Senior Legal Counsel

As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide senior-level in-house litigation services for complex property and casualty insurance matters, with a focus on bodily injury, commercial liability and/or subrogation claims. This role is intended for an experienced trial lawyer who can assume carriage of complex files, develop and execute litigation strategy, and independently conduct trials, arbitrations, motions, discoveries, mediations and pre-trials. You will play a key role in protecting the organization’s legal and business interests by delivering practical, strategic and cost-effective litigation advice. You will assess liability, damages, coverage and litigation risk, and make recommendations that support sound claim resolution and strong file outcomes. In addition to carrying your own complex litigation portfolio, you will serve as a senior resource, mentor and coach to junior and intermediate counsel. A significant part of the role involves helping other lawyers prepare for trial, strengthen their advocacy skills, develop litigation strategy, and build confidence in handling contested matters. The role also requires adaptability to the evolving use of technology in litigation and trial advocacy, including virtual and hybrid proceedings, electronic evidence, digital presentation tools, AI-enabled legal workflows and other emerging tools that are changing how matters are prepared, argued and resolved. The successful candidate will bring substantial insurance defence experience, strong judgment, sound advocacy skills and the ability to influence outcomes on high-value or strategically important matters. More specifically, you will be required to:

• Manage complex insurance defence litigation files, including bodily injury, commercial liability, and subrogation matters
• Develop and lead litigation strategy from initial assessment through discovery, mediation, arbitration, trial, and resolution
• Represent clients in trials, arbitrations, mediations, motions, applications, discoveries, and pre-trials.
• Prepare and review pleadings, motion materials, mediation briefs, trial records, and other advocacy documents
• Provide strategic legal advice and opinions on liability, damages, coverage, causation, litigation risk, and settlement opportunities
• Leverage litigation technology and effectively manage electronic evidence, digital hearing materials, and virtual or hybrid proceedings
• Support, mentor, and train junior counsel while providing guidance on litigation strategy, advocacy, trial preparation, and best practices
• Contribute to team excellence through knowledge sharing, legal education, precedent development, and assistance with high-priority matters requiring senior trial expertise. 

What we offer*

• Competitive salary and annual bonus
• 4 weeks of flexible vacation starting in the first year
• Defined benefit pension plan that provides predictable, stable income throughout retirement
• Group insurance including telemedicine
• Reimbursement of health and wellness expenses and telework equipment

* Benefits apply based on eligibility criteria.

What you bring to the table

• Bachelor's degree in Juris Doctor, Laws or in a related field
• A minimum of nine years of relevant experience
• Please note that other combinations of qualifications and relevant experience may be considered
• Trial experience, including the ability to independently conduct trials or arbitrations 
• Insurance defence experience in bodily injury, commercial liability and/or subrogation matters 
• Experience managing complex litigation files from intake through resolution or trial 
• Experience in completing trials and complex hearings 
• Experience coaching, mentoring or supervising junior and intermediate lawyers 
• Experience developing or delivering legal training, trial preparation support or litigation best practices 
• Experience across multiple lines of insurance business 
• Member in good standing with the law society of Ontario 
• Advanced oral and written advocacy skills, including courtroom advocacy, negotiation and persuasive written analysis
• Advanced knowledge of civil litigation procedure, trial practice, evidence and insurance defence strategy 
• Advanced knowledge of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Insurance Act and related insurance litigation principles 
• Advanced knowledge of accident benefits, bodily injury, commercial liability, property loss and/or subrogation litigation 

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

At Desjardins, we believe in equity, diversity and inclusion. We're committed to welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals, learning from their differences, embracing their uniqueness, and providing a positive workplace for all. At Desjardins, we have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We believe our teams should reflect the diversity of the members, clients and communities we serve.

If there's something we can do to help make the recruitment process or the job you're applying for more accessible, let us know. We can provide accommodations at any stage in the recruitment process. Just ask!

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