Sr. Trial Attorney

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Glendale, CA

1d•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, focusing on delivering innovative business solutions with excellence. The position emphasizes customer-centricity and delivering extraordinary care, with no billable hours. The ideal candidate will have experience in insurance defense, covering both personal and commercial lines cases. This role can be located in the Los Angeles or San Francisco area, with hybrid or remote work options available depending on location. The Sr. Trial Attorney will thrive in an environment delivering top-quality legal services to protect people, businesses, and futures. The Nationwide Trial Division is a national team with approximately 40 offices across six regions. Senior Trial Attorneys are experienced litigators with significant civil litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation. They represent clients under commercial and personal lines insurance policies as lead counsel or as part of a 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, demonstrating innovative thinking, effective collaboration, embracing technology, and a proactive approach to case management.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
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 courts 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.
Valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.

Nice To Haves

Insurance defense experience including both personal lines and commercial lines cases.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates trial advocacy skills independently as lead counsel, or as part of a team, with efficiency, proactive case management, work ethic, and quality work product to handle all matters in accordance with Nationwide Trial Division (NTD) standard methodology guidelines, 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 for efficient case management.
Demonstrates consistent awareness of changes to the law, technology, local rules, procedural requirements, and other aspects of the legal and insurance industries that may impact liability and recovery litigation strategies.
Possesses and consistently performs with the subject matter expertise and trial advocacy skills required for all NTD concentrations held.
Demonstrates the ability and willingness to develop and learn additional or new NTD concentrations as required by NTD business needs and specified by NTD Leadership.
Provides factually, legally, and analytically sound opinions 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 the Office of the Chief Legal Officer and claims partners (senior director level and below), as well as with colleagues within the legal and insurance industries.
Utilizes relationships to build and improve NTD’s reputation and expand case referral opportunities within the enterprise.
Communicates effectively, consistently, and proactively identifying, understanding, and meeting client, claims, and internal NTD communication expectations (written and verbal).
Serves as a mentor for junior attorneys and NTD staff, providing guidance and training, and acting as a role model in terms of engagement, coaching, feedback, efficiency, attitude, and collaboration.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.