Managing Counsel, Casualty Claims Legal

If you're passionate about being part of a diverse organization that enables a Fortune 100 company 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.

This position will lead a team of attorneys serving as a center of excellence responsible for providing casualty-based claims legal support across all four sectors of the Enterprise’s P&C Organization.  Serves as the primary liaison for the casualty claims executive leader(s) assigned.  Performs as a project lead on casualty-related claims initiatives and projects, regardless of business sector involved.

The Managing Counsel will lead a team of 5 associates (all H-band counsel) that primarily provides and coordinates legal support for all casualty claims, claims litigation, and associated casualty claims practices and operations of the various P&C claims organizations.  Jurisdictionally, this team is responsible for 26 states including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Louisiana.

This can be a fully remote work opportunity

(Internal Use: 82)

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Job Description Summary

Leads a larger or more senior-level team of attorneys and other legal associates or a legal specialty in its entirety to ensure that all legal services are provided for one or more major businesses or areas of expertise. Leads team in actively identifying and logically assessing potential legal risks in routine to the most complex business situations. Provides independent advice and counsel on the most complex legal matters in an area of responsibility. Works closely with OCLO business and senior leaders to evaluate the legal impact of various corporate or department strategies. Proactively manages the relationship and interfaces with senior level business partners. Recognized for expertise and broad business acumen by leaders across the company and within the industry.

Job Description

Reports to: Reports to AVP / VP / SVP.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads a team to resolve highly complex and/or a broad range of legal and organizational issues. May independently work directly on or provides subject matter expertise on significant, high-risk or highly-complex legal matters. Regularly attends business partner meetings to better understand business processes and needs.
• Actively identifies and logically assesses potential legal risks in ambiguous, unique and/or highly complex business situations. Creates valuable risk management/mitigation recommendations leveraging sound risk assessment information to further achievement of the most complex business objectives.
• Regularly interacts with senior leaders in OCLO or the Company on legal matters within his or her area of responsibility. Has moderate level of 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. On behalf of the Company or the area of expertise, has periodic 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.
• Has a broad network of established relationships both internal and external to the organization, and at all levels.
• Leads a larger group of attorneys (and possibly related legal staff) supporting one or more business units within the Company. May have skip level reports.
• Leads and trains other attorneys or paralegals on procedural, business or legal issues. Demonstrates strong leadership skills in team building, motivating, influencing, successfully leading through and driving change. Provides input into the strategic direction for the larger team. Responsible for assigned unit's day-to-day OCLO departmental operations and leadership/managerial functions, including associate performance management, salary planning and administration, training and development, workflow and organizational planning, hiring and placement, and disciplinary actions. Team may include indirect reports.
•  Ensures compliance with approved organization and outside counsel budgets. May make team and outside counsel budget recommendations.
• Develops objectives for implementation of Department or Company legal initiatives.  
• Performs other duties as assigned.    

Leadership Accountability

  Developing Strategy -

  Providing Input on Strategic Direction -

  Executing Strategy -

Team Composition

Has responsibility for other attorneys, paralegals, and/or support staff. Typically has 3 or more direct / indirect reports.  

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education/Certification/Licenses: JD degree from an accredited law school. Maintains an active license in the state in which the position is located. Currently licensed as an attorney in an appropriate U.S. jurisdiction.  

Experience/Skills:  Legal expertise and broad business acumen recognized company-wide. Typically has 12 or more years of relevant legal experience. Must have leadership experience.

Has significant experience with or knowledge of one or more areas of law, complex legal practices and procedures. Project management concept and techniques. This position understands staff and team coaching and development techniques, setting strategy and managing to group objectives.  Considered a subject matter expert within his or her areas of responsibility. Sound business acumen and knowledge of the business goals and objectives as they relate to the matter at hand.

Strong oral and written communication skills for interacting with all levels within OCLO and with business clients. 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. Significant negotiation skills. Has strong leadership and management skills: team building concepts, motivating, influencing, successfully leading through and driving change. Has 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 HR Business Partner.

Values:  Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values and Guiding Behaviors.

Job Conditions:

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 Check: Due to the fiduciary accountabilities of this job, a valid credit check and/or background which will be requires as part of the selection process.

                                                                   

Evaluation Activity: 

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 01/30/2025. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: 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. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

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.

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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.

The national salary range for Managing Counsel - 171440 : $136,000.00-$268,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Managing Counsel - 171440 : $143,000.00 - $239,000.00