Counsel – Claims Litigation

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Claims Litigation Counsel with 2-5 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, 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 litigation files, which includes attending at trials and appeals, contested motions, cross-examinations, examinations for discovery and mediations, preparing court documents, reviewing and analyzing evidence, interviewing witnesses, conducting out-of-court examinations/questionings, acting in mediations or other ADR, engaging and instructing medical, financial and technical experts, surveillance and other third parties supporting litigation, client reporting and providing legal opinions and devising recommended strategies, negotiating settlements and drafting settlement documents, and 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 carriage of bodily injury, property damage, construction, and subrogated claims, from inception through to trial

• Play an advisory role to Definity’s Claims department in relation to litigation strategy and claims litigation and also contribute to Definity's Claims Litigation Unit and Claims department via presentations, initiatives and special project

What you Bring 

• This opportunity is open to candidates in multiple locations, including Toronto, Oakville, Southwestern Ontario and Ottawa. We encourage interested applicants to apply regardless of location preference.

• 2-5 years of post-call experience working in civil litigation, with preference given to insurance litigation with a law firm or in-house legal provider 

• 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