Managing Trial Attorney

Nationwide•San Diego, CA

1d•$138,000 - $243,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Nationwide's Legal team is seeking a passionate Managing Trial Attorney (MTA) to join their diverse organization. This role supports a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, focusing on delivering innovative business solutions with excellence. The MTA will be responsible for managing approximately 12 direct reports, including attorneys and paralegals, and will also assist with managing the operational aspects of the Newport Beach office. This position can be a hybrid work schedule or fully remote in Southern CA, supporting the Newport Beach, CA Trial Division office. The MTA will oversee Commercial and Personal Lines files, with case concentrations including Bodily Injury Commercial, Commercial Auto, Complex Commercial, Complex Personal Lines, Premises Liability, Bodily Injury Auto, Bodily Injury Homeowners, Bodily Injury Dog Bite, Property Damage, Products Liability, Construction Defects, and Federal Court Actions. Venues may include Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial Counties. Candidates should have diverse experience in multi-lines of business and demonstrated leadership skills for managing teams in both office and hybrid environments. The Nationwide Trial Division (NTD) is a national team with approximately 40 offices across six regions. As an MTA, you will co-lead an office within a region, influencing its reputation, performance, and health in alignment with Nationwide's mission and NTD's strategic objectives. You will work with the office's lead MTA on operational aspects such as staffing, case assignments, quality of legal services, budgeting, workflow, and associate development. You may supervise trial attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, with limited opportunities to handle cases directly.

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.
Has 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.
Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.
Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.
Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide values.
Due to the fiduciary accountabilities of this job, a valid credit check and/or background which will be required as part of the selection process.

Nice To Haves

Jury trial experience as lead counsel preferred.

Responsibilities

Implements and leads all aspects of NTD standard methodologies, processes and guidelines, providing training as needed.
Partners with National Practice Group Associate Vice Presidents on any performance-related matters regarding specialty areas.
Assists in identifying and sharing opportunities for increasing attorney proficiency in niche and commercial practice areas.
Maintains and promotes good relationships with clients and claims management.
May lead attorney, paralegal and/or support staff performance and efficiency for assigned office.
Reviews and may assign work, monitors quality and efficiency, and is responsible for development, coaching and feedback, training and mentoring individual associates.
Assesses case performance on open and closed files of direct reports; seeks feedback from claims partners and the office lead MTA (8-2).
May maintain a case load, ideally no more than 10 cases.
Assists with the preparation of various business reports in order to manage office.
Reviews and analyzes trends and recommendations to lead MTA (8-2) regarding short-term and long-term critical business decisions.
Co-manages and coordinates all administrative functions, including expense management, for the office.
Collaborates with business operations to ensure that administration services provided to the office are at acceptable levels.
Monitors and responds to office growth demands or reductions in workforce, including staffing, physical plan and technology needs.
Plans and coordinates 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