AVP & Senior Counsel

The Opportunity:

We are seeking two experienced litigation lawyers to join the Canadian Litigation team as AVP & Senior Counsel to lead a highly accomplished team of lawyers in the Common Law Provinces. The individuals will be key members and leaders of the Canadian Litigation team reporting to the VP & Chief Counsel Litigation Canada. You will support our Canadian business units by providing practical and timely legal representation and advice in legal disputes and on strategic and tactical legal and regulatory issues. The individuals will interact with senior legal management leaders of related functional groups within Canada Segment and will participate in industry conferences presentations committees and working groups.

Primary Responsibilities:

You will provide legal support for the Litigation team in Canada including

• Contributing as a member of the Canada Law team by bringing your experience creative legal skills and collaborative work ethic to deliver practical solutions to our businesses
• Collaborating with business partners to support our business strategy and objectives
• Providing legal opinions advice and recommendations to various business units on any legal matter which affects or involves the Company
• Leading a highly accomplished team of lawyers in the Common Law Provinces
• Coaching mentoring and developing team members for in-role career development and succession planning
• Recruiting performance evaluation goal setting and compensation activities for lawyers on your team
• Managing a litigation caseload including complex/high-risk litigation
• Independently manage all aspects of litigation with confidence including discoveries mediations motions and trials and to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• When necessary overseeing the retaining instructing and managing external counsel retained to handle litigation matters on behalf of the Company
• Coordinating leadership objectives and team management with the Litigation Leadership Team to ensure one team approach across various geographic locations
• Supporting the Chief Counsel Litigation Canada in the provision of legal services and team development
• As required work closely with colleagues across the broader Manulife legal and compliance team

Required Qualifications:

• Law degree and admission to a provincial Bar required along with at least 10 years of proven litigation experience
• Proven ability to work independently efficiently collaboratively and strategically under substantial time pressure
• Ability to ask the right questions to quickly assess internal client and customer needs and provide timely support
• Analytical organizational and priority management skills including the ability to handle multiple files simultaneously
• Proven negotiation and advocacy skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels of the organization including senior management
• Enthusiastic about using technology and proficiency at litigating in a virtual environment
• Demonstration of outstanding client service as well as the practical application of analytical skills and exercise of good judgment
• Proven track record of collaborating and adapting to constantly evolving demands and expectations
• Proven leadership in building and maintaining strong credible working relationships with clients management and colleagues

When you join our team:

• Well empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• Well recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team well support you in shaping the future you want to see.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us visit is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment retention advancement and compensation and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race ancestry place of origin colour ethnic origin citizenship religion or religious beliefs creed sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions) sexual orientation genetic characteristics veteran status gender identity gender expression age marital status family status disability or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process contact .

Referenced Salary Location

Salary range is expected to be between

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location please contact for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge skills qualifications experience and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits including health dental mental health vision short- and long-term disability life and AD&D insurance coverage adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays vacation personal and sick days and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S. please contact for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.