Sr. Trial Attorney

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Plantation, FL

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

Nationwide's Legal team is seeking a Sr. Trial Attorney to join their diverse organization. This role supports a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, delivering innovative business solutions with excellence. The position emphasizes delivering extraordinary care to customers. Preference will be given to candidates with extensive experience in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and First Party Property litigation, as well as defense civil litigation in Florida. The ideal candidate will have significant experience managing cases in state and federal courts, independently handling a substantial caseload from inception to resolution. Insurance defense experience is strongly preferred, with consideration for those who have handled larger commercial lines matters. Proven trial advocacy skills, strong motion practice experience, and the ability to proactively manage litigation strategy with paralegal support are essential. The role requires experience in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), First Party Property, General Liability, Bodily Injury, Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) litigation. Subrogation experience is a plus. The ideal candidate will possess a versatile litigation background, supporting multiple practice areas while maintaining high legal expertise, case ownership, and client service. This position can be located in Plantation, Tampa, or Orlando, Florida, and is a hybrid work opportunity. The Nationwide Trial Division offers a unique attorney experience with no billable hour requirements and a dedicated 1:1 paralegal-to-attorney support model, allowing attorneys to focus on legal outcomes and manage a diverse litigation portfolio.

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.
Has 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 which will be required as part of the selection process.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience handling Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and First Party Property litigation.
Defense civil litigation experience throughout Florida.
Significant experience managing matters in both state and federal courts.
Demonstrate the ability to independently manage a substantial caseload from inception through resolution.
Insurance defense experience is strongly preferred.
Additional consideration given to candidates who have handled larger commercial lines matters.
Proven trial advocacy skills.
Strong motion practice experience.
Ability to proactively manage litigation strategy while working collaboratively with dedicated paralegal support.
Experience in several practice areas, including Personal Injury Protection (PIP) , First Party Property , General Liability, Bodily Injury, Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) litigation.
Subrogation experience is a plus.
Versatile litigation background and the ability to support multiple practice areas while maintaining a high level of legal expertise, case ownership, and client service.
Experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation.
Ability to develop and learn additional or new NTD concentrations as may be required based on NTD business needs and as specified by NTD Leadership.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates the requisite trial advocacy skills independently as lead counsel, or as part of a team, demonstrates 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.