Senior Trial Attorney

The Senior Trial Attorney is a highly skilled and experienced litigation professional responsible for independently handling complex commercial, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation matter's through all phases of litigation. Serving as lead counsel or as a key member of a trial team, this position demonstrates exceptional trial advocacy, strategic judgment, and proactive case management while consistently delivering high-quality legal services aligned with client expectations and organizational standards.

The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in insurance defense and subrogation litigation, coupled with a strong background in commercial and construction defect claims. This individual serves as a trusted advisor to clients and claims professionals, provides strategic case assessments, and contributes to the development of junior attorneys and legal staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage a complex caseload of commercial litigation, construction defect, insurance defense, and subrogation matters from inception through trial or resolution.
• Serve as lead trial counsel and demonstrate advanced trial advocacy skills in jury trials, bench trials, arbitrations, mediations, and administrative proceedings.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies involving liability, damages, coverage issues, risk transfer, indemnity, contractual disputes, construction defect claims, and subrogation recovery actions.
• Provide timely, factually and legally supported evaluations regarding liability exposure, damages, settlement authority, recovery potential, and trial strategy.
• Proactively manage cases in accordance with Nationwide Trial Division methodologies, client expectations, and claims objectives while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain expertise in developments affecting commercial litigation, construction defect law, insurance defense, subrogation, and related legal disciplines.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with claims professionals, clients, experts, and business partners to support positive litigation outcomes.
• Collaborate effectively with support staff and leverage technology to maximize case management efficiency and litigation effectiveness.
• Mentor and develop junior attorneys and legal staff while serving as a role model for professionalism, collaboration, and legal excellence.
• Support business development initiatives and strengthen the Trial Division's reputation through exceptional client service and legal performance.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum of 15+ years of civil litigation experience required.
• Extensive experience in insurance defense and subrogation litigation is required.
• Significant experience handling complex commercial litigation and construction defect matters.
• Demonstrated success independently managing high-exposure litigation through discovery, motion practice, mediation, arbitration, settlement negotiations, and trial.
• Experience representing insurance carriers, insureds, self-insured entities, contractors, subcontractors, developers, property owners, and commercial clients is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of commercial litigation, construction defect law, insurance defense practices, subrogation recovery, and civil litigation procedures.
• Advanced trial advocacy and courtroom presentation skills.
• Exceptional analytical, legal research, writing, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of insurance coverage issues, claims handling practices, liability analysis, and recovery strategies.
• Proven ability to evaluate and manage complex, high-exposure litigation matters with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively advise clients, claims partners, and senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and relationship-building capabilities.
• Proficiency with litigation technology, electronic discovery platforms, case management systems, and electronic filing procedures.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and client service.