Sr Counsel, Claims Litigation

Definity Financial Corporation; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 115,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Senior Claims Counsel, where your extensive experience in civil and insurance litigation will be invaluable. In this dynamic role, you'll handle complex claims, mentor junior staff, and provide strategic legal advice to the Claims department. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage in a varied litigation practice, from property damage to bodily injury claims, while also contributing to the development of the team. If you are passionate about legal excellence and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in civil litigation, especially in insurance.
• Trial experience required, preferably before a jury.

Responsibilities

• Act as senior legal counsel in complex claims litigation.
• Mentor junior counsel and provide litigation strategy advice.

Skills

Civil litigation

Insurance litigation

Trial experience

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Team player

Ability to handle pressure

Ethics and integrity

Education

Law Degree (LLB or Juris Doctor)

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Caselines

Practice management systems

Job description

Senior Claims Counsel

What can you expect in this role?

• Act as senior legal counsel in claims litigation matters for mid to high complexity files, which includes attending trials and appeals, contested motions, cross-examinations, examinations for discovery and mediations, preparing court documents, reviewing and analyzing evidence, interviewing witnesses, conducting out-of-court examinations/questionings, acting in mediations or other ADR, engaging and instructing medical, financial and technical experts, surveillance and other third parties supporting litigation, client reporting and providing legal opinions and devising recommended strategies, negotiating settlements and drafting settlement documents, and working with and delegating to support staff.
• Opportunity for a varied litigation practice, including carriage of property damage, construction, bodily injury and subrogated claims, from inception through to trial.
• Play an advisory role to Definity’s Claims department in relation to litigation strategy and claims litigation.
• Travel as needed for claims litigation files.
• Provide mentorship, training and support to junior and intermediate claims counsel as well as our claims partners on all aspects of file handling and strategy, advanced legal practices, and courtroom strategy.
• Provide mentorship to law clerks and assistants as necessary.
• Provide high-level advice to Claims department on litigation handling, strategy, and risk management; providing educational seminars to Claims staff on litigation topics that support the development of Claims staff who are responsible for claims that involve litigation or are expected to lead to litigation.

What do you bring to the role?

• At least 10 years of post-call experience working in civil litigation, specifically insurance litigation with a law firm or in-house legal provider.
• Trial experience is required, with preference given to experience before a jury.
• Experience handling property damage, construction, and/or subrogated claims is required.
• Experience handling complex claims, contested motions and/or appeals.
• Experience with complex matters while handling a full caseload with primary carriage.
• High degree of personal ethics, integrity, and responsibility with an ability to deal with sensitive issues and safeguard confidential information.
• Assertiveness in practice, but reasonable and forthright.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills across a range of contexts.
• Excellent negotiation and facilitation skills with a proven capacity for effective presentation tools/methods.
• Sound judgement, with the ability to critically analyze situations, problem-solve and deal with ambiguity and have the ability to provide meaningful advice and recommendations.
• Team player, adaptable to a changing environment.
• Ability to perform under pressure, meet deadlines and handle conflicting priorities.
• Comfortable with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Caselines and practice management systems.
• Law Degree from an accredited law school (LLB or Juris Doctor).
• Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario to practice law as a lawyer in Ontario.
• This role requires clearance of a background check and disciplinary action check.

High degree of proficiency with English required to service customers, both internal to the company and external, across Canada.

Salary range is $115,200 - $213,800.