Junior Claims Legal Counsel

Desjardins; Aurora; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

4 weeks flexible vacation

Defined benefit pension plan

Group insurance including telemedicine

Telework equipment reimbursement

Job summary

Desjardins’ in-house Property and Casualty Insurance Defence team is seeking a lawyer to independently manage a diverse docket of litigation from start to finish, including auto claims, accident benefits, bodily injury, and coverage work. You will be paired with a leader invested in your development and success, with a supportive, collaborative culture across multiple offices.

You will hold a law degree with at least five years of relevant experience, including trials or arbitrations, and be in

Qualifications

• Requires a law degree and minimum five years of relevant experience.
• Experience with trials and/or arbitrations; accident benefits and bodily injury insurance experience preferred.
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario; strong professional ethics and client service are essential.

Responsibilities

• Independently carry a full load of litigation files from start to finish.
• Provide assessments to claims partners on liability and damages.
• Draft opinions, pleadings, and motions; conduct Examinations for Discovery.
• Lead case conferences, LAT hearings/arbitrations, and court appearances as needed.
• Collaborate with colleagues to deliver exceptional client service and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Litigation strategy

Examinations for Discovery

Pleadings & motions

Liability assessment

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) / Law degree

Job description

Come join our Property and Casualty Insurance Defence In-house Legal team of over 200 employees across 5 offices, including Toronto, Mississauga, Aurora, Ottawa, and Calgary. Independently carry a case load of litigation files, from start to finish, involving the defence of auto claims, accident benefits, bodily injury, commercial lines, property, subrogation, and coverage work. We will support your career as a lawyer by making your engagement and happiness a priority. Your growth and success are key - you will be paired with a leader who is directly invested in your personal and professional development and your distinct career goals. You will never be alone - teamwork and collaboration are essential to what we do. Your efforts and achievements will be valued and celebrated by management and your peers. We are committed to creating an environment where you can be your best self! You don't work at Desjardins. You grow with Desjardins. We don't offer you a job, we offer you job satisfaction! At Desjardins, work life balance is not just a concept - it is honoured and encouraged. More specifically, you will be required to:

• You're skilled at independently carrying a case load of files, from start to finish
• You're able to provide assessments to our claims partners on liability and quantum of damages
• You excel at drafting opinions, pleadings, and motions
• You enjoy conducting Examinations for Discovery
• You take charge when attending case-conferences, Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) hearings/arbitrations as well as Court for motions, pre-trials and trials
• You are passionate and interested in sharing and contributing to the growth of legal knowledge with your colleagues
• You strive to be part of a team that focuses on and delivers exceptional client experience and superior legal services

What we offer*

• Competitive salary and annual bonus
• 4 weeks of flexible vacation starting in the first year
• Defined benefit pension plan that provides predictable, stable income throughout retirement
• Group insurance including telemedicine
• Reimbursement of health and wellness expenses and telework equipment

*Benefits apply based on eligibility criteria.

What you bring to the table

• Bachelor's degree in law, Juris Doctor or in a related field
• A minimum of five years of relevant experience
• Please note that other combinations of qualifications and relevant experience may be considered
• Experience with trials and/or arbitrations
• Experience with Accident Benefits and Bodily Injury Insurance
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
  Action oriented, Collaborates, Customer Focus, Differences, Interpersonal Savvy, Nimble learning, Persuades, Plans and aligns

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

At Desjardins, we believe in equity, diversity and inclusion. We're committed to welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals, learning from their differences, embracing their uniqueness, and providing a positive workplace for all. At Desjardins, we have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We believe our teams should reflect the diversity of the members, clients and communities we serve.

If there's something we can do to help make the recruitment process or the job you're applying for more accessible, let us know. We can provide accommodations at any stage in the recruitment process. Just ask!

Trade Union (If applicable)

Job Family

Legal Affairs (FG)

Unposting Date

2026-10-16