Senior Trial Attorney

Nationwide; San Antonio (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Nationwide is seeking a Senior Trial Attorney to independently manage a diverse docket including commercial litigation, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation.

The role involves serving as lead trial counsel in various proceedings, developing strategic litigation plans, and mentoring junior attorneys within a hybrid office environment in Texas.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of commercial litigation and related practices.
• Advanced trial advocacy and courtroom presentation skills.
• Ability to manage high-exposure litigation with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a complex caseload of commercial litigation, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation matters from inception through trial or resolution.
• Serve as lead trial counsel in jury trials, bench trials, arbitrations, mediations, and administrative proceedings.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies involving liability, damages, coverage issues, risk transfer, indemnity, and subrogation recovery.
• Provide timely, factually and legally supported evaluations regarding liability exposure, damages, and trial strategy.
• Mentor and develop junior attorneys and staff while collaborating with claims professionals and clients.

Skills

Trial advocacy

Litigation management

Commercial litigation

Subrogation

Insurance defense

Construction defect

Mentoring

Client relationships

Litigation technology

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. The Senior Trial Attorney is a highly skilled and experienced litigation professional responsible for independently handling complex commercial, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation matter's through all phases of litigation. Serving as lead counsel or as a key member of a trial team, this position demonstrates exceptional trial advocacy, strategic judgment, and proactive case management while consistently delivering high-quality legal services aligned with client expectations and organizational standards. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in insurance defense and subrogation litigation, coupled with a strong background in commercial and construction defect claims. This individual serves as a trusted advisor to clients and claims professionals, provides strategic case assessments, and contributes to the development of junior attorneys and legal staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage a complex caseload of commercial litigation, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation matters from inception through trial or resolution.
• Serve as lead trial counsel and demonstrate advanced trial advocacy skills in jury trials, bench trials, arbitrations, mediations, and administrative proceedings.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies involving liability, damages, coverage issues, risk transfer, indemnity, contractual disputes, construction defect claims, and subrogation recovery actions.
• Provide timely, factually and legally supported evaluations regarding liability exposure, damages, settlement authority, recovery potential, and trial strategy.
• Proactively manage cases in accordance with Nationwide Trial Division methodologies, client expectations, and claims objectives while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain expertise in developments affecting commercial litigation, construction defect law, insurance defense, subrogation, and related legal disciplines.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with claims professionals, clients, experts, and business partners to support positive litigation outcomes.
• Collaborate effectively with support staff and leverage technology to maximize case management efficiency and litigation effectiveness.
• Mentor and develop junior attorneys and legal staff while serving as a role model for professionalism, collaboration, and legal excellence.
• Support business development initiatives and strengthen the Trial Division’s reputation through exceptional client service and legal performance.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15+ years of civil litigation experience required.
• Extensive experience in insurance defense and subrogation litigation is required.
• Significant experience handling complex commercial litigation and construction defect matters.
• Demonstrated success independently managing high-exposure litigation through discovery, motion practice, mediation, arbitration, settlement negotiations, and trial.
• Experience representing insurance carriers, insureds, self-insured entities, contractors, subcontractors, developers, property owners, and commercial clients is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of commercial litigation, construction defect law, insurance defense practices, subrogation recovery, and civil litigation procedures.
• Advanced trial advocacy and courtroom presentation skills.
• Exceptional analytical, legal research, writing, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of insurance coverage issues, claims handling practices, liability analysis, and recovery strategies.
• Proven ability to evaluate and manage complex, high-exposure litigation matters with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively advise clients, claims partners, and senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and relationship‑building capabilities.
• Proficiency with litigation technology, electronic discovery platforms, case management systems, and electronic filing procedures.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and client service.

It is our intention to fill this role based out of our San Antonio, TX or Irving, TX offices and this is a hybrid role requiring you to come into the office 3