Senior Counsel - Alternative Risk, Reinsurance, and Insurance Claims

Nationwide•Columbus, OH

17d•Hybrid

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. This position is a critical member of Nationwide’s Alternative Risk, Reinsurance, and Insurance Claims legal center of excellence within the Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO), supporting complex matters across the Nationwide enterprise. The role provides specialized legal and regulatory counsel on alternative risk financing strategies, reinsurance transactions, and insurance and reinsurance claims, including related coverage, regulatory, governance, and external audit matters for Property & Casualty and Financial Services businesses. The successful candidate will bring deep insurance industry experience and sound judgment to enterprise‑level risk management and high‑impact legal matters. Alternative Risk Financing and Reinsurance Transactions Provide legal counsel on sophisticated reinsurance and alternative risk structures supporting Nationwide’s risk transfer and capital management strategies, including: Lead and support complex reinsurance transactions, including structuring, drafting, review, and negotiation of reinsurance treaties, facultative arrangements, fronting agreements, trust agreements, and related ancillary documents. Advise and support alternative risk financing solutions, including captives, structured programs, insurance‑linked securities, catastrophe bonds, and other bespoke risk transfer mechanisms. Advise on transactional and operational issues involving reinsurance intermediaries, program administrators, general agents, third party administrators, trusts, collateral arrangements, and multinational insurance programs, including coordination with actuarial, finance, risk, and treasury stakeholders. Provide counsel on legal, regulatory, and commercial considerations impacting reinsurance transactions, including licensing, collateral, credit for reinsurance, tax, intermediary relationships, as well as formation, governance, regulation, and ongoing administration of captive insurers and other reinsurance vehicles. Navigate cross‑border and offshore regulatory frameworks (including Bermuda and other jurisdictions) working collaboratively with subject matter experts in tax, privacy, sanctions, and other specialty legal teams. Corporate Risk Management and Regulatory Advisory Support enterprise risk management through legal guidance on insurance programs, governance, and compliance, including: Provide legal counsel on a broad range of property and casualty insurance products, including general liability, auto liability, property, workers’ compensation, excess and surplus lines, and management specialty lines (E&O, D&O, fiduciary liability). Draft and negotiate manuscript policy provisions and endorsements as needed to address unique risk exposures. Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal and enterprise risk across the organization, partnering with business, risk, finance, and compliance stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that protect the company’s interests and align with risk appetite. Advise on corporate governance, regulatory, compliance, and risk management considerations relating to captive insurance programs, including structure, oversight, and ongoing operational matters. Insurance and Reinsurance Claims, Dispute Resolution, and Audit Support Advise on complex coverage, recoveries, and dispute matters, while supporting external audit requirements, including: Advise on insurance and reinsurance coverage issues, including interpretation of policy and treaty language, legal risk, precedent considerations, and allocation matters. Lead the pursuit and management of insurance and reinsurance claims, including drafting demand and notice letters, developing strategic approaches to recovery, and overseeing outside counsel in connection with arbitrations, mediations, and litigation. Identify and evaluate material legal and claims matters for financial disclosure, working with finance, internal stakeholders, and external counsel to prepare and issue audit response letters. Review and negotiate engagement letters and related agreements with external auditor, ensuring appropriate allocation of risk and alignment with company policies. While this position is open to working remotely in the United States, preference is for a candidate to work from a primary Nationwide office, Columbus OH, Des Moines IA, or Scottsdale AZ with the option for a hybrid working environment.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Associates reporting within Nationwide’s 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 has 15 or more years of relevant legal experience. May have management experience.
Has significant experience with or knowledge of one or more areas of law, complex legal practices and procedures, project management concept and techniques.
Considered a subject matter authority within his or her areas of legal expertise.
Sound business acuity and knowledge of the business goals and objectives as they relate to the matter at hand.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for contacts interacting with all levels within OCLO and with business partners.
Analytical ability to interpret statutes, regulations, insurance policies and other contracts.
Decision-making ability to set work priorities and make recommendations.
Ability to lead cross-functional projects.
Ability to lead, initiate, organize and coordinate highly complex projects and/or cases.
Takes the lead role in negotiations that are complex, strategic, or sensitive in nature.
Supervisory skills useful.
Significant professional and/or civic involvement.
Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Responsibilities

Provides the highest level of subject matter expertise for legal specialties on significant, high-risk, or highly complex legal matters.
Regularly attends business partner meetings to better understand business processes and needs.
Identifies and logically assesses potential legal risks.
Creates risk management/mitigation recommendations using sound risk assessment information to further achievement of business objectives.
Drafts necessary legal documents and develops conclusions and recommendations.
Regularly interacts with senior leaders in Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) or the company on legal matters within area(s) of legal expertise.
Has input into or influence on company decision-making.
Creates practical and effective solutions to the most complex legal issues with no established precedent; develops creative solutions to unique legal problems; has significant interaction with persons outside of the company.
Takes the lead role in matters that are highly complex, strategic, or sensitive in nature.
Understands the business partner's position and needs.
Keeps senior leaders and appropriate management of company informed of case law and new legislation, as appropriate.
Considers the long-term business and strategic consequences of possible outcomes.
Delivers difficult messages or news, and challenges business partners when necessary; responds to challenges to advice and counsel directly and effectively.
Brings a broad network of established relationships, both internal and external, to the organization, particularly in recognized areas of subject matter expertise.
Works independently and may lead teams to resolve highly complex legal and organizational issues.
Makes recommendations about and ensures compliance with approved outside counsel budget.
Hires and develops talent, provides consistent coaching and feedback
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