Sr Trial Attorney (Insurance Defense)

Nationwide•Elmsford, NY

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

Nationwide's Legal team is seeking a Sr Trial Attorney to join its diverse organization, supporting a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales. The role focuses on delivering innovative business solutions with excellence and providing extraordinary care to customers. This position offers no billable hours and involves cases related to Personal and Commercial Auto, Personal Injury, Bodily Injury, Wrongful Death, Premises Liability, General Liability, and NY Labor Law. It is a hybrid work opportunity in the Greater NYC and Tri-State Region, with Nationwide Trial Division offices in Elmsford, NY, and Garden City, NY. The ideal candidate will thrive in an environment that supports the mission of protecting people, businesses, and futures with extraordinary care, possessing strong academic credentials, analytical skills, and legal acumen for successful litigation work. Nationwide Trial Division is a national team with approximately 40 offices across six regions. Senior Trial Attorneys are seasoned litigation professionals with significant civil litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation. As a Senior Trial Attorney, you will represent clients under both commercial and personal lines insurance policies, acting independently as lead counsel or as part of a larger team. Caseloads will include a mix of cases varying 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, demonstrating a commitment to innovative thinking, effective collaboration, embracing technology, and a highly organized and 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.
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.
Must have a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.
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.

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.

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