Managing Trial Attorney (Newport Beach)

Job Overview

This position can be a hybrid work schedule or fully remote in Southern California supporting our Newport Beach, CA Trial Division office.

The Managing Trial Attorney (MTA) will manage approximately 12 direct reports, including attorneys and paralegals, and assist with managing the operational aspects of the Newport Beach office. The MTA will oversee Commercial and Personal Lines files, including Bodily Injury Commercial, Commercial Auto, Complex Commercial, Complex Personal Lines, Premises Liability, Bodily Injury Auto, Bodily Injury Homeowners, Bodily Injury Dog Bite, Property Damage, Products Liability, Construction Defects, and Federal Court Actions. Venues include Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial Counties.

Candidates will be expected to have diverse experience in multi-lines of business and demonstrated leadership skills necessary for managing attorneys and paralegals in both office and hybrid environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Implements and leads all aspects of NTD standard methodologies, processes and guidelines, providing training as needed. Partners with National Practice Group Associate Vice Presidents on any performance‑related matters regarding specialty areas. Assists in identifying and sharing opportunities for increasing attorney proficiency in niche and commercial practice areas.
• Maintains and promotes good relationships with clients and claims management.
• May lead attorney, paralegal and/or support staff performance and efficiency for assigned office. Reviews and may assign work, monitors quality and efficiency, and is responsible for development, coaching and feedback, training and mentoring individual associates. Assesses case performance on open and closed files of direct reports; seeks feedback from claims partners and the office lead MTA (8-2). May maintain a case load, ideally no more than 10 cases.
• Assists with the preparation of various business reports in order to manage office. Reviews and analyzes trends and recommendations to lead MTA (8-2) regarding short‑term and long‑term critical business decisions.
• Co‑manages and coordinates all administrative functions, including expense management, for the office. Collaborates with business operations to ensure that administration services provided to the office are at acceptable levels.
• Monitors and responds to office growth demands or reductions in workforce, including staffing, physical plan and technology needs. Plans and coordinates projects regarding systems and processes changes.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to Managing Trial Attorney (8-2). Manages a team of attorneys, paralegals and/or support staff. Composition and number of reports will vary depending on office.

Qualifications

Education

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

License/Certification

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

Experience

Typically has 10+ years of relevant civil litigation, trial experience, and jury trial experience as lead counsel preferred. Management experience required.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

• Expertise in highly complex matters of law.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Excellent analytical and legal skills.
• Creative problem solver, computer savvy with a solid understanding of basic software.
• Good time management and organization skills.
• Comfortable contact with all levels of management.
• Ability to train trial attorneys, paralegals and support staff.
• Decision‑making ability to set work priorities and make recommendations.
• Ability to initiate, prioritize and coordinate complex projects and cases.
• Strong leadership skills, including motivating, influencing and problem solving.
• Stays in sync with private practice of law policy and ethical rules of the state.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Values

Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide values.

Job Conditions

Overtime Eligibility

Not Eligible (Exempt).

Working Conditions

Normal office environment. Frequent travel. Occasional overnight travel. Extended hours often necessary to meet the demands of the profession.

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 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.

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 (or classification) protected by applicable law.

Compensation

National salary range for Managing Trial Attorney: $138,000.00–$243,000.00.

Expected starting salary range: $138,000.00–$206,000.00.

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.