Managing Counsel - Discovery Management, Litigation Technology

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 were looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

The Managing Counsel, Discovery Management, Litigation Technology role leads the Litigation Technology Center of Excellence and is responsible for all internal hosted reviews and project management functions, including all aspects of the Discovery Management Units e-discovery document reviews.

This role provide legal advice and process management for workflows across the entire EDRM--from data identification and preservation, through review, production and remediation. The role is also responsible for the creation, execution, and validation of specifications for ESI protocols, internal productions, e-Discovery workflows, and data mapping, protection, and remediation. This role leads the Records Management Compliance advice and counsel function for the Enterprise, and partner with leaders in Information Risk Management, Data Analytics, and NW Technology to provide technical evaluations, risk assessments, and legal counsel for all M365 applications as well as many new Enterprise technologies.

This position also plays a leadership role in Enterprise data management, advising on governance, storage and retention policies as well as directing advanced A.I.-supported data analytics exercises in support of the Corporate Litigation portfolio.

Role-specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides legal advice and leads strategic initiatives in partnership with IT, Digital Forensics, Claims Technology, P&C Legal, Records Management Compliance, Workplace Collaboration/M365 and OCLO Operations;
• Project Management: Designs innovative solutions to problems impacting multiple business units and takes a leading role on Litigation Technology projects, from scoping through implementation;
• Operationalizes manual e-discovery or data workflows, seeking efficiencies and cost savings through automation;
• Leads enterprise-wide data governance and remediation efforts; provides legal advice on purge defensibility;
• Provides early case assessment and legal advice on defensible Nationwide e-discovery practices to the corporate litigation portfolio and defense counsel;
• Leads IT Testing and Quality Assurance for new Corporate Litigation software, including advanced analytical and A.I.-based technologies;
• Conducts compliance and legal risk assessments and provides legal advice regarding proposed enterprise technologies;
• Maintains professional competence by conducting regular assessments of current and future litigation technology offerings;
• Manages vendor relationships benefiting the Corporate Litigation portfolio;
• Leads all efforts for Corporate Litigation hosted e-discovery review projects: Creation of review protocols, management of contract attorneys, database management, review standards and Q/A, and productions;
• Partners with defense counsel to protect Nationwide's sensitive data during e-discovery: Creates privilege logs, performs quality audits and confidentiality checks, and efficiently directs redaction projects using A.I. and reg-ex technologies;
• Provides legal counsel to Records Management Compliance on Enterprise retention standards;
• Tracks key e-discovery KPIs and creates productivity reports for e-discovery reviews and data remediation projects, highlighting cost savings to the Enterprise.

This position can be a remote work from home opportunity.

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#LI-REMOTE

Job Description Summary

Would you thrive in an environment where you can deliver top-quality legal services to support the goals and objectives of a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company? If you have great interpersonal communication skills and legal and leadership talent, we want to hear from you!

As Managing Counsel, you'll lead a team of attorneys and legal associates who provide counsel and assess legal risks for a broad range of matters, including significant and complex issues. You'll have opportunities to build relationships with multiple levels of leadership within Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) and the business units. We'll count on you to provide expert advice and counsel on complex matters in an area of responsibility or specialization.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads in identifying and assessing legal risks in sensitive, unique and/or complex business situations. Creates risk management/mitigation recommendations using sound assessment and legal skills.

• Helps business partners address situations of high exposure or risk; understands risk tolerance and considers it in the context of risk management strategies and actions. Has input into or influence on company decision-making.

• Builds practical and effective solutions to legal issues with no established precedent. Develops creative solutions to unique legal problems. May interact with persons outside of the company on behalf of the organization.

• Understands the business partner's goals, objectives and needs. Advises senior leaders on case law and legislative and regulatory matters. Considers the long-term business and strategic consequences of potential outcomes. Demonstrates strength with clients by clearly communicating legal requirements and cautionary counsel. Effectively responds to challenges and collaborates to achieve risk-mitigated outcomes.

• Builds and maintains a wide network of positive relationships at many levels within the OCLO, including at leadership levels.

• Leads and trains attorneys and/or paralegals on procedural, business or legal issues. Demonstrates strong team-building skills. Provides input into the strategic direction for the team, and is accountable for team performance.

• Manages day-to-day OCLO department operations, including performance management, salary planning and administration, training and development, workflow and organizational planning, hiring and placement and disciplinary actions.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Managing Counsel/Associate Vice President/Vice President/Senior Vice President. Supervises associates, attorneys, paralegals and/or support staff. Typically, has three or more direct/indirect reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: JD from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.

License/Certification/Designation: Associates reporting within Nationwides Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) who are functioning in attorney roles must be fully licensed in accordance with OCLO policy, in good standing and in compliance with all continuing legal education requirements at all times in the state(s) in which they practice.

Experience: Typically, has six or more years of relevant legal experience. Has demonstrated business knowledge. Must have leadership experience.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Has significant experience with or knowledge of one or more areas of law; sophisticated legal practices and procedures. Has demonstrated expertise in a specific product, service or legal specialty (employment, finance, regulatory, real estate, securities, tax, etc.). Possesses sound business knowledge with respect to the area of legal support. Understands staff and team mentoring and development techniques.

Strong verbal and written communication skills. Skilled at interpreting statutes, regulations, insurance policies and other contracts. Decision-making ability to set work priorities and make recommendations. Ability to initiate, coordinate and prioritize complex projects and/or cases that cross functional or business lines. Ability to lead negotiations that are complicated, strategic or sensitive in nature. Has leadership and management skills, including team building concepts, motivating, influencing, successfully leading through and inspiring change.

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

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring managers leader and HR Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not Eligible)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional travel.

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 and/or background which will be required as part of the selection process.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 06/02/2024. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.

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.

This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states.

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Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations. For more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at 888-944-2247.

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/file... style="text-align:inherit;">

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 Managing Counsel - 171439 : $121,000.00-$233,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Managing Counsel - 171439 : $131,000.00 - $197,000.00