Legal Counsel

About Us

Echelon Insurance provides Personal and Commercial Specialty Insurance solutions to protect Canadian families and businesses across Canada, through our trusted network of Broker partners. Echelon is a member of the CAA Club Group of Companies, and is an equal opportunity employer who offers a professional environment that champions collaboration, trust, and growth to drive success. We cultivate a great working dynamic to help us deliver what is best for our associates, Brokers, and Customers.

Who we are

Get ready to drive your career forward. Life at Echelon is fast paced, performance-driven and rewarding. We value our Associates' career growth and ongoing professional development – and we regularly recognize their achievements and outstanding results.

We are caring. We are leaders. We are innovators. We are collaborative.

We work hard and play hard. We're about doing what's right and feeling good about it.

Position Details

What You Will Do 
To provide litigation and other legal services with respect to assigned property and casualty claims files, including representing Echelon Insurance or its insureds as required.
With limited supervision, handle litigation on behalf of Echelon Insurance and its insureds, in a cost effective manner, from initial opinion through to trial, including
o    Preparation of all required pleadings, offers to settle, motion materials, mediation briefs, pre-trial briefs, License Appeal Tribunal (“LAT”) case conference briefs and LAT written submissions 
o    Attendance at motions, examination for discovery, cross –examinations, mediations, LAT case conferences, pre-trial conferences, arbitrations and trial
o    Reporting to Claims of all material developments and settlement offers. 
•    Use of litigation and Claims protocols to develop and revise appropriate legal strategy for discovery, investigation, handling and trial/hearing of cases or matters 
•    Advise, communicate and develop those strategies with Echelon Insurance claims staff and insured clients, as appropriate

•    Assist and support senior counsel in litigation claims

•    Provide coverage advise to claims and underwriting

•    Advise, communicate and confer with claims staff and insured clients, rendering clear, unambiguous legal advice
•    Provide general advice and assistance to the claims department, including participating in claims committee where required
•    Provide updates on relevant legal developments to all departments of the company
•    Research and preparation of legal opinions as requested

Who You Are 
•    Completion of law school and admission to the bar, and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario 
•    5-9 years experience, preferably a combination of in-house counsel within the P&C insurance industry and within a law firm

•    Strong advocacy skills
•    Excellent negotiation, oral and written communication skills
•    Strong knowledge and understanding of litigation process, the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure and the Ontario automobile insurance regime including third party and first party claims
•    Experienced at handling personal injury defense and motor vehicle litigation claims including tort and accident benefits
•    Experienced at conducting examinations for discovery, participating in mediations, attending License Appeal Tribunal case conferences and negotiating settlements. Trial and arbitration experience would be strong asset
•    Ability to summarize complex legal issues, with recommendations put into simple communication
•    General understanding of Canadian insurance industry and its regulation

What’s In It For You
•    Competitive total compensation and benefits package  
•    Annual shared success program based on performance 
•    Annual merit increases based on performance 
•    Defined Contribution Pension Plan with a matching contribution component 
•    Complimentary CAA Membership 

Our Commitment

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). Echelon Insurance will provide accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. As an organization we are focused on safety, which includes the safety and well-being of our Associates. Therefore, you must remain fully vaccinated as a condition of employment.