Managing Trial Attorney

If you're passionate about being part of a diverse organization that enables a Fortune 100 company to deliver innovative business solutions with excellence, then Nationwide's Legal team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

The Managing Trial Attorney will need to have case handling experience, leadership and management experience, must be licensed in Michigan and have state and federal experience. Federal licensure is a plus.

Concentrations that the candidate should be familiar with include, but are not limited to: Bodily Injury Auto, Bodily Injury Commercial, Bodily Injury Homeowners, Complex Personal, Commercial Auto, Commercial Property, Complex Commercial, Construction Defect, Federal Practice, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Property Damage, Trucking Defense, Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist, Subrogation (Auto, Property, Large Loss Rapid Response), and PIP.

This position will be a hybrid work from office with SuccessFlex options managing the Troy, MI Trial Division Office

Internal use: Grade 8

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Job Description Summary

Would you thrive in an environment where you can deliver top-quality legal services to support the mission of a Fortune 100 insurance company to protect people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care? If you possess the academic credentials, strong analytical skills and legal acumen needed for successful litigation work, our team may be the right place for you!

Nationwide Trial Division (NTD) is a national team with approximately 40 offices throughout six regions across the United States. As a Managing Trial Attorney (MTA), you’ll lead one of those offices within a region with the opportunity to directly influence and drive the office’s reputation, performance, and health in alignment with Nationwide’s overall mission and NTD’s strategic objectives. Similar to a managing partner, you’ll be accountable for all aspects of office operations, including staffing (trial attorneys, paralegals and support staff), case assignments, quality and delivery of legal services, budgeting, workflow and associate development and performance. You’ll work closely with senior leadership to grow the office’s case referrals, as well as cultivate strong and enduring relationships with claims partners at all levels. You’ll typically have no fewer than 10 direct reports, and in some larger offices, may lead a second MTA (H-4). There also may be limited opportunities for you to directly handle cases.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Implements, leads and stays in sync with NTD standard methodologies, processes and guidelines, providing training as needed. Knowledgeable in highly specialized and dedicated commercial practice and other specialty areas. Partners with National Practice Group Associate Vice Presidents on any performance-related matters in specialty areas. Identifies and shares opportunities for growing attorney proficiency in niche and commercial practice areas.

• Leads attorney, paralegal and support staff performance and efficiency for assigned office. May supervise MTA (H-4). Reviews, assigns work, and monitors quality and efficiency. Assesses case performance on open and closed files; seeks feedback from claims partners and NTD senior leadership. Ensures follow up and action plans are implemented and any deficiencies are resolved. Monitors ongoing compliance. May have limited opportunities to handle your own caseload (ideally no more than 5 cases, if any). Responsible for development, coaching and feedback, training and mentoring individual associates.

• Maintains and promotes good relationships with clients and claims management. Partners with senior leadership in recommending strategies to increase and retain claims business. Works with claim leadership to assess needs for litigation defense strategies for new product lines and new theories of liability and then works with NTD Leadership team on training and development opportunities for associates.

• Leads and coordinates all administrative functions, including expenses, for the office. Collaborates with Business Operations to ensure that administration services provided to the office are at an acceptable level. Serves as the primary contact for identifying NTD corporate real estate needs. Participates in site surveys/selections; partners with vendors in the relocation of Trial Division offices.

• Responsible for preparation of various business reports. Reviews and analyzes trends and recommendations to upper management regarding short-term and long-term critical business decisions. Assists leadership team with monitoring industry and litigation trends and making recommendations on development and training opportunities for staff.

• Monitors and responds to office growth demands and reduction in force, including staffing, physical plan and technology needs. Provides recommendations to senior leaders regarding increasing efficiencies and decreasing costs. Plans and coordinates projects regarding systems and processes changes. Ensures compliance with technology expectations and associate capabilities with technology.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationship: Reports to Regional Associate Vice President. Manages a team of attorneys, paralegals and staff support staff. Composition and number of reports will vary dependent upon office.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

License/Certification/Designation: Maintains an active license in the state in which the position is located.

Experience: Seasoned attorney in an area of law. Typically has a minimum of 15 years of civil litigation, trial experience, and substantial jury trial experience as lead counsel. Significant management experience required.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Deep or significant experience in a specific or highly complex area of law. Considered the subject matter expert within his or her area of legal expertise and/or possessing strong leadership skills to manage an area of expertise. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Significant negotiation skills. Excellent analytical and legal skills. Computer savvy with a working knowledge of basic software and use of the same. Good time management and organization skills. Contact with all levels of management and clients. Ability to train trial attorneys, paralegals and support staff. Decision making ability to set work priorities and make recommendations. Ability to initiate, organize and coordinate complex projects and cases. Strong leadership skills used to direct and /or indirect influencing such as team building, motivating, influencing and problem solving. Follows 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.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Frequent Travel. Occasional overnight travel. Extended hours are often necessary to meet the demands of the profession. Must have a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards. 

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

Credit/Background Check: Due to the fiduciary accountabilities of this job, a valid credit check and/or background will be required as part of the selection process.

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: 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, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.

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