Sr Trial Attorney (Insurance Defense)
Nationwide Trial Division | Hybrid – Greater NYC / Tri‑State (Garden City or Elmsford, NY)
Would you thrive in a role where trial skills matter , collaboration is real , and you have the autonomy to run complex commercial cases as lead counsel —without billable‑hour pressure?
Nationwide Trial Division (NTD) is seeking an experienced Senior Trial Attorney to join our New York team. This role is ideal for a seasoned commercial litigator who wants meaningful courtroom work, a sophisticated docket, and the stability and support of a Fortune 100 company. Why Nationwide Trial Division
Nationwide Trial Division is a national litigation organization with 40+ offices across six regions , built for attorneys who want to practice law at a high level while working in a modern, collaborative, technology‑enabled environment.
✅ No billable hour requirements ✅ Complex commercial and personal lines litigation ✅ Lead‑counsel responsibility ✅ Hybrid work flexibility ✅ Strong partnership with claims and enterprise leaders
Your Role
As a Senior Trial Attorney , you will independently manage and try cases under both commercial and personal lines insurance policies , handling matters from inception through verdict or resolution. You will serve as lead trial counsel , mentor junior attorneys, and partner closely with claims professionals. Your caseload will include a diverse mix of high‑exposure and complex matters , tailored to your experience and concentration.
Areas of Practice May Include
- Commercial & Personal Auto Liability
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Trucking / Transportation Defense
- Property Damage
- Wrongful Death
- New York Labor Law (240/241)
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as lead counsel in civil litigation matters through trial and resolution
- Manage complex litigation independently with minimal oversight
- Develop and execute litigation strategy, discovery plans, and trial preparation
- Conduct depositions, hearings, mediations, and trials
- Provide timely, well‑reasoned case valuations and risk assessments
- Partner closely with claims professionals and internal stakeholders
- Demonstrate mastery of procedural rules, evolving case law, and litigation technology
- Mentor and support junior attorneys and legal staff
- Build internal and external professional relationships that strengthen Nationwide’s litigation practice
What We’re Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
- Active license in New York (or ability to obtain promptly)
- 8+ years of civil litigation experience , with significant commercial insurance defense exposure
- Proven trial advocacy skills (lead or first‑chair civil trials preferred)
- Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills
Preferred Experience
- Commercial auto, premises, products, or Labor Law defense
- High‑exposure or complex litigation
- Ability to manage a varied docket across jurisdictions
- Mentorship or informal leadership experience
Work Location & Flexibility
- Hybrid role based in the Greater NYC / Tri‑State region
- Nationwide Trial Division offices located in Garden City and Elmsford, NY
- Moderate travel required (including occasional overnight travel)
Why This Role Works for Senior Litigators
This is not a high‑volume staff‑counsel role. It is a true senior trial position for attorneys who want:
- Trial credibility
- Strategic case ownership
- Respect for professional judgment
- Collaboration with experienced peers
- Long‑term career stability without sacrificing courtroom work
Apply Today
If you are a commercial trial attorney ready to practice at a high level—with the support, technology, and culture to do it well—we’d love to speak with you.
Join Nationwide Trial Division and help protect people, businesses, and futures with extraordinary care.
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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 which 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.
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
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. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule.
The national salary range for Sr Trial Attorney : $138,000.00-$243,000.00
The expected starting salary range for Sr Trial Attorney : $138,000.00 - $206,000.00
