Counsel

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Out-of-Scope
Permanent, Full-Time
Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)
Division: SGI CANADA
Closes: May 25th, 2025

Work Location: This role is eligible for hybrid work.  This means you’ll have the flexibility of working from home and in the office on a scheduled rotation. 

SGI CANADA is currently searching for Counsel to join our team in Toronto. This individual will have 3 - 6 years of experience, ideally in insurance defence. As a member of the legal team, you will provide legal opinions and conduct litigation for cases of moderate complexity for SGI / SGI CANADA. You will assist with more complex litigation under the direction of the Regional Senior Counsel. 

Key Accountabilities
Note: This section is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities – other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

Litigation

• Reviews claim files and provide the business with analysis in relation to issues of liability and quantification of damages together with any evidentiary impediments to success of litigation.

• Coordinates litigation strategy and timelines on litigation files.

• Meet with and advise clients, witnesses and expert witnesses (both internal and external) in relation to procedural and substantive aspects of their testimony at discovery or at trial.

• Directs and conducts investigations in order to obtain further evidence in support of the litigation.

• Prepares pleadings (claims and defences).

• Obtains, organizes and vets documents for legal production.

• Attends discovery, and court in advancing and defending the corporation’s legal position.

• Attends mediation, informal settlement negotiations and judicial settlement conferences and advises clients in relation to settlement issues.

• Assists the legal team in coordinating and organizing legal precedents.

• Provides seminars to internal clients on key aspects of the law which impact on their business practices.

Research/Opinions

• Conducts in-depth legal research and prepares legal briefs at the direction of the Associate General Counsel, Regional Senior Counsel or Senior Counsel on all issues affecting the corporation, but primarily in the areas of legislative or contractual interpretation, liability, quantification of damages and court processes.

• Conducts general research at the direction of the General Counsel, Regional Senior Counsel or Senior Counsel on evidentiary burdens and the need for experts in a variety of areas

• Provides ad hoc, oral and written legal advice to internal customers on an as needed basis under the direction and supervision of the Associate General Counsel or Regional Senior Counsel.

Corporate Matters

• Analyses and reviews of company agreements or proposed agreements focusing on the implications of minor legal issues.

Training/Education

• Maintains a working knowledge of insurance practices, and the legal aspects which impact on the corporation’s lines of business.

• Attends internal and external legal education and business courses to develop expertise in each of those areas.

• Maintains familiarity with existing insurance law, and other areas of the law which affect the company’s business pursuits.

• Assists in developing and conducting internal training seminars and materials for internal clients.

Leadership

• Actively contributes to and supports a culture of a high performing workforce.

• Participates in divisional succession plans, ensuring ongoing professional and career development and supports development in others.

• Supports a culture of leadership and accountability to effectively deliver on strategic and corporate strategies.

• Is actively committed to leadership development across the company, supporting team and workforce readiness through mentoring, training and developmental opportunities.

Corporate Management

• Enables the success of programs and policies that are in alignment with corporate, strategic and divisional strategies. 

• Manages risk in area of authority.

• Ensures that the Health, Safety and Emergency Management Policy is applied in area of responsibility.

Education & Experience

• A Canadian law degree, or defined equivalency.

• Called to the bar in the applicable jurisdiction.

• Three to six years’ experience in the general practice of law with a focus on insurance defence litigation.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of substantive and procedural laws.

• Knowledge of the Insurance Act and related legislation and regulations in the applicable jurisdiction.

• Knowledge of all acts in the applicable jurisdiction that directly or indirectly impact on the corporation’s core business.

• Knowledge of insurance claims litigation.

• Knowledge of the rules and responsibilities surrounding legal ethics.

• Knowledge of insurance practices and the legal aspect which impact on the corporation’s lines of business.

• Knowledge of the practices and procedures of all levels of courts in the applicable jurisdiction.

• Ability to critically analyze moderately complex multi-dimensional litigation across a broad range of legal issues.

• Ability to coordinate, prepare and advocate moderately complex matters or legal principles.

• Ability to distill moderately complex concepts and present them in layman parlance.

Diversity is a cornerstone of SGI. We believe all candidates should be given the opportunity to fully participate during the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, we invite you to submit your accommodation requests to us at [email protected] and we will work through your request with you. All information received will be kept confidential. 

Posting Close Date:

As you prepare to submit your application, and cover letter if applicable, please highlight the achievements that demonstrate why you're a great candidate for this role.