Howard Lightle arrived at Orendorff & Associates in Sudbury in mid-September this year, armed with 27 years of experience as a defence lawyer representing the interests of insurance companies and its insureds.
He has considerable experience before Judges and juries in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, as well as arguing appeals before the Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal. Mr. Lightle also served on the Board of Directors for Canadian Defence Lawyers for 13 years, a group that primarily represents the insurance industry.
Howard Lightle, who is intimately familiar with the insurance industry and the claims and litigation process can offer a perspective that many other lawyers may not. Lightle says, “I believe I bring a unique perspective to a personal injury practice representing plaintiffs, because I have a deeper understanding of how insurance companies operate than many.”
Lightle is well positioned to act on behalf of an insured person in various disputes, not only personal injury, but additionally fire or property damage disputes, no-fault and disability benefits denials, or insurance coverage claims.
Searched for a job in Sudbury
When Mr. Lightle graduated from Queen’s University Law School in 1995, he knew he did not want to complete his articling student placement in Toronto and was unsure if he wished to return to the East Coast to practice. The corporate rat race of big city life did not appeal to him, and he hoped to find something that mirrored the lifestyle he grew up in.
Lightle’s father had coached hockey and on occasion would bring his team to a high school tournament in the Sudbury area. Lightle says, “My father always liked Sudbury. He was from the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia and had a great love for sports, railroad, and the outdoors. He thought if I wanted to live in a moderate sized city, I might like Sudbury as it had a feel reminiscent of the East Coast in many respects.”
Mr. Lightle followed up on his father’s suggestion and found himself interviewing for a position at the largest law firm in Sudbury shortly thereafter. He arrived in Sudbury for the first time for that interview and has been here since, being offered a job at that interview so many years back. He was immersed in representing the interests of insurance companies almost exclusively from the beginning of his legal career. Five years later he became a partner.
Sudbury’s personal injury bar is relatively small and lawyers in this practice area know each other fairly well. Mr. Lightle and Thomas Orendorff had many files opposite one another over the years. They would occasionally and casually discuss the prospects of Lightle changing sides of the table and joining Mr. Orendorff’s firm, Orendorff & Associates. Those casual discussions became more serious as Mr. Lightle considered where his practice defending insurers’ interest would see him in the years ahead. With dispatch it was decided by both that the time was ripe to have Mr. Lightle join the team at Orendorff & Associates, and that he did in September 2022.
Familiar insurance industry tactics
Mr. Lightle says, “Trials are a huge undertaking and having litigation experience and an extensive insurance background, I believe I could positively complement Orendorff & Associates and it’s clientele.” Over the years Mr. Lightle has handled thousands of files. He says, “I was heavily involved in the internal workings of how insurers settle matters, the tactics they may take, and identifying whether files will go to trial or be settled.”
He has a reputation as a reasonable and level-headed professional. “Insurers trusted me with their files, and I think they will offer me a measure of respect as someone that they know to be fair, not extreme.”
He can offer clients at Orendorff & Associates extraordinary insight into the insurance industry. Lightle says, “For a client who is worried about what to expect from an insurer, I can give them a measure of assurance and enlightenment. Plaintiffs’ counsel deal with insurers, but they may not know what happens behind the scenes as well as defence counsel who are representing an insurer on a file.”
He arrived in Sudbury and never looked back
Howard Lightle grew up on the east coast, graduating from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax with a BA with distinction in philosophy and a BSc in biology. While completing his undergraduate degrees he volunteered at the Camp Hill Medical Centre, where he interacted with veterans.
Living on Lake Nepahwin at the Four Corners in Sudbury, Lightle enjoys a cottage-like lifestyle year-round. He appreciates what the area has to offer outdoor enthusiasts, including the wildlife that show up near his house. Lightle says, “It’s an interesting place to live, and I only have a seven-minute drive to work, instead of an hour and seven minutes. It’s a lifestyle that suits me. I arrived in Sudbury as an articling student and once here I never thought about leaving.”
While he appreciates Sudbury’s expanding and diverse dining options, you can often find Lightle cooking outside because he’s convinced that almost anything can be barbecued. He’s also an avid baseball and music fan.
Lightle has fond memories of his childhood down east. He graduated from high school in New Brunswick and looks forward to visits to the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island.
While based in Sudbury he and his spouse, Celeste, who is also a lawyer based in Timmins, frequently travel the 144 Corridor from Sudbury to Timmins. Self-effacingly, Mr. Lightle acknowledged that he received an OPP Commissioner’s Citation for running to the site of a head-on collision that occurred in front of him, pulling out the driver of a vehicle engulfed in flames and dousing him with snow.
Mr.Lightle is extremely proud of his daughter Madeline who works to save the lives of others as an air ambulance pilot.
Mr. Lightle believes he brings a unique perspective to Orendorff & Associates that may assist in a timely and fair resolution of a case, or help an injured person navigate through his or her case at trial.
To contact Howard Lightle, Email: [email protected] or call (705) 673-1200 and speak to any of the capable lawyers and staff for assistance.
