;
• Preparing cases for trial and/or appeal;
• Coordinating and directing the scheduling of depositions;
• Arranging applicants’ medical examinations;
• Reviewing awards issued by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) and ADR Programs to assist in determining whether to pursue an appeal or process the award for payment;
• Telephone contact with members of the public, insurance companies, and various City departments;
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

The Legal Assistant position requires one of the following:

• At least six months of legal administrative experience which requires a thorough knowledge of legal procedures and terminology and independent judgment in analyzing, interpreting and reviewing legal documents; or
• Successful completion of one Legal Assistant (Paralegal) class (equivalent to 3 units), which includes emphasis on legal procedures, terminology and the ability to use independent judgment in analyzing, interpreting and reviewing legal documents. The course may have been taken through a college or university.

Additional requirements include:

• Self-motivated, quick learner, able to exercise independent judgment and work with a minimum of supervision;
• Ability to work well with other employees of this office, personnel from other agencies, and members of the public;
• Proficiency in the use of personal computer equipment;
• Ability to lift boxes (up to 25 lbs.) with or without accommodations;
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.

Schedule

The hours for this position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience administering workers’ compensation cases for an insurance company, a law firm, a self-insured private or public employer;
• Demonstrated writing skills and proficiency in Microsoft Word and Westlaw;
• Experience in civil law, including workers’ compensation litigation;
• Experience in criminal/civil claims investigation, evaluation of property damage, personal injury claims, account recovery processing and recovery, and other related legal work.

Benefits

Employees participate in the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS), which includes mandatory employee pension contributions through payroll deduction. The City also contributes toward the employee’s retirement benefit. Contribution rates are established by the applicable retirement system and may vary based on employee classification, membership status, and other factors.

Location and Parking

The Workers Compensation Division is located at 700 East Temple Street, Room 220, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location of the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney. This position requires regular onsite work. Employer-provided parking is limited and may not be available for this classification. Employees may be responsible for securing and paying for parking at nearby facilities.

Probation

Appointment to this exempt position (non Civil-Service) will be subject to a one (1) year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successful completion of the one (1) year probationary period will result in tenure with the office.