Paralegal

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.

Insurance Defense litigation experience preferred.

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 six regions across the United States. Our Paralegals have experience in a law firm setting, require moderate to low guidance and oversight, have a working knowledge of property and casualty insurance defense and/or subrogation law, as well as extensive knowledge in legal concepts, terminology and processes. As a 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 legal teams with a high case volume that reflects our collective commitment to 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 for litigated matters of varied complexity. Assists in the preparation, review, filing, and service of pleadings, motions, discovery, and subpoenas. Reviews and prepares documents for production, and documents produced by other parties. Conducts legal research and writing assignments, which may include the preparation of medical chronologies and deposition summaries of fact and expert witnesses. Works with low to moderate supervision. 

• 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. Reviews court dockets and retrieves case information. Prepares case file and discovery impact reports. 

• 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.   

• Has working knowledge of each file assigned to trial team(s) and can understand the relevancy of case information as it pertains to assisting in preparation for depositions, hearings, pre-trial conferences and trial. 

• Brings a well-developed sense of organization to coordinate workflow and support the overall litigation strategy. 

• Performs legal assistant and administrative duties as directed.   

May performs other responsibilities as assigned.  

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Managing Attorney 

Typical Skills and Experiences:  

Education: Undergraduate studies in business administration, insurance or other related areas preferred. 

License/Certification/Designation: Certification in paralegal studies strongly preferred or developed paralegal experience. 

Experience: Typically, one year of experience in a paralegal capacity preferred, but not required if candidate holds appropriate certificate or relevant degree. Experience as a civil litigation paralegal preferred. A combination of experience in a legal setting and education will also be considered for the role. 

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Has general knowledge of law office operations, practices and procedures. Experience in filing and scheduling procedures of the various courts, as well as how to use federal and state e-filing and e-Court systems, Microsoft Office Suite, case management databases, such as Legal Files is preferred. Understanding of insurance practice civil defense in state courts and agencies and understanding of both personal and commercial lines policies is preferred. Effective verbal and written communication skills for interaction with attorneys, paralegals, court personnel, clients and claims staff. Strong organizational skills, detail oriented, focused, technologica