Sr. Paralegal Workers' Compensation

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Irvine, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Nationwide is hiring a Senior Paralegal for its Trial Division to provide pre-trial and trial support to legal professionals representing clients under commercial and personal lines insurance policies. The Senior Paralegal handles a varied workload in a civil litigation environment, generally requiring low to moderate guidance and oversight. The role supports strategic case handling, collaboration, technology adoption, and organized case management. California workers' compensation defense experience is preferred, and the position includes E-filing via EAMS. This is a hybrid opportunity reporting to the Irvine office.

Requirements

Typically five years of experience in a paralegal capacity involving demonstrated insurance-related litigation.
Certification in paralegal studies strongly preferred and/or demonstrated insurance litigation-related paralegal experience.
Strong knowledge of assigned files and ability to understand the relevance of case information.
General knowledge of law office operations, practices, and procedures.
Experience with filing and scheduling procedures in various courts and use of federal and state e-filing and e-Court systems.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for interactions with attorneys, paralegals, court personnel, clients, and claims staff.
Strong research and organizational skills; attention to detail; technological aptitude; adaptability to new systems and processes; ability to prioritize and multitask.
Ability to exercise independent initiative and judgment in daily tasks.
Must acknowledge and comply with corporate and Nationwide Trial Division policies and procedures.
Must comply with the private practice of law policy and ethical rules of the state where the position is located.

Nice To Haves

Experience with California workers' compensation defense.
Undergraduate studies in business administration, insurance, or a related area.
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and case management databases such as Legal Files.
Understanding of personal and commercial lines policies.

Responsibilities

Provide direct pre-trial and trial support for litigated matters of varied complexity.
Assist with drafting, reviewing, filing, and serving pleadings, motions, discovery, and subpoenas, including complex motions such as motions in limine and dispositive motions.
Review and draft documents for document production requests.
Analyze and draft responses to incoming discovery.
Review and summarize medical records.
Conduct legal research and writing, including preparing medical chronologies and deposition summaries of fact and expert witnesses.
Proactively assist attorneys in moving case files toward trial or resolution.
Attend case-related events and provide trial support; support or champion technology adoption.
Coordinate workflow, maintain filing and follow-up systems, and support litigation strategy.
Coordinate and schedule depositions, hearings, and meetings; communicate with clients and expert witnesses.
Provide administrative support to trial teams, including retrieving information from document management systems and assembling exhibits, binders, and appendices for depositions, court filings, hearings, and trials.
Maintain knowledge of court procedures and local rules; review court dockets and retrieve case information.
Maintain confidentiality regarding attorney-client privilege and relationships, trial strategies, ethics rules, and the identities of plaintiffs, defense clients, and claims customers.
Perform legal assistant and other administrative duties.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Paid time off, with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days per full calendar year, prorated quarterly based on hire date.
Nine paid holidays.
Eight hours of Lifetime paid time off.
Eight hours of Unity Day paid time off.
401(k) with company match.
Company-paid pension plan.
Business casual attire.