Counsel, Contingent Litigation

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Columbus, OH

14h•Remote

About The Position

If you're passionate about being part of a diverse organization that enables a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales to deliver innovative business solutions with excellence, then Nationwide's Legal team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care. The Counsel provides expert legal advice with minimal direction and leads complex and strategic matters that carry meaningful risk to the enterprise. The role identifies and assesses legal risk, develops practical solutions where precedent is sometimes limited, and delivers clear guidance to Claims leaders on coverage, Extra Contractual reserving, settlement strategy, and documentation. The Counsel also builds strong relationships across OCLO and with business partners and serves as a steady legal voice in matters involving high exposure litigation, time sensitive demands, and sensitive communications. Would you thrive in an environment where you can deliver top-quality legal services to support business objectives of a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company? If you have legal talent and great interpersonal and communication skills, we want to know more about you! We provide legal expertise that reflects our commitment to innovative thinking, effective collaboration and a proactive approach to our work. As Counsel, you'll provide expert advice and build strong relationships with fellow team members and business leaders across many levels. We'll count on you to recommend risk management strategies by actively identifying and assessing risks in unique and complex situations that have potential for significant impact to the company.

Requirements

JD from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Associates reporting within Nationwide’s Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) who are functioning in attorney roles must be 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.
Typically, six or more years of relevant legal experience.
Has demonstrated business knowledge.
Has proven experience with or knowledge of an area of law, complex legal practices and procedures.
Considered a specialist on a specific product, service or legal specialty (employment, finance, regulatory, real estate, securities, tax, etc.).
Possesses sound business knowledge with respect to area of legal support.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with associates and business partners.
Skilled at interpreting statutes, regulations, insurance policies and other contracts.
Decision-making ability to set work priorities and make recommendations.
Ability to initiate, prioritize and coordinate complex projects and/or cases that cross functional or business lines.
Takes the lead role in complex and/or strategic negotiations.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory skills helpful, as this role may have the opportunity to supervise a small group of legal resources within an area of law.
Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Responsibilities

Provide independent legal advice on complex litigation, coverage disputes, and extra contractual exposure.
Identify and assess risks in unique or complex situations and recommend legally sound and business aligned mitigation strategies.
Lead high severity matters that require sophisticated legal analysis and strategic decision making.
Support the enterprise through strategic partnership with Claims leadership by participating in key discussions on case evaluation, litigation posture, and reserving.
Communicate legal requirements and cautionary guidance clearly to decision makers and influence defensible outcomes on matters that have significant potential impact.
Develop effective, practical solutions to novel issues and ensure that risk assessments are tied to business realities and the company’s risk tolerance.
Exercise sound judgment in managing outside counsel, evaluating settlement opportunities, and resolving matters with heightened sensitivity.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with Claims, OCLO colleagues, and other business partners.
Serve as a trusted advisor with the ability to explain complex legal concepts in straightforward terms and to respond effectively to challenges while advancing risk mitigated outcomes.
Provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced attorneys or paralegals as needed.
Contribute to consistent claim handling practices by supporting training, offering early issue identification, and helping ensure cohesive legal strategy across related matters.
Identify and analyze litigation trends and recurring issues across the portfolio.
Provide early visibility to Claims leadership, translate insights into practical guidance, and drive consistent, proactive responses on coverage, documentation, and settlement strategy.
Partner with OCLO and business partners to incorporate findings into training, governance, and reserving so that outcomes align with the company’s risk tolerance and long term objectives.
Provides advice and expertise on a broad range of legal matters with minimal direction within a specific area of responsibility.
Attends business partner meetings to better understand business processes and needs.
Identifies and assesses risks in unique or complex business situations.
Creates risk management/mitigation recommendations demonstrating sound risk assessment and legal skills.
Addresses situations of high exposure or risk; understands business risk tolerance and considers it in the context of risk management strategies and actions.
Has input into or influence on company decision-making.
Builds creative, practical and effective solutions to issues with no established precedent.
May interact with persons outside of the company on behalf of the organization.
Leads matters that are complex and/or strategic in nature.
Understands the business partner's goals, objectives and needs.
Advises senior leaders on case law, legislative and regulatory matters.
Considers the long-term business and strategic consequences of potential outcomes.
Demonstrates strength with clients by clearly communicating legal requirements and cautionary counsel.
Effectively responds to challenges and collaborates to achieve risk-mitigated outcomes.
Builds and maintains a wide network of positive relationships at many levels within the OCLO and with business partners, including at leadership levels.
Works independently and may also lead teams on group/client tasks, projects or assignments.
May mentor less experienced attorneys or paralegals on business and legal issues.
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