Counsel Litigation

Permanent Full Time

The Canada Life Assurance Company has an exciting opportunity for Litigation Counsel to join our litigation team, which operates out of our London, Toronto, Winnipeg and Montreal offices. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced junior litigator to practice with one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. You will be a key member of a hard-working legal team that provides practical and timely legal representation and advice to our Canadian Business units on legal disputes and other legal issues.

As part of this dynamic team, you will focus on a wide range of life, health and disability related insurance work, along with a variety of other interesting issues that arise in a large insurance company. In this role you will play a key part in ensuring our customers’ trust is maintained while managing your busy litigation practice.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Carriage of a full caseload of litigation files
- Providing timely advice, opinions, and representation to our business partners on litigation and pre-litigation matters
- Attending on discoveries, mediations, settlement conferences and court appearances
- Drafting of pleadings, briefs, and settlement documentation
- Contributing to strategic projects that support the business we serve and the development of the litigation function, efficiencies and capabilities.
- Participating in team and business partner meetings
- Preparing and delivering presentations to our business partners on key issues in litigation

Qualifications and Competencies
- Law Degree and Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia or Alberta (and willingness to obtain one or more additional provincial calls)
- 3 or more years of relevant experience in civil litigation including insurance litigation with a firm or in-house
- Knowledge of life & health insurance products and/or financial service industry an asset
- Self-motivated and effective working both independently and in a team setting
- Strong ability to self-manage, prioritize, organize work and meet deadlines
- Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to synthesize and present issues with clarity to key stakeholders and/or senior management in all business and functional areas
- Proven analytical and problem-solving skills with experience simplifying and resolving complex problems
- Strong drafting, legal and communication skills, with a practical solution-oriented approach and the ability to use clear, plain language
- Excellent judgment, with the ability to identify key issues and provide an independent view to management in a clear and practical manner
- Thorough understanding and up-to-date knowledge of court procedures
- Superior organizational and time management skills with experience managing competing priorities
- Superior negotiation skills
- Experience practising with virtual litigation tools and techniques
- Advanced ability to effectively use MS Office programs and other role-related technology
- Ability to focus, analyze and produce work that requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail, in a deadline driven environment

We are looking to fill one Counsel, Litigation role on our team.

Be your best at Canada Life

Being a part of Canada Life means you have a voice. This is a place where your unique background, perspectives and talents are valued, and shape our future success.

You can be your best here. You’re part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where your career and well-being are championed. You’ll have the opportunity to excel in your way, finding new and better ways to deliver exceptional customer and advisor experiences.

Together, as part of a great team, you’ll deliver on our shared purpose to improve the well-being of Canadians. It’s our driving force. Become part of a strong and successful company that’s trusted by millions of Canadians to do the right thing.

Canada Life serves the financial security needs of more than 13 million people across Canada, with additional operations in Europe and the United States. As members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies, we’re one of Canada’s leading insurers with interests in life insurance, health insurance, investment and retirement savings. We offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions for individuals, families, businesses and organizations.

We are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live, and to creating an environment where every employee has the opportunity to reach their potential.

Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.