Trial Attorney

Nationwide; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Pension plan

Job summary

Nationwide's Trial Division seeks a trial attorney in Washington to represent clients under commercial and personal lines insurance policies, with lead or team-based responsibilities.

The role emphasizes independent advocacy, proactive case management, and collaboration with claims and corporate partners. A strong background in civil litigation and insurance defense is preferred.

The position offers an exempt office environment with opportunities for professional development and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license in the state where the position is located (Washington).
• Typically more than three years of civil litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate trial advocacy skills independently as lead counsel, or as part of a team.
• Operating with low to moderate managerial oversight from the Managing Trial Attorney and NTD Leadership.
• Effectively utilizing technology and collaborating with support staff to ensure efficient case management and productivity.
• Staying aware of changes to law, technology, local rules, and other procedural requirements that impact liability and recovery litigation strategies.
• Maintaining subject matter expertise and trial advocacy skills in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation trial practice.

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

Job Conditions

Nationwide’s Legal team is looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care as part of a diverse organization that empowers a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales to deliver innovative business solutions with excellence. The preferred candidate will have insurance defense experience. Washington admission is required; Oregon admission is preferred but not required.

Areas of Focus

• Subrogation
• Appellate practice
• Commercial auto, premises, and material damage
• Complex commercial and personal lines liability
• Homeowners, dog bite, slip and fall/trip and fall
• Trucking, liquor liability, wrongful death, federal practice
• Personal lines auto and property damage, premises liability, products liability
• Trucking defense, and uninsured/underinsured motorist

Job Description Summary

Nationwide Trial Division is a national team with approximately 40 offices across the United States. Trial attorneys have moderate civil litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation. As a trial attorney you will represent clients under both commercial and personal lines insurance policies as lead counsel, with moderate to low guidance and oversight, and may handle cases as part of a larger team as needed. Caseloads include a mix of low to moderate complexity cases across courts and agencies in assigned jurisdiction(s). You will maintain a highly productive case volume that reflects innovative thinking, effective collaboration, technology use, and proactive case management.

Job Description

Key responsibilities include:

• Demonstrating trial advocacy skills independently as lead counsel, or as part of a team, and maintaining productivity, proactive case management, work ethic, and quality work product to handle all matters in accordance with Nationwide Trial Division (NTD) standard methodology guidelines and client expectations.
• Operating with low to moderate managerial oversight from the Managing Trial Attorney and NTD Leadership.
• Effectively utilizing technology and collaborating with support staff to ensure efficient case management and productivity.
• Staying aware of changes to law, technology, local rules, and other procedural requirements that impact liability and recovery litigation strategies in practicing jurisdictions.
• Maintaining subject matter expertise and trial advocacy skills in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation trial practice, and developing expertise to serve as lead counsel on more complex and higher severity cases.
• Providing factually, legally, and analytically sound opinions on case valuations that are communicated promptly to clients and claims.
• Establishing and fostering professional relationships within the Office of the Chief Legal Officer, claims managers, and the broader legal and insurance industries in applicable jurisdictions.
• Using relationships to reinforce NTD’s reputation within the enterprise and local communities.
• Communicating professionally and effectively in all formats and situations (verbal, written, client meetings, claims file conferences, etc.), and meeting communication expectations of clients, claims, and internal NTD stakeholders.
• Demonstrating dedication to development as a litigation attorney and NTD team member by seeking and accepting coaching and feedback, engaging in continuous improvement, and fostering collaboration.

Reporting Relationships

Managing Trial Attorney

Typical Skills and Experiences

Education
Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

License
Maintains an active license in the state in which the position is located.

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

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills
Moderate litigation experience in property and casualty insurance defense or subrogation; engagement in moderately complex legal practices; effective written and verbal communication; collaboration with staff and attorneys both on‑site and remotely; strong negotiation and analytical skills; computer savvy; adaptability to legal and technological changes; time management, organization, decision‑making, and legal research proficiency; adherence to private practice policy and ethical rules of the applicable state; compliance with corporate and NTD policies and procedures.

Values

Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide values.

Job Conditions

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt). Working Conditions: Office environment with some positions staffed working from home; frequent travel, occasional overnight travel, and extended hours may be required. Valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record required.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long‑term disability coverage, paid time off, paid holidays, lifetime paid time off, Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company‑paid pension plan, and business casual attire. For more information, click here.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 protected by applicable law.