Senior Insurance Defence Associate

Canadian Defence Lawyers; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 128,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Performance bonus

CPD funding

Association membership funding

Wellness account

Job summary

Schultz Law Group LLP in Toronto seeks a senior Insurance Defence Associate with 5–8 years Ontario litigation experience to independently manage files within a partner-led team.

This growth hire offers a flexible hybrid model after onboarding, mentorship from partners, and a transparent compensation structure including a ~ $150,000 salary and substantial bonuses tied to billings.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years’ call in Ontario.
• Insurance defence and civil litigation experience.
• Ability to manage files independently with appropriate partner oversight.
• Experience second-chairing complex litigation matters.
• Strong technical knowledge of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Insurance Act and LAT Rules of Practice.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage insurance defence and civil litigation files with appropriate partner oversight.
• Take real ownership of assigned files, including strategy, client reporting, deadlines, and litigation execution.
• Second-chair complex matters and contribute to partner-led trial, arbitration, and appellate advocacy work.
• Conduct discoveries, attend mediations, prepare and argue motions where appropriate, and support complex litigation steps.
• Prepare pleadings, reports, opinions, mediation briefs, motion materials, and other litigation documents.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, partners, team members, and support staff.
• Leverage legal assistants, law clerks, articling students, and centralized administrative support effectively.

Skills

Insurance defence

Civil litigation

File management

Second-chairing

Rules of Civil Procedure

Insurance Act knowledge

LAT Rules of Practice

Microsoft 365

Outlook

Teams

Excel

Tools

Microsoft 365

Outlook

Teams

Excel

Job description

5–8 Years Call | Toronto | Flexible Hybrid

Salary
Approximately $150,000 Target
1,700 hours Time Off
4 weeks + 5 personal days Model
Hybrid after onboarding

About Schultz Law Group

Schultz Law Group LLP is a Toronto litigation boutique known for its strength in insurance defence, trial advocacy, arbitration, and appellate advocacy. We are recognized for challenging conventional approaches to litigation and delivering strategic, forward-thinking solutions that create more predictable outcomes for our clients.

Our culture is grounded in mentorship, collaboration, high-performance litigation, professional development, and innovative legal thinking.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a senior Insurance Defence Associate with 5–8 years of Ontario litigation experience who can independently manage files and contribute meaningfully as part of a partner-led team on more complex matters.

This is an intentional growth hire for a lawyer who brings both technical strength and professional maturity, and who is motivated to build a meaningful litigation practice within a supportive, high-performing team.

What You Will Do

• Independently manage insurance defence and civil litigation files with appropriate partner oversight.
• Take real ownership of assigned files, including strategy, client reporting, deadlines, and litigation execution.
• Second-chair complex matters and contribute meaningfully to partner-led trial, arbitration, and appellate advocacy work.
• Conduct discoveries, attend mediations, prepare and argue motions where appropriate, and support complex litigation steps.
• Prepare pleadings, reports, opinions, mediation briefs, motion materials, and other litigation documents.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, partners, team members, and support staff.
• Leverage legal assistants, law clerks, articling students, and centralized administrative support effectively.

What We Are Looking For

Required Background

• 5–8 years’ call in Ontario.
• Insurance defence and civil litigation experience.
• Ability to manage files independently with appropriate partner oversight.
• Experience second-chairing complex litigation matters.
• Strong technical knowledge of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Insurance Act and regulations, and LAT Rules of Practice.

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, judgment, and negotiation skills.
• Accurate and consistent docketing, strong time management, and deadline discipline.
• Clear, professional communication with clients and internal team members.
• Strong comfort with modern practice-management systems, Microsoft 365, Outlook, Teams, Excel, and ongoing technology adoption.
• Collaborative, proactive, accountable, high-energy, growth-oriented, and low-friction approach.

Why Join SLG

Sophisticated Litigation Work
Strategy-driven insurance defence files involving trial, arbitration, and appellate advocacy. Real File Ownership
A role for a lawyer who can think critically, manage files, and contribute meaningfully in a collaborative litigation model. Strong Partner Mentorship
File-based supervision by experienced partners and monthly partner-led skills-development sessions. Flexible Hybrid Model
A hybrid model after onboarding, with office attendance guided by firm needs, client needs, mentoring opportunities, performance, and personal preference. Transparent Performance Structure
Approximately $150,000 salary, 1,700-hour annual billable target, and a non-discretionary bonus based on billings above 2.4x salary. No Origination Requirement
There is no requirement to originate new business, while lawyers are encouraged to develop profile through client training, articles, and select firm or industry events. Collaborative Culture
A low-hierarchy, high-accountability environment grounded in mentorship, innovation, and excellence in advocacy. Professional Development
CPD funding, association membership funding, ongoing skills-development opportunities, and a commitment to continuous growth.

• Salary: approximately $150,000 per year.
• Non-discretionary bonus: 30–50% of all billings above 2.4x salary.
• Discretionary bonus: up to $5,000 for value-add administrative and firm contributions.
• Annual billable target: 1,700 hours.
• Excellent group benefits and wellness account.
• CPD funding and professional association membership funding.

Work Model and Culture

During onboarding, the first three months are fully in-office to support integration, relationship-building, training, and exposure to partners and clients. After onboarding, the role moves to a hybrid model, with most lawyers working remotely and attending the office approximately 2–8 days per month depending on firm/client needs and personal preference, subject to firm discretion based on performance and client needs.

Once per month, the firm gathers in person for “Wonderful Wednesday,” focused on training, collaboration, and firm development. Lawyers also gather monthly for a partner-led skills-building session followed by informal social time.

Schultz Law Group welcomes applications from qualified candidates and is committed to a respectful, inclusive, and accessible recruitment process. Accommodation is available on request for candidates participating in the recruitment process.

Website: www.schultzlawgroup.ca