Sr Paralegal - Workers' Compensation

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 can be a hybrid or fully remote work opportunity. The position will report to our Newport Beach Trial Division Office. Workers' compensation defense experience preferred.

No billable hours. 1 : 1 attorney / paralegal ratio.

Job Description Summary

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 enjoy having a diverse workload, are adaptable, technologically skilled, possess strong collaboration skills and bring a team-oriented approach needed for success in a civil litigation environment, our team may be the place for you!

Nationwide Trial Division (NTD) is a national team with approximately 40 offices through four regions across the United States. Our Senior Paralegals require low to moderate guidance and oversight, have a strong working knowledge of property and casualty insurance defense and / or subrogation law, as well as strong knowledge in legal concepts, terminology, and processes. As a Senior Paralegal, you will provide pre-trial and trial support to a team of legal professionals representing clients under both commercial and personal lines insurance policies. You will support highly productive legal teams with a case volume that reflects our collective commitment to strategic and proactive file handling, innovative thinking, effective collaboration, embracing technology, and a highly organized approach to case management.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities :

• Provides direct pre-trial and trial support generally for litigated matters with varied complexity. Assists in the drafting, review, filing, and service of pleadings, motions, and at times complex motions such as motions in limine and dispositive motions, discovery, and subpoenas. Reviews and drafts documents for document production requests. Analyzes and drafts responses to incoming discovery. Reviews and summarizes medical records. Conducts legal research and writing assignments, which may include the preparation of medical chronologies, drafts impactful deposition summaries of fact and expert witnesses. Proactively assists the attorney to move case files to trial / resolution. May also attend case related events, provides trial support, and supports and / or is a change champion in technology.
• Brings a well-developed sense of organization to coordinate workflow, maintain filing and follow up system, and support the overall litigation strategy. Coordinates and schedules depositions, hearings, and meetings; and communicates with clients and expert witnesses.
• Provides administrative support to trial team(s), including the retrieval of information from our document management system, and the assembly of exhibits, binders, and appendices for depositions, court filings, hearings, and trial. Maintains working knowledge of court procedures and local rules. Reviews court dockets and retrieves case information.
• Understands and maintains confidentiality with respect to the attorney-client privilege / relationship, trial strategies, ethics rules, the identities of the plaintiff, defense clients and claims' customers.
• Performs legal assistant and other administrative duties.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships : Reports to Managing Trial Attorney.

Typical Skills and Experiences :

Education : Undergraduate studies in business administration, insurance, or other related area(s) preferred.

License / Certification / Designation : Certification in paralegal studies strongly preferred and / or demonstrated insurance litigation related paralegal experience.

Experience : Typically, five years of experience in a paralegal capacity doing demonstrated insurance related litigation.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills : Has strong knowledge of each file assigned to trial team(s) and is capable of understanding the relevancy of case information. Has general knowledge of law office operations, practices, and procedures. Experience in filing and scheduling procedures of the various courts, the use of federal and state e-filing and e-Court systems. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, and case management databases, such as Legal Files, is preferred. Understanding of both personal and commercial lines policies is preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills for interaction with attorneys, paralegals, court personnel, clients, and claims staff. Strong research and organizational skills, detail oriented, focused, technologically savvy, adaptable to learning new systems and processes, and can prioritize and multi-task. Exercises independent initiative and judgment in daily tasks. Must also acknowledge and comply with all corporate and NTD policies and procedures. Complies with the private practice of law policy and the ethical rules of the state where the position is located.

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 Human Resource Business Partner.

Values : Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions :

Overtime Eligibility : Eligible (Non-Exempt)

Working Conditions : Professional law office environment. Potential for hybrid work schedule. Occasional travel. Occasional overtime subject to approval.

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 fiduciary accountability within this job, a valid credit and / or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

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.

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NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES :

We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.

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 Sr Paralegal - Trial Division : $55,500.00-$113,500.00

The expected starting salary range for Sr Paralegal - Trial Division : $61,500.00 - $91,500.00