Nelnet is a student loan servicer that's grown into a fiber internet pioneer, real estate investor, and software provider. But that's just the beginning. With 6,500 associates and growing, we take our business wherever superior customer experiences and ingenuity are needed. 

The perks of working at Nelnet go beyond our benefits package. When you join the Nelnet team, you're part of a community invested in the success of each individual. That support comes through in our work, as we are united by our mission of creating opportunities for people where they live, learn, and work.

Under the direction of the General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel, this role is responsible for managing all aspects of both significant and routine litigation matters, including fact investigation, strategy development, discovery, motion practice, mediation, settlement negotiations, trial and appeal. The Legal Counsel will collaborate with in house attorneys, compliance professionals, and business operations staff and management in the identification, mitigation, and prevention of litigation risk. The Legal Counsel will manage outside counsel and others in the management of cases on Nelnet’s behalf. There is an emphasis on proactive monitoring, risk identification, and escalation.

This position requires work in support of the Company’s contract with the United States Department of Education (“ED”). As such, the United States Government requires that any applicant for this position must complete United States Government security clearance. Effective June 1, 2018, ED has informed Nelnet that security clearance applications for foreign nationals are not being accepted or processed. In light of this direction from ED, Nelnet will be unable to hire applicants without United States citizenship for such positions.

At Nelnet, we are strong because we are inclusive. Everyone has the opportunity to learn, thrive and grow. Working together, we strive to erase disparities, promote justice, and end inequity. No one should be discriminated against because of their immutable qualities, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion or sexual orientation.

We are committed to creating a workplace where people from all social identities and backgrounds feel welcome and can thrive. We believe our rich diversity makes us more innovative, more competitive, and more creative, which helps us better serve our clients and communities. Nelnet is committed to being a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace and is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.    Responding to business inquiries regarding disputes, regulatory, bankruptcy, and litigation matters.
2.    Managing national civil and bankruptcy litigation case load, including docketing, managing preservation requirements, early case assessment, working with outside counsel, strategy, briefing, discovery, mediation, and resolution. 
3.    Coordinating internal eDiscovery email and document collection, conducting document review for production, and assisting with productions.
4.    Identifying and preparing operational associates for depositions, and attend depositions.
5.    Preparing for and attending case mediations and settlement conferences.
6.    Coordinating and handling small claims actions.
7.    Working with business segments to conduct root cause analyses, and recommend process improvements.
8.    Ensuring consistent strategy across business lines and jurisdictions.
9.    Reporting for Board, Executives, and General Counsel on litigation trends, costs, risks, and strategies on mitigating risk.
10.    Working with Risk and Compliance teams to identify potential issues/gaps in procedures or training.
11.    Working with our internal insurance team and insurance carriers as to case statuses, strategies and risk assessment.
12.    Review subpoena responses and coordinate subsequent requests.