Job Description

Kumabe HR is teaming up with a local law firm to find an Associate Attorney to provide legal advice and resolve legal disputes on behalf of clients relating to Labor and Employment matters.  The Associate Attorney will work closely with the company team (attorneys and staff) through discovery, trial preparation, trial, appeals process and closure.

Essential Duties/Functions:

• Manage cases, including all deadlines, discovery, production, depositions, hearings, trial preparation, and filings.
• Draft briefs relating to all aspects of litigation, including, but not limited to, motions to dismiss and summary judgment, post-arbitration briefs, post-trial briefs, appeals briefs.
• Draft and respond to discovery requests.
• Draft release agreements, personnel policies, contracts, and other legal documents.
• Perform legal research.
• Advise clients on labor and employment laws and issues.
• Gather evidence to formulate and strategize defense.
• Prepare for, conduct and attend depositions.
• Appear and argue before various courts, quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
• Oversee all assigned court filings.
• Conduct witness interviews and handle other details throughout the litigation process.
• Prepare and record all timekeeping and billing records in a thorough, accurate, honest and complete manner.
• Attend meetings with clients, opposing counsel, agencies, etc. Travel to worksite or other locations as necessary.
• Draft budget, client, and audit reports.
• Provide live training to clients on various labor and employment matters.
• Satisfy and maintain certifications required by the Hawaii State Bar Association.
• Exercise sound judgment in handling matters.
• Maintain confidentiality of non-public firm information as to firm clients, client matters and vendors.
• Responsible for all of the professional actions of a paralegal performing services at the lawyer’s direction and take reasonable measures to ensure that the paralegal’s conduct is consistent with the lawyer’s obligations under the rules of professional conduct of the jurisdiction in which the lawyer practices.
• Communicate, supervise, and guide non-attorney as it directly relates to work product and assignments.
• Maintain reliable work attendance and punctuality.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned by Partners.

Other Duties:

• Attend firm meetings and training.
• Participate in educational seminars.
• Travel to appointments, including neighbor islands and other states. Overnight travel may be expected.

Physical, Mental and Communication Demands:

• Frequent standing, sitting, talking, listening, and walking
• Effective, professional, pleasant, and courteous verbal and written communication skills
• Work under minimal supervision and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents; demonstrate strong business acumen, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to clearly translate into lay terms and effectively communicate the legal conditions, which affect the issues.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet all court and internal deadlines.
• Requires ability to apply principles of logic to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Use discretion in the proper handling of confidential matters.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral directions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Word 2016 (or higher), Microsoft Windows 10 (or higher), basic working knowledge of Microsoft Excel 2016 (or higher), and Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 (or higher)
• Proficient in use of legal research databases such as Lexis
• Use of discretion and judgment, including maintaining confidentiality, and working cooperatively with others.
• Understands e-discovery processes.
• Must possess knowledge of Hawaii State and Federal court rules.
• Must display effective organizational skills, ability to prioritize, multi-task and work extremely well under pressure and deadlines. 

Education/Experience:  

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• License to practice law in the State of Hawaii.