Counsel, Claims Litigation

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Claims Litigation Counsel in the range of 0-3 years of civil litigation experience to independently manage a diverse caseload of insurance-related litigation matters. This role is responsible for handling files from inception through to resolution, including attending discoveries, mediations, motions, case conferences, hearings, trials, and appeals; developing litigation strategies; providing legal opinions; negotiating settlements; and working closely with claims professionals and external experts.

The successful candidate will have experience managing litigation matters, have strong advocacy and negotiation skills, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and the confidence to independently carry a full caseload. Experience in insurance litigation, property damage, construction, bodily injury, accident benefits or subrogation claims is preferred.

This position offers the opportunity to serve as a trusted legal advisor to Definity’s Claims team while contributing to the successful resolution of a broad range of litigation matters.

What to Expect

• Independent carriage of tort and accident benefits litigation files from inception to trial or hearing which includes: LAT and arbitration hearings both written and videoconference; Small Claims Court and Superior Court trials; interviewing and instructing witnesses and experts; motions; examinations for discovery; case conferences; mediations; preparing court documents; reviewing and analyzing evidence; client reporting; providing legal opinions and devising recommended strategies; negotiating settlements and drafting settlement documents; working with and delegating to support staff
• Working with senior counsel on more complex cases, trials and hearings
• Opportunity for a varied litigation practice including accident benefits, bodily injury, property damage, construction and subrogated claims, priority & loss transfer claims.  
• Opportunity to contribute to Definity’s Claims Litigation Unit and Claims department via presentations, initiatives, special projects                    

What you Bring

• 0-3 years of post-call experience working in civil litigation, with preference given to insurance litigation with a law firm or in-house legal provider as well as those with some accident benefits experience
• Hearing, trial and contested motion experience is not required but will be preferred. The ideal candidate should have a keen interest in written and oral advocacy
• Experience handling a caseload of files with primary carriage; coordinating work on own files and senior lawyers’ files   
• High degree of personal ethics, integrity, and responsibility with an ability to deal with sensitive issues and safeguard confidential information 
• Assertiveness in practice, but reasonable and forthright
• Strong verbal and written communication skills across a range of contexts 
• Excellent negotiation and facilitation skills 
• Sound judgement, with the ability to critically analyze situations, problem-solve and deal with ambiguity and have the ability to provide meaningful advice and recommendations
• Confident and effective communication skills with Claims adjusters, insured clients, arbitrators, case managers
• Team player; ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues, support staff and managers
• Adaptable to a changing environment
• Ability to perform under pressure, meet deadlines and handle conflicting priorities 
• Comfortable with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Caselines and practice management systems
• Law Degree from an accredited law school (LLB or Juris Doctor)
• Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario to practice law as a lawyer in Ontario
• This role requires clearance of a background check and disciplinary action check

Salary Range: $108,700-$158,700