Senior Legal Counsel (Litigation)

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 *Salary range is not inclusive of total compensation. The expected salary range for this position will be impacted by factors such as the successful candidate’s skills, experience and working location, as well as the specific position’s business line, scope and level. Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are encouraged to apply 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 Internal applicants are asked to formally express their interest by applying online no later than 10 business days of the position being posted We may use AI tools to help us through the recruitment process. 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.

Provide comprehensive litigation and legal services for property and casualty claims, managing cases from initial opinion through to trial. This includes developing legal strategies, providing coverage advice to claims and underwriting, and mentoring junior legal staff.

Requires a law degree and admission to the Law Society of Ontario with at least 7 years of experience in P&C insurance litigation. Candidates must possess strong advocacy skills and deep knowledge of the Ontario automobile insurance regime and civil procedure.

• Holistic Wellness Program • Corporate Curriculum • Education Reimbursement Program • Travel Incentives • Product And Service Discounts • Pay-for-performance Recognition Programs • Defined Contribution Plan • Personal Spending Account

• LeadershipPreferred

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Litigation
• Advocacy
• Negotiation
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Ontario Rules Of Civil Procedure
• Personal Injury Defense
• Motor Vehicle Litigation
• Trial Experience
• Leadership
• Mentorship
• Legal Strategy
• Coverage Advice
• Pleadings Preparation
• Mediation

• Legal
• Management & Leadership
• Finance & Accounting

Minimum education

Professional degree

Minimum experience

7+ years

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week