[Hiring] Associate Attorney @Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP

Role Description

Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP is seeking a motivated and talented Associate Attorney to join our established Workers’ Compensation practice in Columbia, South Carolina. This position offers the opportunity to represent employers, insurance carriers, and self-insured entities across a broad range of industries while gaining substantial hands-on litigation experience in a collaborative, client-focused environment.

Associates in our Workers’ Compensation practice work closely with experienced attorneys to:

• Defend claims and advocate on behalf of clients throughout all stages of the litigation process.
• Independently manage a caseload and oversee critical deadlines.
• Develop effective legal strategies designed to achieve favorable outcomes for clients.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting depositions of claimants, fact witnesses, medical providers, and expert witnesses.
• Preparing and arguing motions.
• Drafting legal briefs and position statements.
• Representing clients in mediations.
• Preparing for and appearing at hearings before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission.
• Evaluating and analyzing new and existing claims.
• Investigating factual and legal issues.
• Reviewing and interpreting medical records.
• Providing practical, strategic counsel to clients throughout the life of a case.
• Managing all aspects of discovery.
• Negotiating settlements.
• Preparing comprehensive client reports.
• Maintaining consistent communication with clients regarding litigation strategy, case developments, exposure assessments, and resolution opportunities.

Success in this role requires:

• Strong organizational skills.
• Sound judgment.
• The ability to effectively manage multiple matters in a fast-paced litigation environment.
• Building and maintaining strong professional relationships.

The ideal candidate will collaborate with fellow Hedrick Gardner attorneys and regularly interact with:

• Insurance adjusters.
• Risk managers.
• Employers.
• Claims professionals.
• Medical experts.
• Opposing counsel.

This position offers an outstanding opportunity to develop litigation, deposition, hearing, mediation, and negotiation skills while working alongside a highly respected team of workers’ compensation attorneys dedicated to delivering exceptional results for clients.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in the State of South Carolina.
• Minimum of one (1) year of Workers’ Compensation defense litigation experience required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of workers’ compensation laws, procedures, and claims management.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Deposition and mediation experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team-oriented practice.

Benefits

• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Short-term Disability
• Long-term Disability
• HRA
• FSA
• 401K
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• 3 weeks of PTO

Benefit Conditions: Waiting period may apply. Only full-time employees eligible.

Ability to commute/relocate: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work.