Legal Counsel, Underwriting - Commercial

Hybrid (1-2 days per week in-office)

Position Overview:

The Counsel, Underwriting - Commercial will play a key role in reviewing and resolving underwriting matters and making approval decisions, primarily related to commercial real estate transactions, with occasional involvement in residential files.

Key Responsibilities:

- Review and manage title insurance policies for commercial real estate transactions

- Evaluate risk and determine insurability based on established underwriting guidelines

- Respond to internal and external inquiries regarding underwriting issues and provide guidance on Ontario real estate processes and title insurance coverage

- Investigate complex underwriting issues, including title and off-title matters such as Planning Act compliance and estate-related concerns

- Identify and address potential real estate fraud; conduct risk assessments and make insurability determinations

- Draft underwriting clauses, title insurance endorsements, and related documentation

- Review identity verification reports and interpret findings

- Manage a high volume of files under tight deadlines in accordance with defined parameters

- Clearly communicate complex underwriting decisions to clients both verbally and in writing

- Redirect inquiries to appropriate internal teams as needed

- Handle customer service calls through the general underwriting phone queue

- Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

- Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario

- Minimum 3 years of experience in real estate law or a comparable setting

- In-depth knowledge of commercial and residential real estate transactions

- Understanding of title and off-title issues and their resolutions

- Awareness of real estate fraud trends and fraud prevention tools

- Ability to make independent decisions within established guidelines

- Strong multitasking skills and ability to meet multiple deadlines

- Excellent communication, customer service, problem-solving, and organizational skills

- High attention to detail and a collaborative approach

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and general computer literacy