Counsel - Management Liability & Specialty Lines

Nationwide•Columbus, CT

3d•$138,000 - $206,000•Remote

About The Position

Nationwide's Management Liability & Specialty (MLS) Legal team is seeking to hire a Counsel role to provide dedicated legal support across a portfolio of complex specialty insurance lines. In this role, you will draft, review, and negotiate policy forms and endorsements across management liability and specialty coverages — including D&O, EPL, Fiduciary, Crime, Cyber/Tech, Professional Liability, Financial Institutions, Surety, Trade Credit/Credit & Political Risk — and advise underwriters, product managers, and business partners on coverage interpretation, surplus lines and admitted product matters, regulatory compliance, and product development. Counsel will also have the opportunity to collaborate with the Reinsurance and Alternative Risk Transfer group. The ideal candidate brings substantive experience in management liability or specialty insurance coverage law, thrives in a fast-paced, product development-driven environment, and is comfortable serving as a trusted legal advisor to sophisticated business partners across multiple lines of business simultaneously. This position will be fully remote.

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.
Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

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

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.
May report to Vice President/Associate Vice President/Managing Counsel.
May have the opportunity to supervise up to three legal associates.

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