Legal Counsel II

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, and enforcement activities. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.

We offer a diverse, fair, and flexible work environment and take pride in our challenging and rewarding work.

The Registration, Inspections, and Examinations Division oversees the dealers, advisers and investment fund managers that the public relies upon when investing in securities. Using a risk-based approach, RIE focuses on initial and ongoing registration and compliance reviews of registrants. RIE also develops significant policy/legislative initiatives affecting registered firms and individuals, at both the Ontario and national levels.  As well, the RIE Division administers the Opportunity to be Heard process and other administrative processes that deal with registrant misconduct as part of the compliance – enforcement continuum. The RIE Division consists of integrated, multi-disciplinary teams including professional staff (chartered accountants and lawyers), registration officers (corporate and individual), and support staff.

The Registration, Inspections, and Examinations (RIE) Division is currently hiring for a Legal Counsel II to join their team!

Key Responsibilities:

The Legal Counsel II will work independently and as part of the Registrant Conduct Team.  The key duties and responsibilities of this role are to:

• perform in-depth reviews  (through activities such as document requests and witness interviews) of registrant conduct matters arising out of examinations, referrals, tips or complaints
• review complex or contentious registration applications for registration categories subject to direct OSC oversight
• recommend appropriate regulatory action (such as terms and conditions of registration or the refusal or suspension of registration) to address the findings of those reviews, and
• where necessary, represent Staff in written or oral administrative proceedings. 

As a resource, you will provide advice to other branches of the Commission for issues relating to registrant conduct.

You Have:

As the ideal candidate for this role you have a minimum of 5 years’ litigation experience and you are a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.  You have had significant experience practicing in proceedings before regulatory tribunals or courts.  The successful candidate will have an understanding of Ontario securities law (in particular as it relates to registration and registrant obligations), and will possess strong analytical, interviewing, advocacy (written and oral), and negotiation skills.   

To be successful in this role, you have a high level of enthusiasm for the OSC’s mandate, and you are an excellent communicator who can

• convey information clearly and persuasively,
• break down complex problems
• research and seek out new information
• analyze and anticipate obstacles and potential risks
• develop appropriate recommendations, and
• strategically assess the impact of various regulatory actions on stakeholders.

In your practice, you are able to adapt and work effectively in a variety of situations and with various individuals and/or groups; and have the ability to prioritize tasks and duties, meet deadlines, and change or substitute tasks to meet fluctuating demands.

This opportunity is considered to be a business-critical role supporting the Registration, Inspections, and Examinations Division.

Grow your career and make a difference working at the OSC.

* OSC Employees: please apply in Workday using the Browse Jobs feature within your Jobs Hub *

We thank all applicants for their interest in the Ontario Securities Commission. We will contact those selected for an interview.

The OSC is committed to diversity and providing an inclusive workplace and providing accommodation in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code. It is our priority to ensure employment opportunities are visible and barrier-free to all under-represented groups including but not limited to, Indigenous, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, women and people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, to achieve an employee demographic profile reflective of the demographic profile of Ontarians.

The OSC is a proud partner with the following organizations: Ascend Canada, BlackNorth Initiative, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, and Pride at Work Canada

If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting our confidential inbox [email protected].  
 

Visit Accessibility at the OSC to review the OSC’s policies on accessibility and accommodation in the workplace.