Insurance Defense, Senior Trial Attorney

Nationwide•Wexford, PA

2d•$138,000 - $243,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Nationwide's Legal team is seeking a Senior Trial Attorney passionate about delivering innovative business solutions with excellence. This role supports a Fortune 100 company and emphasizes extraordinary care for customers. The position is a SuccessFlex role, requiring the hired associate to reside within 35 miles of Wexford, Pennsylvania. The work schedule is hybrid, with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. This role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization and Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT extension program. This role offers the opportunity to deliver top-quality legal services to support a Fortune 100 insurance company's mission to protect people, businesses, and futures with extraordinary care. The Nationwide Trial Division is a national team with approximately 40 offices across six regions. Senior Trial Attorneys are experienced litigation attorneys with significant civil litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation. They represent clients under both commercial and personal lines insurance policies independently as lead counsel, or as part of a larger team. Caseloads vary in complexity, severity, product lines, and specialized concentrations across all courts and agencies in the assigned jurisdiction(s). The role requires maintaining a highly productive case volume with a commitment to innovative thinking, effective collaboration, embracing technology, and a proactive approach to case management.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
Maintains an active license in the state in which the position is located.
Typically, more than eight years of relevant civil litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation.
Significant litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation.
Engages in complex legal practices and procedures throughout all court and agencies in the assigned jurisdiction.
Highly effective and professional written and verbal communication skills.
Highly collaborative, capable to work with staff and other attorneys on-site and remotely, as well as serving as a role model and mentor to other associates within the office.
Significant negotiation skills.
Ability to process information efficiently and effectively.
Excellent analytical and legal skills.
Resourceful, creative problem solver.
Computer savvy with a solid understanding of basic software and use of same.
Capable of adapting to changes in the law and changes to technology in the law and court systems (e.g. electronic filings, etc.)
Strong time management and organization skills.
Decision making ability to set work priorities and make recommendations.
Ability to initiate, prioritize and coordinate complex projects and cases.
Leadership skills used in direct and/or indirect influencing such as motivating, problem solving, business strengthening and development with colleagues, clients and claims partners.
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.
Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide values.
Must have a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.
A valid credit check and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates the requisite trial advocacy skills independently as lead counsel, or as part of a team, demonstrating efficiency, proactive case management, work ethic, and work product quality to accurately and effectively handle all matters in accordance with Nationwide Trial Division (NTD) standard methodology guidelines, as well as claims and client expectations.
Requires minimal managerial oversight and guidance from the Managing Trial Attorney and NTD Leadership in all aspects of core duties and job responsibilities.
Adept at effectively utilizing technology and collaboratively working with support staff to ensure efficient case management and efficiency.
Demonstrates consistent awareness of changes to the law, technology, local rules and other procedural requirements, or other aspects of the legal and insurance industries likely to impact liability and recovery litigation strategies in the jurisdictions in which he/she practices.
Possesses and consistently performs with the subject matter expertise and trial advocacy skills required and specified for all NTD concentrations held.
Demonstrates the ability and willingness to develop and learn additional or new NTD concentrations as may be required based on NTD business needs and as specified by NTD Leadership.
Provides factually, legally and analytically sound opinions consistently on case valuations that are promptly updated and timely communicated to the client and claims.
Independently establishes and maintains strong professional relationships with key associates within Office of the Chief Legal Officer and claims partners at the senior director level and below, as well as with colleagues within the legal and insurance industries within those jurisdictions and communities in which he/she practices.
Utilizes relationships to build and improve NTD’s reputation and expand case referral opportunities within the enterprise.
Communicates in a highly effective manner, consistently and proactively identifying, understanding and meeting client, claims and internal NTD communication expectations (both written and verbal), as well as those commonly expected within the jurisdictions and communities in which he/she practices.
Serves as a mentor for junior attorneys and NTD staff providing guidance and training, as well as serving as role model in terms of engagement, coaching and feedback, efficiency, attitude and collaboration.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.