Sr Counsel, Claims Litigation

Definity is the parent company to some of Canada’s most long-standing and innovative insurance brands, including Economical Insurance, Sonnet Insurance, Family Insurance Solutions, and Petline Insurance. Our ambition is to be one of Canada’s leading and most innovative property and casualty insurers. We can’t do that without our people, so we embrace and encourage a culture that’s collaborative, ambitious, rewarding, and empowering.

We offer a flexible, hybrid work experience where employees work from the office and virtually depending on the type of work they are doing and who they are working with. Bring your true self and be a part of our journey. It’s better here.

What Can You Expect in This Role?

• Act as senior legal counsel in claims litigation matters for mid to high complexity 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 delegation to support staff
• Contributing to development of overall Claims Litigation Unit strategies and policies
• Play an advisory role to Definity’s Claims department in relation to claims litigation
• Travel as needed for claims litigation files
• Provide mentorship, training and support to junior and intermediate claims counsel as well as our claims partners on all aspects of file handling and strategy, advanced legal practices, and courtroom strategy
• Provide mentorship to law clerks and assistants, as necessary
• Provide high-level advice to Claims department on litigation handling, strategy, and risk management; providing educational seminars to Claims staff on litigation topics that support the development of Claims staff who are responsible for claims that involve litigation or are expected to lead to litigation.
  
  
  

What Do You Bring to The Role?

• Minimum 10+, ideally 12+ years of post-call experience working in civil litigation, ideally personal injury or insurance litigation with a law firm or in-house legal provider
• Trial experience will be preferred
• Experience handling complex claims, contested motions or appeals
• Experience with complex matters while handling full caseload with primary carriage
• Law Degree from an accredited law school (LLB or Juris Doctor)
• Licensed by and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Strong advocacy skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and PowerPoint
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills across a range of contexts
• Excellent negotiation and facilitation skills with a proven capability for effective presentation tools/methods
• Sound judgment, with the ability to critically analyze situations, problem-solve, and deal with ambiguity and have the ability to provide meaningful advice and recommendations
• Ability to perform under pressure, meet deadlines and handle multiple, yet sometimes conflicting priorities
• 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
• Team player, adaptable to a changing environment
  
  
  

Salary range is $111,300 - $205,500.

Interested in this role, but don't meet every requirement? We encourage you to apply! We know from experience that a candidate doesn't need 100% of the qualifications listed to bring incredible value to our team. We're actively seeking diverse backgrounds and perspectives to help us make insurance better. At Definity, inclusion, diversity, and equity aren't just "nice to have" — they're essential to our success.

What's in it for you?

• Hybrid work schedule for most roles
• Company share ownership program
• 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
  
  
  

Actual salary for the role may vary depending on work location of the successful candidate and other factors including but not limited to, skills, education, experience, working conditions and the local labour market.  In addition to base pay, 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.

Go ahead and expect a lot — you deserve it.

It's better here — but don't take our word for it. Definity was named by Great Place to Work as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada for women, for youth, and for inclusion.

Our inclusive work environment welcomes diversity and supports accessibility. If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting [email protected].

Background checks

This role requires successful clearance of background checks (including criminal checks and leadership references).