Careers at Walkup

Why Walkup?

We are an established top tier law firm committed to fighting for justice for more than 60 years. We are the most awarded plaintiff’s personal injury firm in Northern California. Our focus is doing good for every client. If you are interested in joining our diverse team of good people dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the people we represent, we’d like to meet you.

What we offer

Competitive Salary

Hybrid Work - Home / Office

Health Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Paid Time Off

401(k) Plan

What our people say

“We all share the same vision and that is to do the best we can for the clients. We work well together and we enjoy each other’s company. Its an awesome feeling to help someone in their time of need."

Josette Moreno | Office Services Coordinator

"Our clients are going through a very difficult time in their lives, and I have so much admiration for the level of empathy, respect and professionalism shown to each of them."

Sandra Davis | Director of Finance

“This program confirmed for me that I want to be a trial lawyer,” said Daniel Cassee. “It’s rare that you can get so many fascinating and accomplished trial attorneys in one place. Just to be in the room with them at every step of the process is invaluable.”

Summer Associates | 2022

“The thing that is most enjoyable is making a difference in people’s lives. I love what I do."

Michael A Kelly | Shareholder

Opportunities

Paralegal

SUMMARY

This employee’s primary duty is preparing responses to discovery for attorney review and approval. This includes obtaining and organizing documents/information from clients and third parties as well as being familiar with entire file. Secondary duties include miscellaneous attorney support.

DUTIES

Review file and perform all work required to prepare draft responses to Form Interrogatories, Special Interrogatories including contention interrogatories, Requests for Production of Documents, Requests for Admission, Notice of Taking Deposition and Request for Production of Documents (to plaintiff and plaintiff’s expert witnesses), Request for Statement of Damages and Requests for Prior Pleadings and Discovery for attorney review and approval
Communicate with attorneys to obtain overview of case, liability and damages to guide drafting of discovery responses
Communicate with clients to obtain information and documents to respond to discovery and support liability and damages claims
Serve final discovery responses and forward to clients for verification
Work with legal assistants to facilitate expert file production prior to expert depositions
Order records such as medical records, medical bills, police reports, etc.
Summarize medical bills
Under close guidance and supervision from attorney provide notifications to lien holders and obtain and index lien information
Organize documents obtained from clients including medical bills, wage records, photographs, insurance cards and other relevant documents
Attend defense medical examinations
Communicate with legal assistants regarding upcoming due dates and deadlines, and be aware of responsible attorneys’ availability for finalizing responses
Upon settlement of a matter, coordinate with legal assistants working on the case, to contact all experts and vendors requesting that all outstanding invoicing be promptly emailed or faxed
Ensure that any last minute costs are promptly approved and Accounting is made aware to include such costs on the settlement statement
Translate/communicate with Spanish speaking possibles and Clients

QUALIFICATIONS

College degree preferred or paralegal certificate
Must have 3-5+ years of litigation experience, plaintiff experience with personal injury and medical malpractice is a plus
Strong familiarity with Code of Civil Procedure rules and requirements
Must have knowledge of court filing requirements, including experience with e-filing in state and federal court
Strong software skills, knowledge (MS Office Suite) and calendaring
Exceptional communication and attention to detail
Strong project and task management skills
Must be highly detail-oriented and able to manage multiple high-volume priorities in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work with diverse personalities within various levels of the organization
Must exhibit well-developed interpersonal and client relation skills

BENEFITS

We offer excellent benefits (medical/dental/FSA), competitive salary and discretionary bonuses and profit sharing contributions. Hybrid Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy – 2 days in the office and 3 days from home.

Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, citizenship, sex, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or gender expression or identity), political ideology, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

Legal Assistant

SUMMARY:

The Legal Assistant provides interim coverage our Legal Assistants to provide continual and consistent support to the attorneys and the firm.

DUTIES:

Opening and closing cases (includes obtaining signed contracts and authorizations from the client, gathering initial case details, requesting final invoices, circulating closing documents)
Prepare and send legal and administrative correspondence (including communications with clients)
Format, put in final form and proofread all work product from attorney sent via dictation, hard copy and/or email
Make travel arrangements for attorney as needed
Receive and manage incoming phone calls, voicemails and emails
Receive and manage incoming mail and service documents and handle or route appropriately
Order and save investigation reports and/or medical records for cases
Transcribe all dictation in a timely manner
Maintain attorney’s calendar (Outlook/Compulaw) for all SOL’s, reminders, tentative rulings, appointments, depositions and verifying coverage. Coordinate with master calendar clerk
Create, maintain, and organize hard and electronic files
Save all incoming documents, deposition transcripts, reports, etc. to the appropriate folder/file and route accordingly
Prepare and file all Complaints at appropriate court, serve on all defendants and file POS
Upon receipt, save then forward discovery onto attorney, assigned paralegal, and clients
Schedule CourtCall, Zoom or in person appearances for cases
Coordinate and confirm deposition dates, arrange CSR, and if needed videographer, interpreter
Contact Courts as needed to obtain motion hearing dates, verify local rules, and/or special requirements
Type, gather supporting documents, organize, and execute filing of all motions and oppositions as instructed by attorney (including tables of contents and tables of authorities, exhibits)
Draft, prepare and file all pleadings (hard copy or electronically) at the proper court in a timely manner
Trial preparation including preparation of trial binders, exhibits, blow-ups, scheduling experts, MIL’s, CACI jury instructions, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

College degree preferred
Must have 3-5+ years of litigation experience, plaintiff experience with personal injury and medical malpractice is a plus
Strong familiarity with Code of Civil Procedure rules and requirements
Must have knowledge of court filing requirements, including experience with e-filing in state and federal court
Strong software skills, knowledge (MS Office Suite) and calendaring
Exceptional communication and attention to detail
Strong project and task management skills
Must be highly detail-oriented and able to manage multiple high-volume priorities in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work with diverse personalities within various levels of the organization
Must exhibit well-developed interpersonal and client relation skills

BENEFITS

We offer excellent benefits (medical/dental/FSA), competitive salary and discretionary bonuses and profit sharing contributions. Hybrid Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy – 2 days in the office and 3 days from home.

Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, citizenship, sex, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or gender expression or identity), political ideology, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

Summer Associate Program

Summer Associate Program

At Walkup we offer a Summer Associate Program that is challenging, rewarding and inclusive. Every day we will present you with an opportunity to do substantive work that makes a meaningful impact. You will learn from renowned trial lawyers and build legal acumen in a highly collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.

Real Work

We enjoy working together to achieve successful outcomes for our clients. Our Summer Associate Program is designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the experience of being part of a case team at Walkup. This means you will develop in a workplace that supports you, encourages you, and helps you attain the skills necessary to make your mark as a trial lawyer.

You will work on challenging matters alongside top attorneys and expert staff while building relationships with your colleagues.

Mentoring

Our Summer Associates are assigned two mentors, a Partner who will provide direction and function as your reviewing attorney and an Associate who can answer your day-to-day questions. These people are there for you throughout the summer for guidance, advice, and will provide an assessment of your performance at the end of the summer.

Watch and Learn

You have the chance to gain a first-hand perspective of successful lawyering by observing experienced attorneys in action. This shadowing experience is designed to expose you to everything from client meetings and depositions to mediations and trials. Summer Associates tell us that this experience is truly invaluable to their understanding of the skills necessary to become a trial lawyer.

Compete

Every Summer Associate participates in our Walkup Brief Writing Contest and competes for a cash award. You will be asked to analyze a question pertaining to an actual case and write a brief that will be reviewed by our panel of judges. The winner of the contest is announced at a firm reception in their honor.

Have Fun

You will have opportunities to join in social, cultural, and recreational activities to get better acquainted with your fellow Summers and attorneys at Walkup. In recent years they have joined in a wide array of activities including Major League Baseball games, Legal Association Functions, Professional Lunches and Dinners, and our Brief Writing Contest to name just a few.

Click On The Link To See What Our Summer Associates Are Saying At Walkup!

https://www.walkuplawoffice.com/2022/08/29/walkup-law-s-2022-summer-associate-program-comes-to-an-end/

2023 Summer Associate Program Details

Our 8-week Program begins on Monday, June 19, 2023, and ends on August 11, 2023.

We are currently accepting 2L applications through January 31, 2023. Interested candidates can submit their resume with a writing sample to: hr@walkuplawoffice.com

Interview Dates: February 1-28, 2023

Selection Dates: March 1-10, 2023

Fellowship

The Walkup Civil Justice Fellowship

The Walkup Civil Justice Fellowship will be a chance to learn the art of trial advocacy at a career stage when such opportunities are hard to come by. Our fellow will be assigned to work on cases involving wrongful death and other serious tort matters, as well as individual liberty and access to justice. Depending on ability, responsibilities may include making court appearances, writing briefs, preparing clients for depositions, taking depositions, and assisting in trial. The more you can do, the more you will do.

Fellowship Terms

The Fellowship runs from September 2023 to September 2024. The Fellow will receive a competitive salary, and will participate in the Firm’s full benefit package.

Our Practice

Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger is a plaintiff’s-side personal injury law firm in San Francisco. Founded in 1959, we have six decades of experience trying cases on behalf of individuals who suffered catastrophic injuries due to others’ negligence.

Walkup’s lawyers serve on the leadership of ABOTA, and teach trial advocacy for NITA, at leading law schools, and internationally in emerging democracies. Walkup lawyers have been recognized by “Best Lawyers in America,” SuperLawyers (Top 10 and Top 100 lists), and awarded numerous “Trial Lawyer of the Year” awards.

And of course, our lawyers try cases. We handle cases involving product liability (including defective drugs and medical devices); nursing home abuse and medical malpractice; civil rights (including wrongful incarceration and police abuse); dangerous premises; vehicular negligence; sexual assault; transportation network company liability; and everything from aviation disasters to explosions and fires. We also have lead roles in prominent national (MDL) litigation.

How to Apply

Applications from 3L candidates are accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline for this year’s Fellowship is January 31, 2023. Candidates should submit cover letter, resume, law school transcripts, a writing sample, and reference list to:

Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger

Melinda Quilici, Director of Human Resources mquilici@walkuplawoffice.com

650 California St., 26^th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94108

Interview Dates: February 1-28, 2023

Selection Dates: March 1-10, 2023

Click here to submit your cover letter & resume

In the Community

Walkup team members have consistently contributed to the welfare and improvement of the people and communities of the Bay Area and Northern California.

Consistent with Walkup’s philosophy of giving back, UC Hastings Alumns Michael A. Kelly, Richard H. Schoenberger, and Matthew Davis committed $1 million to scholarships at San Francisco’s oldest and largest law school. The main lecture hall in the new academic building at 333 Golden Gate Avenue bears the Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger name.

Learn more

Here are just a few of the communities we've helped

Join our team.

Doris Cheng | Shareholder

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