Current Openings
NY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
The Law Offices of Melissa A. Day, PLLC, a.k.a. LOMAD
To get a sense about whether you want to apply for this job, please go to our website and look at our MVV. Not sure if you will like Workers’ Compensation Defense? I wasn’t sure either when I started in this line of work; I just needed a job. Since then, I have come to love the work. I am never bored, I get to be creative to solve problems, I have independence, I collaborate with my clients and the attorneys in my office, and I get immense satisfaction helping the people with whom I have developed relationships.
Don’t get me wrong though; the job is stressful. As much as I do not like to think of what we do as a volume business because we approach our work differently than many of our competitors, the pace of our litigation is much faster compared to other kinds of litigation like personal injury. That is also what makes it exciting and challenging. You have to be able to think on your feet and react quickly. It’s a lot like speed chess, as I envision it, or hockey.
We also need hardworking people who can produce hours AND take groundbreaking positions. Our work is not for the timid; the fight we give to our clients requires a courageous strategist. Additionally, unlike personal injury or commercial litigation, you will be deposing doctors and will likely handle your first trial within 6 months of working with us.
We also live our Mission, Vision and Values in our firm culture at the firm. We want people who professionally AND personally “break the mold.” Have you ever felt uncomfortable at a get together because your peers considered you weird? Do you have a borderline unhealthy obsession with a hobby? Are you a cat person in training? Are you a non-traditional new attorney? I myself am a bit of late bloomer. We bet you might be a great addition to LOMAD which we affectionately refer to as our Island of Misfit Attorneys. We want exceptional people.
Why tell you all this? Because I believe that employees today are more particular about your work and that’s a great evolution. People know what they want more than they used to and are more critical in making employment decisions. We want people who consider themselves LOMADians and want to build a career with us.
So if what I have described aligns with your professional vision and sounds like fun, then by all means apply! If you are solely motivated by money, or looking to punch a timecard, then we are not the place for you.
Anxiously Awaiting Our Next LOMADian,
Melissa A. Day
Founding Attorney
Attorney Melissa A. Day has always had a passion for helping people and this drives her overwhelming desire to offer her clients and team assistance when others have told them that all is lost. Her compulsive need to offer solutions impelled her to seek solutions for thorny issues that others described as hopeless. She feels there is always SOMETHING that can be tried. This compulsion and the endorphin-releasing rush of accomplishment have led her out of great challenges in her life and she continually sets and achieves personal and professional goals with alacrity. She also maintains an “Attitude of Gratitude” and looks to find the positive in all situations. She counts herself among the luckiest people in the world because of her clients, friends, family and team at LOMAD.
Job Description:
LOMAD is a workers’ compensation defense firm representing clients throughout the state. We believe the best way to successfully defend a workers’ compensation claim is to build strong collaborative working relationships with our clients rather than simply acting as third-party hired hands. Our mission is to break the mold of the traditional assembly-line defense and embrace true claim-based partnerships centered around collaboration, communication, and honesty. By living our values of intellectual curiosity, passionate engagement, and goal-oriented collaboration, we are setting the highest standard for workers’ compensation defense in New York.
We are excited to add experienced Workers’ Compensation Associates and newly admitted associates to our team in the Buffalo office. LOMAD Associates handle litigated and non-litigated New York State workers’ compensation claims from the time of the referral to closure.
Associates are responsible for the complete and proper handling of all client matters and the oversight of tasks delegated to LOMAD staff. Associates are expected to have regular, productive contact with LOMAD clients and to follow firm procedure in all areas of practice.
Marketing and maintaining client relationships are critical to the success of the firm. Associates perform various non-billable administrative tasks, including assisting with the firm’s operations and training new associates and/or staff.
Our billable hour requirement is VERY REASONABLE and FIRM CULTURE and WORK/LIFE BALANCE are very important to us. We play hard and litigate hard and we have an emphasis on intra-office teamwork and collaboration, just like we do with our clients. LOMAD prioritizes opportunities for our remote attorneys to come to the office and interact with their colleagues and to have fun. We also use technology to foster LOMAD relationships and meet every week, in person or virtually, to discuss cases.
Our BONUS PROGRAMS offer two ways for an associate to bonus: one based on productivity and revenue and the other based on administrative contributions like marketing, firm life and collaboration.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Internalizing and committing to the firm’s mission vision and values.
- Representing clients on litigated matters at virtual hearings, trials and depositions.
- Providing follow up reports to clients within 3 business days of their hearings.
- Investigating workplace accidents and/or conducting initial reviews of client matters.
- Conducting complex legal research in Lexis and/or Westlaw.
- Conducting sophisticated analyses of medical records.
- Drafting memoranda of law, and appeals and rebuttals to the Board Panel, Full Board and Appellate Division, Third Department.
- Providing client-requested analysis of claims including settlement analyses, exposure/reserve analyses, litigation assessments, and litigation plans.
- Marketing the firm by joining or volunteering for networking organizations, attending networking events, and writing articles, blog posts, white papers and other marketing materials, and leading webinars or presentations, as needed.
Job Requirements
- Admission to practice law in the State of New York with 1 to 2 years year experience as an attorney preferred. We will consider exceptional newly admitted attorneys.
- Exceptional organizational skills.
- Self-motivated with a positive attitude and the drive to provide excellent client service.
- Excellent attention to detail for both tracking litigation/work assignments and proper documentation of files.
- Ability to handle pressure, interruptions and multiple projects/cases with frequently changing priorities and deadlines.
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize workload.
- Highly proficient in technology, including software utilized by the firm, including but not limited to, Microsoft Office programs, Adobe, remote desktop, Westlaw legal research.
- Ability to analyze legal documents and ensure accuracy.
- Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
We have a great training program and new attorneys and will have access to all of our more experienced attorneys for guidance and mentorship.
New attorneys are expected to work in our office for at least two full years after admission before they are considered for remote work. However, after that time, hybrid and remote work may be considered.
New Associates can “earn” a 4 day work week by meeting the billable hour requirement. We expect that you should be able to meet this requirement by your third or fourth month of work.
The starting salary for a newly admitted attorney and those without NY WC experience is $75,000. The salary for experienced associates is negotiable up to $90,000.
Associates are eligible for two bonus programs. The earning potential through bonuses can add an additional $25 – $30k to your salary.
Join us and grow with a young progressive firm. WBE Certified.
TO APPLY, SUBMIT A RESUME AND A COVER LETTER OR EMAIL TELLING US WHY YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE A LOMADIAN. If you follow the directions we will want to talk to you!
