Insurance Defence Associate

Canadian Defence Lawyers; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four weeks vacation

Five personal days

Medical and wellness benefits

CPD funding

Tech-enabled practice

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Schultz Law Group LLP in Toronto is seeking an Insurance Defence Associate with 3–5 years of Ontario litigation experience to join our growing practice. You will independently manage a portfolio of insurance defence and civil files, conduct discoveries, attend mediations, and collaborate with partners on complex matters.

We offer a highly flexible hybrid model, mentorship, a transparent compensation structure with a $130,000–$150,000 salary, a 1,700-hour target, and four weeks vacation plus five

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ call in Ontario.
• Insurance defence and civil litigation experience.
• Experience managing files, conducting discoveries, attending mediations, preparing motion materials, and reporting to clients.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage an assigned portfolio of insurance defence and civil litigation files.
• Conduct discoveries, attend mediations, argue motions, and assist with arbitrations, trials, and appeals.
• Prepare pleadings, reports, opinions, motion materials, mediation materials, and other litigation documents.
• Work directly with insurer, corporate, municipal, and institutional clients.
• Collaborate with experienced litigation partners on complex matters.
• Delegate effectively to legal assistants and staff.

Skills

Advocacy

Civil litigation

Discovery experience

Mediation experience

Client communication

Organization

Tools

Microsoft 365

Teams

Job description

3–5 Years Call | Toronto | Flexible Hybrid

Salary
$130,000–$150,000 Target
1,700 hours Time Off
4 weeks + 5 personal days Model
Highly flexible hybrid

Insurance Associate 3–5 Years Call | Toronto | Flexible Hybrid
Salary
$130,000–$150,000 Target
1,700 hours Time Off
4 weeks + 5 personal days Model
Highly flexible hybrid

About Schultz Law Group

Schultz Law Group LLP is a Toronto litigation boutique recognized for its work in insurance defence, trial advocacy, arbitration, and appellate litigation. We act for insurers, corporations, municipalities, and institutional clients across Ontario and are known for our strategic, innovative approach to resolving complex disputes.
We are committed to developing exceptional litigators through mentorship, collaboration, innovation, and direct client engagement. We believe lawyers do their best work when they are trusted, supported, and given meaningful opportunities to grow.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a talented Insurance Defence Associate with 3–5 years of Ontario litigation experience to join our growing insurance defence practice.

This role is ideal for a developing litigator who wants sophisticated files, meaningful responsibility, direct client exposure, strong mentorship, and a long-term opportunity to build a career within a modern, high-performing litigation firm.

What You Will Do

• Independently manage an assigned portfolio of insurance defence and civil litigation files.
• Conduct discoveries, attend mediations, argue motions, and assist with arbitrations, trials, appeals, and other advocacy work.
• Prepare pleadings, reports, opinions, motion materials, mediation materials, and other litigation documents.
• Work directly with insurer, corporate, municipal, and institutional clients.
• Collaborate with experienced litigation partners on complex, strategy-driven matters.
• Delegate effectively to legal assistants, law clerks, articling students, and centralized administrative support.

What We Are Looking For

Required Background

• 3–5 years’ call in Ontario.
• Insurance defence and civil litigation experience.
• Experience managing files, conducting discoveries, attending mediations, preparing motion materials, and reporting to clients.
• Ability to independently handle an assigned file portfolio while contributing to partner-led litigation teams.

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong knowledge of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Insurance Act and related regulations, LAT Rules of Practice, litigation strategy, and file management.
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking, and strong negotiation skills.
• Accurate docketing, strong organization, deadline discipline, and careful client communication.
• Collaborative, accountable, professional, adaptable, growth-oriented, and low-ego/high-performance approach.

Why Join SLG

Meaningful Litigation Work

Sophisticated insurance defence files with opportunities to participate in discoveries, mediations, motions, arbitrations, trials, and appeals.

Direct Responsibility

Associates receive meaningful file ownership and direct client-management opportunities as their skills develop.

Strong Mentorship

File‑specific mentorship from experienced litigation partners, monthly partner‑led skills sessions, and ongoing career‑development support.

Flexible Modern Practice

A highly flexible hybrid model after onboarding, with a focus on results rather than face time.

Transparent Compensation

Salary range of $130,000–$150,000, a 1,700‑hour annual billable target, and a transparent bonus structure with significant upside potential.

No Origination Requirement

There is no requirement to generate business. Business‑development skills are developed gradually and authentically.

Technology-Forward Environment

A fully paperless, tech‑savvy practice using Microsoft 365, Teams‑based collaboration, workflow automation, and evolving AI‑enabled tools.

Long-Term Advancement

Clear opportunities to progress toward senior associate and partnership opportunities as your practice develops.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $130,000–$150,000, commensurate with experience, demonstrated litigation capabilities, file‑management skills, and ability to independently manage files.
• Transparent bonus structure with significant upside potential.
• Four weeks’ vacation plus five personal days annually.
• Comprehensive group benefits and wellness spending account.
• CPD funding, professional association membership funding, and internal/external skills‑development opportunities.

Work Model and Culture

During onboarding, associates work primarily in‑office to accelerate training, relationship building, and exposure to partners and clients. Following onboarding, the role moves to a highly flexible hybrid model based on client needs, mentoring opportunities, and personal preference.
Once per month, the entire firm gathers in person for training, collaboration, relationship‑building, and firm development. Lawyers also participate in a monthly partner‑led skills‑development session focused on advocacy, client management, negotiation, litigation strategy, practice management, and business development.

Website: www.schultzlawgroup.ca