Senior Counsel - Excess & Surplus/Specialty

Nationwide; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 149,000 - 279,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off

401(k)

Pension plan

Casual attire

Job summary

Nationwide is seeking a Senior Counsel with extensive Excess & Surplus experience to guide business units on legal, regulatory, and product issues across multiple lines, including programs and delegated authority with distribution partners.

The role requires JD from an ABA-accredited school and 15+ years of experience, with the ability to advise senior leaders, manage complex projects, and contribute to strategic growth. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Licensed attorney with extensive Excess & Surplus experience.
• Strong experience with producer agreements and delegated authority.
• Ability to advise senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of state regulatory schemes across multiple markets.

Responsibilities

• Provides subject matter expert legal guidance on high-risk matters in E&S.
• Collaborates with business leaders and OCLO to align legal strategy with business goals.
• Leads complex, strategic, or sensitive matters with no established precedent.
• Manages external counsel budgets and develops internal talent.

Skills

Excess & Surplus

Producer contracting

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Legal writing

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Job Conditions

If you're passionate about being part of a diverse organization that enables a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales 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.

In this role, the Senior Counsel will be required to have significant experience and expertise guiding businesses in addressing legal, regulatory and product issues pertinent to the Excess, Surplus & Specialty marketplace. This includes experience in the Programs and other delegated underwriting authority segments of the Excess & Surplus industry, particularly with producer agreements and related profit sharing and alternative compensation agreements with distribution partners, to enable the maintenance and growth of these key wholesale channel relationships. The right candidate for this role will also be able to collaborate with other attorneys, business clients and functional clients on a broad spectrum of legal, regulatory, compliance and product issues across various commercial lines of business, including general liability, property, excess liability, inland marine, etc. The Senior Counsel in this role will also possess extensive knowledge and experience on common Excess & Surplus regulatory issues, and the state regulatory schemes impacting the marketplaces in which our businesses write.

The successful candidate will be a licensed attorney and recognized subject matter expert in Excess & Surplus (E&S) insurance, with a strong focus on Programs and other delegated authority business. Leveraging significant experience in producer contracting and distribution partner arrangements, this individual will serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders, navigating the evolving E&S regulatory landscape and supporting key growth initiatives.

Job Description Summary

Would you thrive in an environment where you can deliver top-quality legal services to support the goals and objectives of a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company? If you possess the legal education, skills and expertise needed to provide outstanding service, advice, and counsel, we want to hear from you!

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Provides the highest level of subject matter expertise for legal specialties on significant, high-risk, or highly complex legal matters. Regularly attends business partner meetings to better understand business processes and needs.
• Identifies and logically assesses potential legal risks. Creates risk management/mitigation recommendations using sound risk assessment information to further achievement of business objectives. Drafts necessary legal documents and develops conclusions and recommendations.
• Regularly interacts with senior leaders in Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) or the company on legal matters within area(s) of legal expertise. Has input into or influence on company decision-making.
• Creates practical and effective solutions to the most complex legal issues with no established precedent; develops creative solutions to unique legal problems; has significant interaction with persons outside of the company.
• Takes the lead role in matters that are highly complex, strategic, or sensitive in nature. Understands the business partner's position and needs.
• Keeps senior leaders and appropriate management of company informed of case law and new legislation, as appropriate. Considers the long‑term business and strategic consequences of possible outcomes. Delivers difficult messages or news, and challenges business partners when necessary; responds to challenges to advice and counsel directly and effectively.
• Brings a broad network of established relationships, both internal and external, to the organization, particularly in recognized areas of subject matter expertise.
• Works independently and may lead teams to resolve highly complex legal and organizational issues.
• Makes recommendations about and ensures compliance with approved outside counsel budget.
• Hires and develops talent, provides consistent coaching and feedback

May Perform Other Responsibilities As Assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to Vice President/Associate Vice President/Managing Counsel; may lead a team of Legal professionals.

Typical Skills And Experiences

Education

Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.

License/Certification/Designation

Associates reporting within Nationwide’s OCLO who are functioning in attorney roles must be fully licensed in accordance with OCLO policy, in good standing and in compliance with all continuing legal education requirements at all times in the state(s) in which they practice.

Experience

Typically has 15 or more years of relevant legal experience. May have management experience. Has significant experience with or knowledge of one or more areas of law, complex legal practices and procedures, project management concept and techniques. Considered a subject matter authority within his or her areas of legal expertise. Sound business acuity and knowledge of the business goals and objectives as they relate to the matter at hand.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills for contacts interacting with all levels within OCLO and with business partners. Analytical ability to interpret statutes, regulations, insurance policies and other contracts. Decision-making ability to set work priorities and make recommendations. Ability to lead cross-functional projects. Ability to lead, initiate, organize and coordinate highly complex projects and/or cases. Takes the lead role in negotiations that are complex, strategic, or sensitive in nature. Supervisory skills useful. Significant professional and/or civic involvement.

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 Nationwide Values.

Overtime Eligibility

Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions

Normal office environment. Some travel may be required.

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 and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 09/02/2026. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.

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
• and more

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.

This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states.

Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations. For more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at 888-944-2247.

For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/02/ls740_1.pdf

Nationwide pays on a geographic‑specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range. Note on Compensation for Part‑Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full‑time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full‑time schedule.

The national salary range for Senior Counsel - 651000 : $149,000.00-$279,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Senior Counsel - 651000 : $149,000.00 - $249,000.00