Sr Trial Attorney

Nationwide; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 243,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off

Holidays

401(k) with match

Pension plan

Casual attire

Job summary

Nationwide in Houston is seeking a Senior Trial Attorney to lead complex commercial litigation, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation matters. You will act as lead counsel in trials and arbitrations while shaping litigation strategy across a national Trial Division.

The role demands a seasoned attorney with 15+ years of civil litigation experience, a Texas license, and a track record of mentoring junior lawyers in a fast-paced environment. Hybrid work three days/week in-office.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Texas.
• 15+ years of civil litigation experience.
• Significant experience handling insurance defense and subrogation matters.
• Extensive experience managing complex commercial litigation and construction defect claims.
• Proven success independently handling high-exposure litigation through discovery, motion practice, mediation, arbitration, settlement negotiations, and trial.
• Strong courtroom presence and advanced trial advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage complex commercial litigation, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation matters from inception through resolution.
• Serve as lead trial counsel in jury trials, bench trials, arbitrations, mediations, and administrative proceedings.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies involving liability, damages, insurance coverage issues, risk transfer, indemnity, contractual disputes, construction defect claims, and subrogation recovery actions.
• Handle all phases of litigation, including discovery, motion practice, depositions, settlement negotiations, mediations, hearings, and trials.
• Provide timely, factually supported, and legally sound evaluations regarding liability exposure, damages, settlement authority, recovery potential, and trial strategy.
• Maintain a highly productive caseload while delivering exceptional service and cost-effective legal representation.
• Effectively leverage litigation technology, electronic discovery tools, and case management systems to maximize efficiency and results.
• Stay current on developments in commercial litigation, construction defect law, insurance defense, subrogation, and evolving legal trends.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with claims professionals, clients, experts, and business partners.
• Communicate complex legal issues clearly and effectively to clients and key stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop junior attorneys and legal staff through coaching, training, and leadership.
• Contribute to business development efforts and strengthen the Trial Division’s reputation through exceptional legal performance and client service.

Skills

Trial litigation experience

Lead counsel

Mentoring juniors

Litigation strategy

Relationship building

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Texas Bar License

Job description

Would you thrive in an environment where you can deliver top-quality legal services that support the mission of a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company? At Nationwide, "On Your Side" goes beyond just words.

As a Senior Trial Attorney, you’ll serve as a trusted legal advisor and lead counsel on complex commercial litigation, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation matters. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned trial attorney to manage sophisticated, high-exposure cases while mentoring colleagues and helping shape litigation strategy within Nationwide’s nationally recognized Trial Division.

About the Role

The Nationwide Trial Division is a national team with approximately 40 offices across six regions in the United States. As a Senior Trial Attorney, you’ll independently manage a diverse and challenging caseload while partnering with claims professionals, clients, experts, and legal colleagues to achieve successful outcomes.

This role requires a strategic thinker, skilled trial advocate, and collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced litigation environment.

What You’ll Do

• Independently manage complex commercial litigation, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation matters from inception through resolution.
• Serve as lead trial counsel in jury trials, bench trials, arbitrations, mediations, and administrative proceedings.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies involving liability, damages, insurance coverage issues, risk transfer, indemnity, contractual disputes, construction defect claims, and subrogation recovery actions.
• Handle all phases of litigation, including discovery, motion practice, depositions, settlement negotiations, mediations, hearings, and trials.

Strategic Case Management

• Provide timely, factually supported, and legally sound evaluations regarding liability exposure, damages, settlement authority, recovery potential, and trial strategy.
• Maintain a highly productive caseload while delivering exceptional service and cost-effective legal representation.
• Effectively leverage litigation technology, electronic discovery tools, and case management systems to maximize efficiency and results.
• Stay current on developments in commercial litigation, construction defect law, insurance defense, subrogation, and evolving legal trends.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with claims professionals, clients, experts, and business partners.
• Communicate complex legal issues clearly and effectively to clients and key stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop junior attorneys and legal staff through coaching, training, and leadership.
• Contribute to business development efforts and strengthen the Trial Division’s reputation through exceptional legal performance and client service.

Qualifications

Required

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Texas.
• 15+ years of civil litigation experience.
• Significant experience handling insurance defense and subrogation matters.
• Extensive experience managing complex commercial litigation and construction defect claims.
• Proven success independently handling high-exposure litigation through discovery, motion practice, mediation, arbitration, settlement negotiations, and trial.
• Strong courtroom presence and advanced trial advocacy skills.

Preferred

• Experience representing insurance carriers, insureds, self-insured entities, contractors, subcontractors, developers, property owners, and commercial clients.
• Experience serving as lead counsel on sophisticated, high-value litigation matters.
• Demonstrated success developing client relationships and mentoring legal professionals.

What Sets You Apart

• Deep expertise in commercial litigation, construction defect law, insurance defense, and subrogation recovery.
• Exceptional analytical, legal research, writing, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of insurance coverage analysis, claims handling practices, and liability evaluation.
• Ability to independently manage complex, high-exposure cases with minimal supervision.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and relationship-building capabilities.
• Commitment to professionalism, integrity, collaboration, and client service excellence.

Work Arrangement

This is a hybrid role, requiring attorneys to work in the office three days per week.

On occasion, remote candidates who are licensed in Texas, reside in South Texas, and bring highly specialized industry expertise may be considered.

Why Nationwide?

At Nationwide, you’ll join a litigation team known for its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and legal excellence. You’ll have the opportunity to handle sophisticated matters, influence outcomes on high-profile cases, mentor future legal talent, and contribute to a nationally respected Trial Division.

If you’re a seasoned trial attorney looking to make a strategic impact while advancing your career with a Fortune 100 organization, we’d love to hear from you.

#LI-Hybrid #TrialAttorney #InsuranceDefense #Subrogation #ConstructionDefect #CommercialLitigation #LegalCareers #NationwideCareers #TexasAttorneyJobs

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 which will be required as part of the selection process.

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.

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 Sr Trial Attorney : $138,000.00-$243,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Sr Trial Attorney : $138,000.00 - $206,000.00