Associate Lawyer, Trial & Defence

Clyde & Co; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Flexible paid time off

Performance bonuses

Referral rewards

Mentorship & career growth

Engaging culture

Inclusive parental leave

Global mobility program

Career development

Comprehensive health benefits

Robust disability coverage

Job summary

Clyde & Co is seeking an Associate with 2 to 4 years of civil litigation and/or insurance experience to join its litigation group in Ontario. You will handle matters from initial assessment to trial, advise clients, participate in examinations for discovery, and collaborate with partners on complex coverage issues.

Qualified candidates are licensed in Ontario and demonstrate strong writing, analytical, and advocacy skills.

Qualifications

• Graduate from a recognized university and licensed to practice law in Ontario.
• 2–4 years of post-qualification civil litigation and coverage experience.
• Exceptional legal writing and communication skills.
• Sound judgement and legal reasoning; strong analytical abilities and problem-solving.
• Proven advocacy talent and strong integrity.
• Interpersonal skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and client-building mindset.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal analysis and advice in litigation, focusing on insurance, professional negligence, construction, and related coverage matters.
• Carry litigation and coverage files with partners from assessment through trial.
• Analyze issues, advise clients, and attend examinations for discovery.
• Prepare correspondence to counsel and clients; maintain insurer/insured relations.
• Review documents, file submissions, and appear in court for motions, pre-trials and trials.
• Contribute to practice management tasks and ongoing skill development.
• Attend Canadian Bar Association events for professional/business development.

Skills

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Client relations

Education

Ontario Bar admission

Job description

Clyde & Co has an opening for an Associate with 2 to 4 years of experience in insurance and/or civil litigation experience to join its litigation group. As a lawyer at our Firm, you will engage in matters involving all aspects of litigation including advising clients, examinations for discovery, mediations, arbitrations, trials and appeals. You will have the opportunity of working for a leading global law firm while further developing your career.

What You’ll Do

• Providing legal analysis and advice in litigation, with a focus on specialty lines of insurance, professional negligence claims, construction professional litigation, and other sectors including insurance coverage related to commercial litigation, municipal law, municipal liability, police liability, occupier’s liability, liquor liability, property insurance, product liability, and cyber.
• In conjunction with partners, having carriage of litigation and coverage files, from initial assessment, pleadings, motions, discovery through mediation, pre-trial, and trial.
• Analyzing legal and factual issues and advising clients.
• Attending at examinations for discovery.
• Preparing correspondence to counsel opposite and clients.
• Maintaining relations with the insurers and insureds.
• Reviewing documents in preparation for litigation.
• Submitting filings to the court.
• Appearing in court, independently or with partners, to argue motions, attend pre-trials and mediations.
• Assisting with or conducting solo preparations and attending independently or with partners at trials or other adjudicative hearings.
• Attending Ontario or other Canadian Bar Association events for the purpose of professional and business development opportunities.
• Performing certain tasks related to the practice management side of the legal work.
• Developing his/her overall set of skills in an on-going fashion.
• Meeting other related business needs or priorities as they may arise from time to time.

We're Looking For Someone Who

• Graduate from a recognized University / Common Law School with a license to practice law in Ontario (member in good standing with the Ontario Bar)
• 2 to 4 years of post-qualification civil litigation and coverage experience
• Exceptional legal writing and communication skills.
• Sound judgement and legal reasoning, excellent analytical skills, and creativity in solving problems.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies, present a clear plan to the client, and communicate instructions rigorously and precisely.
• Proven advocacy talent.
• High integrity and intellectual rigor.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and keen interest in building client relationships.
• Able to work independently, as well as in a team.

Why Join Us?

Benefits

At Clyde & Co, we believe in supporting your professional growth while ensuring you have the flexibility and benefits you need to thrive. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Hybrid Work Flexibility – Enjoy a perfect balance between remote and in-office work.
• Flexible Paid Time Off – Attorneys are trusted to use their professional judgment to take paid time off as needed.
• Performance Bonuses – A monthly bonus plan in addition to the annual performance-based bonuses
• Referral Rewards – Earn generous bonuses for introducing talented colleagues to our team.
• Mentorship & Career Growth – Access strong mentorship, global training programs, and career development support.
• Engaging Culture – Participate in exciting social events, volunteer and community service initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
• Inclusive Parental Leave – Six months fully paid, for all parents regardless of gender or path to parenthood.
• Global Mobility Program – Participate in client-facing events across North America and explore our international offices.
• Career Development: Access regional and global associate training and career development programs.
• Comprehensive Health Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Robust Disability Coverage – Comprehensive short-term and enhanced long-term disability plans.

The position relates to an existing vacancy.
The salary range for this position is 125,000$-175 000$. The range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

The Firm

When you work at Clyde & Co, you join a team of 500 partners, 2,400 lawyers, 3,200 legal professionals and 5,500 people in nearly 70 offices and associated offices worldwide. Our values are the principles that guide the decisions we make, unite us in our endeavours and strengthen our delivery, for both our clients and our firm. We work as one, excel with clients, celebrate difference and act boldly. We are committed to operating in a responsible way by progressing towards a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities and clients it serves. We are devoted to providing an environment in which everyone can realise their potential, using its legal and professional skills to support its communities. We do this through pro bono work, volunteering and charitable partnerships, and minimising the impact it has on the environment, including through our commitment to the SBTi Net-Zero standard and the setting of ambitious emissions reduction targets.

Our Commitment

Clyde & Co is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Our values encourage us to support fairness, celebrate diversity and prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace to allow everyone to excel at work. Therefore, we welcome and encourage all applications from suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background or identity. Learn more about our interview process.

A Note on Privacy

Please take a moment to read our privacy notice. This describes what personal information Clyde & Co (we) may hold about you, what it’s used for, how it’s obtained, your rights and how to contact us as a data subject.
If you are submitting a candidate as a Recruitment Agency Partner, it is an essential requirement and your responsibility to ensure that candidates applying to Clyde & Co are aware of this privacy notice.
This is the job description as constituted at present; however, Clyde & Co reserves the right to reasonably amend it in accordance with the changing needs of the business.