Sr. Trial Attorney (Commercial Insurance Defense)

Nationwide•Atlanta, GA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

Nationwide's Legal team is seeking a Sr. Trial Attorney passionate about delivering innovative business solutions with excellence. This role involves defense civil litigation in GA state and federal courts, handling all aspects of cases from pleadings to trials. The ideal candidate will have significant experience with mediations and trials in GA state courts, be proficient in a paperless office environment using Microsoft suite and case management software, and possess proactive file handling and strong communication skills. The Trial Division is a national team with approximately 40 offices, and Senior Trial Attorneys represent clients under commercial and personal lines insurance policies, managing a productive case volume with a focus on innovative thinking, collaboration, technology, and proactive 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.
Proven trial advocacy skills are required.
Ability to proactively and independently manage individual caseload working on a team with a paralegal.
Proficient using Microsoft suite of products (Word, Excel, Power Point).
Must be able to utilize case management software effectively to stay organized and expedite file handling.
Proactive file handling and good communication skills are a must.
Significant experience with mediations and trials in the GA state courts.

Nice To Haves

Additional consideration for candidate with subrogation experience.
Insurance defense experience including both personal lines and commercial lines cases.
Areas of practice preferred but not limited to: Appellate practice, commercial auto, commercial premises, commercial material damage, commercial properly, complex commercial, complex personal lines liability, homeowners liability, dog bite, slip and fall/trip and fall, trucking, liquor liability, wrongful death, federal practice, liquor liability, material damage, personal lines auto, personal lines property damage, premises liability, products liability, trucking defense, workers’ compensation, and uninsured/underinsured motorist.

Responsibilities

Defense civil litigation in GA counties for both state and federal courts.
Handle all aspects of the case, including pleadings, written discovery, depositions, legal research, recognition of expert involvement, risk transfer, dispositive motions and trials.
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.