AVP & Senior Counsel, Litigation

Canada Life; London; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Canada Life is seeking an AVP & Senior Counsel, Litigation to lead the Canadian Litigation and Employment team and to provide practical, timely legal representation on disputes affecting life, health and disability matters. You will report to the Vice-President & Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Employment and guide strategic initiatives across the organization.

You will supervise a skilled team of lawyers, coordinate with external counsel, and collaborate with senior management to

Qualifications

• Member of the Law Society of Ontario or Manitoba, and in another provincial bar is an asset.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in law firm, in-house, or regulatory body.
• Strong leadership and coaching experience for lawyers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Canadian Litigation and Employment team with strategic priorities.
• Provide practical and timely litigation advice to business units on complex matters.
• Oversee external counsel and coordinate litigation work with business partners.
• Advise senior management on legal risk, strategy, and policy implications.
• Collaborate with Canada Life Legal Group to ensure consistent, high-quality guidance.

Skills

Team leadership

Litigation management

Strategic advisory

Excellent judgment

Communication with senior management

Negotiation skills

Education

Bar admission in Ontario or Manitoba

LL.B./J.D. or equivalent

Job description

Permanent Full Time

Reporting to the Vice-President & Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Employment, as an AVP & Senior Counsel, Litigation, you will be a key leader of the Canadian Litigation and Employment team. You will support our Canadian business units by providing practical and timely legal representation and advice on a variety of legal disputes, with a focus on life, health, and disability-related litigation.

A key aspect of your role will be to lead a highly accomplished and engaged team of legal professionals with purpose and authenticity and to contribute to the strategic leadership of the team.

Your work will be wide-ranging, complex, and will provide the opportunity to develop expertise in dynamic practice areas within the litigation function. You will interact with and provide advice to senior management on a regular basis.

Litigation Advice and Support

• Offering deep litigation experience, creative legal skills, and a collaborative work ethic to deliver practical solutions to our business partners.


• Providing legal opinions, advice, recommendations to various business units on a range of litigation matters which affect or involve the Company.


• Managing the day-to-day requests for litigation advice, opinions and representation from various business units of the Company.


• Overseeing retaining, instructing, and managing external counsel retained to handle litigation.


• Working closely with business partners on select projects providing legal advice to further business goals and priorities.


• Assisting the Vice-President & Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Employment on select legal matters.

Team Leadership – Leading Others to Success

• Leading the development and implementation of strategic team initiatives and priorities that support team engagement and business objectives.


• Coaching, mentoring, and developing team members for in-role career development and succession planning.


• Recruiting, performance evaluation, goal setting and compensation activities for lawyers on your team.


• Providing guidance to the team and escalating issues proactively to senior leadership.


• Collaboratively working with various business groups and functional partners to establish priorities and coordinating litigation work and services.


• Working collaboratively with colleagues in the Canada Life Legal Group to ensure comprehensive and consistent advice is provided to the Company and to promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning.


• Organizing and leading a variety of litigation team meetings.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Member of the Law Society of Ontario, or Manitoba (required) and in another provincial bar, for example British Columbia (asset).


• 10+ years of relevant work experience (law firm, in-house, or regulatory body).


• Strong experience leading and coaching a team of strong legal professionals and guiding them in their practice and career development.


• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to synthesize and present complex issues with clarity to senior management in all business and functional areas.


• Excellent judgment, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to identify key issues and provide an independent view to management in a clear and practical manner, particularly on complex matters.


• Thorough understanding and up-to-date knowledge of relevant court procedures.


• Self-motivated, intellectually curious, adaptable, and growth-oriented mindset with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.


• Superior negotiating skills.


• Highly focused with attention to detail.

Given the size and scope of our organization, we have the flexibility for this position to be located in the following head office locations: Winnipeg, Toronto, or London.

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Being a part of Canada Life means you have a voice. This is a place where your unique background, perspectives and talents are valued, and shape our future success.

You can be your best here. You’re part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where your career and well‑being are championed. You’ll have the opportunity to excel in your way, finding new and better ways to deliver exceptional customer and advisor experiences.

Together, as part of a great team, you’ll deliver on our shared purpose to improve the well‑being of Canadians. It’s our driving force. Become part of a strong and successful company that’s trusted by millions of Canadians to do the right thing.

Canada Life serves the financial security needs of more than 13 million people across Canada, with additional operations in Europe and the United States. As members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies, we’re one of Canada’s leading insurers with interests in life insurance, health insurance, investment and retirement savings. We offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions for individuals, families, businesses and organizations.

We are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live, and to creating an environment where every employee has the opportunity to reach their potential.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Canada Life policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.