Seattle City Attorney's Office
Assistant City Attorney - Workers' Compensation | Employment Section | Civil Div
Seattle City Attorney's Office, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Assistant City Attorney - Workers' Compensation
Position Description
With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and the third‑largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self‑examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office seeks an attorney with experience in workers’ compensation law and litigation to join eleven other Assistant City Attorneys, four paralegals, and two legal assistants in the Employment Section. This position reports to the Employment Section Director and is supported by a paralegal dedicated to the workers’ compensation portfolio. Our attorneys play a critical role in advising on and litigating legal issues arising from Seattle’s diverse workforce of over 10,000 employees in various City departments. Employment Section attorneys are generalists in labor and employment and handle all aspects of litigation in state court, federal court, and administrative forums.
The Employment Section’s day‑to‑day work is dynamic and fast‑paced. Attorneys are responsible for all aspects of litigation, including setting strategy, discovery, preparing and arguing motions, overseeing mediation and settlement, and taking cases to trial and through any appeal. We take a collaborative, team‑oriented approach that is essential for building effective teams and relationships with City Departments and their leadership. Employment attorneys implement the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative in all aspects of their work.
Job Responsibilities
Advise the Workers’ Compensation Unit and human resources professionals on workers’ compensation issues, including adjudication of benefits, structured settlements, third‑party liens, and investigations for willful misrepresentation.
Advise all City department clients on the intersection of Washington’s Industrial Insurance Act with disability accommodations, leaves of absence, employee relations, labor relations, wage and hour law, grievances, EEO investigations, tort claims, and Washington’s Public Records Act.
Appear on behalf of the City and litigate appeals before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, superior courts, and appellate courts.
Conduct discovery, including drafting written interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, and taking witness testimony.
Manage e‑discovery and, with paralegal support, collect, organize, assess, and produce electronically stored information in compliance with court rules and ethical obligations.
Draft motions for summary judgment and conduct other motion practice as required.
Participate in mediation conferences and negotiate and draft settlement agreements.
Qualifications
Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association or licensure in another state, with the ability to complete membership within four (4) months of offer.
Expertise in Washington’s Industrial Insurance Act and related workers’ compensation laws, civil rules, and procedures, as well as state and federal employment leave laws.
Experience litigating workers’ compensation matters at the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and in Superior Court, including first‑chairing complex litigation and appeals.
Experience advising public entities or self‑insured clients on workers’ compensation, including adjudication of benefits, structured settlements, third‑party liens, and investigations for willful misrepresentation.
Experience in civil litigation, including discovery, witness testimony, motion practice, oral argument, and brief writing; jury trial experience is desired.
Ability to independently manage a portfolio by meeting deadlines, prioritizing, and navigating a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to develop and maintain positive, productive relationships with clients and colleagues.
Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines set by courts and clients.
Application Process
Complete the online City of Seattle Application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle.
Attach a cover letter describing your interest, a résumé, and a legal writing sample of less than 10 pages (an excerpt from a larger sample) in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format.
Submit all documents before the closing date listed in the posting. Questions about the application may be directed to LAW_HR@seattle.gov.
Additional Information Race and Social Justice Initiative
– The City of Seattle requires all employees to contribute to ending institutional and structural racism by working toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.
Compensation
– The 2025 annual salary ranges from $55.61 to $89.50 per hour. Salaries are not subject to negotiation.
Benefits
– The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick leave and paid parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, long‑term disability insurance, executive and merit leave, and a defined benefits retirement plan.
Workplace Environment
– The Seattle City Attorney’s Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees may work a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days remote, subject to change.
Who May Apply
– This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.
The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics.
Questions?
Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.
Employment Details
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Legal
Industry: Government Administration
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With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and the third‑largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self‑examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office seeks an attorney with experience in workers’ compensation law and litigation to join eleven other Assistant City Attorneys, four paralegals, and two legal assistants in the Employment Section. This position reports to the Employment Section Director and is supported by a paralegal dedicated to the workers’ compensation portfolio. Our attorneys play a critical role in advising on and litigating legal issues arising from Seattle’s diverse workforce of over 10,000 employees in various City departments. Employment Section attorneys are generalists in labor and employment and handle all aspects of litigation in state court, federal court, and administrative forums.
The Employment Section’s day‑to‑day work is dynamic and fast‑paced. Attorneys are responsible for all aspects of litigation, including setting strategy, discovery, preparing and arguing motions, overseeing mediation and settlement, and taking cases to trial and through any appeal. We take a collaborative, team‑oriented approach that is essential for building effective teams and relationships with City Departments and their leadership. Employment attorneys implement the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative in all aspects of their work.
Job Responsibilities
Advise the Workers’ Compensation Unit and human resources professionals on workers’ compensation issues, including adjudication of benefits, structured settlements, third‑party liens, and investigations for willful misrepresentation.
Advise all City department clients on the intersection of Washington’s Industrial Insurance Act with disability accommodations, leaves of absence, employee relations, labor relations, wage and hour law, grievances, EEO investigations, tort claims, and Washington’s Public Records Act.
Appear on behalf of the City and litigate appeals before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, superior courts, and appellate courts.
Conduct discovery, including drafting written interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, and taking witness testimony.
Manage e‑discovery and, with paralegal support, collect, organize, assess, and produce electronically stored information in compliance with court rules and ethical obligations.
Draft motions for summary judgment and conduct other motion practice as required.
Participate in mediation conferences and negotiate and draft settlement agreements.
Qualifications
Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association or licensure in another state, with the ability to complete membership within four (4) months of offer.
Expertise in Washington’s Industrial Insurance Act and related workers’ compensation laws, civil rules, and procedures, as well as state and federal employment leave laws.
Experience litigating workers’ compensation matters at the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and in Superior Court, including first‑chairing complex litigation and appeals.
Experience advising public entities or self‑insured clients on workers’ compensation, including adjudication of benefits, structured settlements, third‑party liens, and investigations for willful misrepresentation.
Experience in civil litigation, including discovery, witness testimony, motion practice, oral argument, and brief writing; jury trial experience is desired.
Ability to independently manage a portfolio by meeting deadlines, prioritizing, and navigating a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to develop and maintain positive, productive relationships with clients and colleagues.
Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines set by courts and clients.
Application Process
Complete the online City of Seattle Application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle.
Attach a cover letter describing your interest, a résumé, and a legal writing sample of less than 10 pages (an excerpt from a larger sample) in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format.
Submit all documents before the closing date listed in the posting. Questions about the application may be directed to LAW_HR@seattle.gov.
Additional Information Race and Social Justice Initiative
– The City of Seattle requires all employees to contribute to ending institutional and structural racism by working toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.
Compensation
– The 2025 annual salary ranges from $55.61 to $89.50 per hour. Salaries are not subject to negotiation.
Benefits
– The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick leave and paid parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, long‑term disability insurance, executive and merit leave, and a defined benefits retirement plan.
Workplace Environment
– The Seattle City Attorney’s Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees may work a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days remote, subject to change.
Who May Apply
– This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.
The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics.
Questions?
Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.
Employment Details
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Legal
Industry: Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr