Counsel, Claims Litigation

Definity Insurance Company • North York, ON

8h • Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves the independent carriage of tort litigation files, including trials, appeals, contested motions, cross-examinations, examinations for discovery, and mediations. Responsibilities include preparing court documents, reviewing and analyzing evidence, interviewing witnesses, conducting out-of-court examinations/questionings, acting in mediations or other ADR, engaging and instructing experts (medical, financial, technical), surveillance, and other third parties. The role also entails client reporting, providing legal opinions, devising recommended strategies, negotiating settlements, drafting settlement documents, and delegating to support staff. There is an opportunity for a varied litigation practice, covering property damage, construction, bodily injury, and subrogated claims from inception to trial. Additionally, the position plays an advisory role to Definity’s Claims department regarding litigation strategy and claims litigation.

Requirements

• 2-7 years of post-call experience working in civil litigation, with preference given to insurance litigation with a law firm or in-house legal provider.
• Experience handling complex claims, contested motions and/or appeals.
• Experience with complex matters while handling a full caseload with primary carriage.
• 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.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills across a range of contexts.
• Excellent negotiation and facilitation skills with a proven capacity for effective presentation tools/methods.
• 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.
• Team player, 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.
• Clearance of a background check and disciplinary action check.
• High degree of proficiency with English is required to service customers, both internal to the company and external, across Canada.

Nice To Haves

• Trial experience is not required but will be preferred.
• The ideal candidate should have an interest in oral and written advocacy.
• Experience handling property damage, construction, and/or subrogated claims is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Independent carriage of tort litigation files, including 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.
• Working with and delegating to support staff.
• Carriage of property damage, construction, bodily injury and subrogated claims, from inception through to trial.
• Advisory role to Definity’s Claims department in relation to litigation strategy and claims litigation.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule for most roles
• Company share ownership program
• Incentive Program - Eligible employees may participate in various incentive plans which are paid out at the discretion of the company and subject to individual and company performance.
• Pension and savings programs, with company-matched RRSP contributions
• Paid volunteer days and company matching on charitable donations
• Educational resources, tuition assistance, and paid time off to study for exams
• Focus on inclusion with employee groups, support for gender affirmation surgery, access to BIPOC counsellors, access to programs for working parents
• Wellness and recognition programs
• Discounts on products and services

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level