Sr. Trial Attorney

NACBA; Sacramento, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Nationwide is seeking a Senior Trial Attorney to independently lead civil litigation in property and casualty defense or subrogation. The role emphasizes trial advocacy, proactive case management, and collaboration with claims partners across jurisdictions.

The position can be located in Sacramento or the Northern California Bay Area, with hybrid or remote work options depending on location. A JD from an accredited school and an active state license are required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license in the state of practice.
• Typically 8+ years of civil litigation experience in property & casualty defense or subrogation.
• Mentor junior attorneys and staff; independent practice with teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients as lead counsel in civil litigation across courts and agencies.
• Demonstrate efficient, proactive case management and strong work product.
• Collaborate with claims partners and senior leadership; build relationships.
• Leverage technology to enhance case handling and client service.
• No billable hours; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Trial advocacy

Lead counsel

Case management

Technology literacy

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor

Tools

Legal research tools

Job description

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 place for you!

Nationwide Trial Division is a national team with approximately 40 offices through six regions across the United States. Our Senior Trial Attorneys are seasoned litigation attorneys with significant civil litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation. As a Senior Trial Attorney, you’ll represent clients under both commercial and personal lines insurance policies independently as lead counsel, as well as be part of a larger team as needed. Caseloads are typically including a mix of cases varying in complexity, severity, product lines, and specialized concentrations, throughout all courts and agencies in the assigned jurisdiction(s). You’ll be expected to maintain a highly productive case volume that reflects our collective commitment to innovative thinking, effective collaboration, embracing technology and a highly organized and proactive approach to case management.

Key Responsibilities:

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:

Typically, more than eight years of relevant civil litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation.

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

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

No billable hours!

The preferred candidate will have insurance defense experience including both personal lines and commercial lines cases.

This position can be located in Sacramento or Northern California Bay Area

It can be hybrid or remote work option depending on location.