Senior Legal Counsel - Litigation (ECH-ON)

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

Are you ready to join an award-winning, purpose-driven culture? Welcome to the CAA Club Group of Companies (CCG), where purpose leads to passion!

At CCG, we are committed to delivering an exceptional Associate experience. We offer:
• Work-life harmony with access to an award-winning holistic wellness program,
• Continuous learning through our robust corporate curriculum and education reimbursement program,
• Incredible rewards, travel incentives, and product and service discounts,
• Pay-for-performance and best-in-class recognition programs, and
• Competitive benefits that include a defined contribution plan, personal spending account, and so much more.

Join our growing team where everyone belongs!

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 preparation of all required pleadings, offers to settle, motion materials, mediation briefs and pre-trial briefs
• Attendance at motions, examination for discovery, mediations, pre-trial conferences and trial
• 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 of cases or matters
• Advise, communicate and develop those strategies with Echelon Insurance Claims staff and insured clients, as appropriate
• Provide coverage advice 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
• Conducting continuing education seminars for Claims
• Provide updates on relevant legal developments to all departments of the company
• Work with Director of Litigation in the creation and implementation of workflows, protocols and tools which are focused on enabling efficiency and servicing Claims and Underwriting
• Provide mentorship and guidance to  legal counsel and legal assistants/law clerks

Who You Are

• Completion of law school and admission to the bar and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• 7 or more years experience, either as 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
• Experienced at handling personal injury defense and motor vehicle litigation claims including tort
• Accident benefits experience is an asset but not required
• Experienced at conducting examinations for discovery, participating in mediations, attending pre-trials and negotiating settlements.
• Trial experience would be a strong asset
• Possess strong leadership and mentorship skills

Our Commitment

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with all applicable Provincial Human Rights and Accessibility Legislation. CCG 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.

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