Counsel

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!

• This position is within Nationwide Financial Legal and directly supports the Nationwide Retirement Solutions business and the Nationwide Trust Company, with a focus on resolution of day to day operational issues and challenges and providing advice on fiduciary and ERISA issues.
• This position also provides an opportunity to support Retirement Solutions anti-fraud efforts and strategies.
• Experience with both ERISA covered and non-ERISA covered plans is preferred.
• Prior experience with a third party administration firm is a plus but not required.

This position will be located in Columbus, Ohio but may be filled as a remote work from home opportunity if the candidate is located outside of Columbus.

H2 Pay Band

Colorado Residents: Email taproces@nationwide.com for salary information.

Job Description Summary

Would you thrive in an environment where you can deliver top-quality legal services to support business objectives of a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company? If you possess the strong legal and analytical skills needed to provide counsel and advocacy to our team, as well as to company leaders and associates, we want to know more about you!

We provide legal expertise that reflects our commitment to innovative thinking, effective collaboration and a proactive approach to our work. As Counsel, you'll provide legal services to one or more assigned areas, working primarily with Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) leaders and business partners. We'll count on you to work on routine to more complex matters and/or projects, with supportive supervision, to address legal questions or issues.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

• Manages legal matters regularly that are routine, as well as some more complex issues. Regularly attends business partner meetings to better understand business initiatives, processes and needs.

• Researches legal precedents and regulations, defines legal and factual issues, drafts necessary legal documents and develops conclusions. 

• Builds relationships and provides legal counsel primarily to other attorneys and business partners on legal matters within an area of expertise. 

• Assists with the effective resolution of routine to complex issues. May have occasional interaction with persons outside of the company on behalf of the organization.

• Keeps appropriate business partners and leaders advised of key issues that impact them. Stays informed of new legislative, regulatory, and case law activity in area of expertise. 

• Works as a team member on multiple group/client assignments.

• Leads teams on tasks, projects or assignments as needed. May train or mentor less experienced attorneys or paralegals on procedural, business or legal issues.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned. 

Reporting Relationships: May report to AVP / Managing Counsel/Senior Counsel/Counsel. 

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

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

License/Certification/Designation: Associates reporting within Nationwide’s 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: Proven legal expertise. Typically, four or more years of relevant legal experience.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Has a moderate amount of experience in an area of legal expertise. Knowledge of legal practices and procedures. Project management concepts and techniques. Proven verbal and written communication skills for interacting with mid-level OCLO associates and business partners. Analytical ability to interpret statutes, regulations, insurance policies and other contracts. Has limited decision-making ability. Ability to organize and coordinate projects and cases. Negotiation and conflict resolution skills. 

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

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions: 

Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not Eligible)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional or regular travel, depending on role. 

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 check will be required as part of the selection process.