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:
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Review and manage title insurance policies for commercial real estate transactions
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Evaluate risk and determine insurability based on established underwriting guidelines
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Respond to internal and external inquiries regarding underwriting issues and provide guidance on Ontario real estate processes and title insurance coverage
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Investigate complex underwriting issues, including title and off-title matters such as Planning Act compliance and estate-related concerns
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Identify and address potential real estate fraud; conduct risk assessments and make insurability determinations
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Draft underwriting clauses, title insurance endorsements, and related documentation
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Review identity verification reports and interpret findings
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Manage a high volume of files under tight deadlines in accordance with defined parameters
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Clearly communicate complex underwriting decisions to clients both verbally and in writing
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Redirect inquiries to appropriate internal teams as needed
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Handle customer service calls through the general underwriting phone queue
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Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
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Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
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Minimum 3 years of experience in real estate law or a comparable setting
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In-depth knowledge of commercial and residential real estate transactions
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Understanding of title and off-title issues and their resolutions
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Awareness of real estate fraud trends and fraud prevention tools
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Ability to make independent decisions within established guidelines
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Strong multitasking skills and ability to meet multiple deadlines
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Excellent communication, customer service, problem-solving, and organizational skills
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High attention to detail and a collaborative approach
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and general computer literacy
