Managing Trial Attorney

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Richfield, OH

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Managing Trial Attorney (MTA) role within Nationwide's Legal team, specifically the Nationwide Trial Division (NTD). This position is based in the NTD Richfield, OH office, with potential for Nationwide SuccessFlex options. The role involves co-leading an office within a region, influencing its reputation, performance, and health in alignment with Nationwide's mission and NTD's strategic objectives. The MTA will work with the lead MTA on office operations, including staffing, case assignments, quality of legal services, budgeting, workflow, and associate development. Supervision of trial attorneys, paralegals, and support staff is expected, with limited opportunities for direct case handling. The position requires a Juris Doctor degree, an active license in the state of employment, and typically 10+ years of relevant civil litigation and trial experience, with management experience being a requirement. Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and leadership skills are essential, along with computer proficiency and knowledge of case management software. The role also involves implementing NTD methodologies, maintaining client relationships, assessing case performance, preparing business reports, and managing administrative functions. A valid credit check and/or background check is required.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
Maintains an active license in the state in which the position is located.
Typically has 10 plus years of relevant civil litigation, trial experience, and jury trial experience as lead counsel preferred.
Management experience required.
Expertise in highly complex matters of law.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong negotiation skills.
Excellent analytical and legal skills.
Creative problem solver, computer savvy with a solid understanding of basic software and use of same.
Good time management and organization skills.
Comfortable contact with all levels of management.
Ability to train trial attorneys, paralegals and support staff.
Decision-making ability to set work priorities and make recommendations.
Ability to initiate, prioritize and coordinate complex projects and cases.
Strong leadership skills, including motivating, influencing and problem solving.
Stays in sync with the private practice of law policy and the ethical rules of the state where the position is located.
Must also acknowledge and follow all corporate and NTD policies and procedures.
Proven trial advocacy skills are required.
Proficient using Microsoft suite of products (Word, Excel, Power Point).
Able to utilize case management software effectively to stay organized and oversee file management.
Great communication skills is a must.
Areas of experience to include: general liability/bodily injury personal lines and commercial lines claims (including UM/UIM) , complex/large loss injury cases (including surgery, TBI).

Nice To Haves

Insurance defense background in Ohio counties (particularly Northern Ohio) with experience in the Cleveland and surrounding area court systems.
State and federal courts experience required.
Prior managing/leadership experience strongly preferred.
Subrogation experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Handle aspects of office management including staffing, case assignment/conflict checking, supervision of attorneys and paralegals, mentoring, training and performance management.
Implement and lead all aspects of NTD standard methodologies, processes and guidelines, providing training as needed.
Partner with National Practice Group Associate Vice Presidents on any performance-related matters regarding specialty areas.
Assist in identifying and sharing opportunities for increasing attorney proficiency in niche and commercial practice areas.
Maintain and promote good relationships with clients and claims management.
Lead attorney, paralegal and/or support staff performance and efficiency for assigned office.
Review and may assign work, monitor quality and efficiency, and be responsible for development, coaching and feedback, training and mentoring individual associates.
Assess case performance on open and closed files of direct reports; seek feedback from claims partners and the office lead MTA (8-2).
May maintain a case load, ideally no more than 10 cases.
Assist with the preparation of various business reports in order to manage office.
Review and analyze trends and recommendations to lead MTA (8-2) regarding short-term and long-term critical business decisions.
Co-manage and coordinate all administrative functions, including expense management, for the office.
Collaborate with business operations to ensure that administration services provided to the office are at acceptable levels.
Monitor and respond to office growth demands or reductions in workforce, including staffing, physical plan and technology needs.
Plan and coordinate projects regarding systems and processes changes.
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