Associate Counsel

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Columbus, OH

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Nationwide's Legal team is seeking a highly motivated attorney to join their Investments Legal Practice Group within The Office of the Chief Legal Officer. This role will support the Department of Investments and serve as a critical partner to Nationwide’s investment professionals. The attorney will provide strategic, business-oriented legal guidance on a wide range of sophisticated private investment transactions, including private placements, private credit, private funds, co-investments, secondary transactions, and related matters. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain experience in capital market and commercial transactions by collaborating closely with other Investments Legal attorneys, portfolio managers, compliance, risk, and other internal stakeholders, as well as external counsel and counterparties. This position requires sound judgment, the ability and desire to learn quickly, and the ability to navigate nuanced legal and business issues in a fast-paced environment. The role involves providing general legal services to one or more assigned areas and working with junior to mid-level leaders and business partners in the Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO). The Associate Counsel will work on routine matters or projects with supportive supervision, and more complex issues or initiatives with more direct supervision and support from more senior counsel.

Requirements

JD from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Fully licensed in accordance with OCLO policy, in good standing and in compliance with all continuing legal education requirements at all times in the state(s) in which they practice.
Developing technical expertise and relevant experience in assigned practice area.
Typically, may be newly admitted to practice with up to four years of proven experience.
Has a limited amount of experience and knowledge in legal practices and procedures.
Developing knowledge of the business operations of the company.
Proven verbal and written communication skills needed for interacting with other attorneys and business partners.
Analytical ability to interpret statutes, regulations, policies and other contracts.
Ability to provide input on projects and matters.
May participate in negotiation and conflict resolution processes; may focus more on individual issues rather than overall strategy.
Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Nice To Haves

Experience in sophisticated private investment transactions, including private placements, private credit, private funds, co-investments, secondary transactions, and related matters.
Experience in capital market and commercial transactions.
Experience collaborating with portfolio managers, compliance, risk, and other internal stakeholders, as well as external counsel and counterparties.
Experience structuring and executing complex transactions.
Experience with subscription agreements, limited partnership agreements, note purchase agreements, side letters, investment management agreements, and other transaction-related documents.
Experience analyzing offering materials, term sheets, transaction documents, and ongoing fund communications.
Experience providing guidance on regulatory and legal obligations under federal and state securities laws, insurance regulations, and other applicable frameworks.
Experience monitoring, interpreting, and communicating developments in laws and regulations impacting insurance company investments, private markets, and related transactions.
Experience partnering with internal stakeholders to develop and implement best practices, policies, and procedures.
Experience managing relationships with external counsel and counterparties.
Experience contributing to strategic initiatives, process improvements, training, and knowledge sharing.

Responsibilities

Assist more experienced attorneys on the structuring and execution of private investments, including private funds, feeder funds, co-investments, and secondary transactions, ensuring alignment with business goals and regulatory obligations.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of agreements, such as subscription agreements, limited partnership agreements, note purchase agreements, side letters, investment management agreements, and other transaction-related documents.
Analyze offering materials, term sheets, transaction documents, and ongoing fund communications to identify and mitigate legal and business risks.
Provide proactive guidance on regulatory and legal obligations under federal and state securities laws, insurance regulations, and other applicable frameworks.
Monitor, interpret, and communicate developments in laws and regulations impacting insurance company investments, private markets, and related transactions, advising on their implications for Nationwide’s investment strategies.
Partner with internal stakeholders to develop and implement best practices, policies, and procedures that promote compliance and operational efficiency.
Manage relationships with external counsel and counterparties to ensure timely and effective transaction execution.
Contribute to strategic initiatives within the Investments Legal Practice Group, including process improvements, training, and knowledge sharing.
Provides legal support to an assigned area.
May contribute to larger matters, and work on more complex projects to broaden and deepen skills.
May receive some projects that are intended to develop skills.
May attend business partner meetings to better understand business processes and needs.
Researches legal issues, drafts legal documents, develops conclusions and recommendations for core legal matters.
Provides legal counsel, within a team of attorneys, for business partners, including legal research, advocacy, negotiation or other forms that successfully meet the needs of the business.
Supports the effective resolution of core legal issues by capturing relevant information and conducting legal research to prepare for negotiations or the providing advice to clients.
Develops and assesses alternative solutions or positions.
Has occasional interaction with persons outside the company on behalf of the organization.
Identifies persons or groups, in addition to the client, who might have an interest in or need access to useful information about the issue.
Effectively connects with them to keep them updated on developments.
Establishes and maintains positive relationships with associates at all levels within the OCLO.
Assists, as a team member, with multiple group/client assignments.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

medical/dental/vision
life insurance
short and long term disability coverage
paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date
nine paid holidays
8 hours of Lifetime paid time off
8 hours of Unity Day paid time off
401(k) with company match
company-paid pension plan
business casual attire