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 General Counsel’s department (GCD) provides expert, client-centred, legal, strategic and risk management advice to the Commission. GCD provides legal advice in a wide range of areas including statutory interpretation, administrative law, securities regulation, civil and transactional litigation, corporate/commercial law, information technology/intellectual property law, procurement law, access-to-information and privacy law. The GCD is also responsible for the enterprise-wide compliance framework and providing legal support on organizational compliance and agency accountability matters.
We are looking for a Legal Counsel to join the team who will provide practical and client-focused in-house legal advice on day-to-day matters related to policy development, legislative reform, corporate compliance, procurement and contracting and conflict of interest matters.

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Regulatory Policy and Corporate, your work will have an impact on all aspects of the OSC’s operations with a strong focus on regulatory and corporate matters.
 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Providing legal and strategic advice to the Commission and staff on complex policy, regulatory and legislative issues in the context of the regulation of the capital markets. 
• Providing in-house legal and risk management advice and support including with respect to procurement and contract matters, freedom of information requests and privacy-related concerns.
• Advising on the discharge of the Commission’s statutory mandate consistent with administrative law principles.
• Rendering legal opinions on challenging matters.
• Leading or participating in policy initiatives and other special projects to address Commission priorities.
• Supporting the development of legislative amendment proposals and rule-making proposals, including legislative drafting to support regulatory reform initiatives.

Qualifications for Success:

• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• A minimum of 5 years experience in securities law and regulation and corporate/commercial law and, or equivalent knowledge, skills and judgment.
• A strong understanding of the capital markets, the securities industry, and securities legislation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and develop sound and practical recommendations.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely.
• Excellent analytical, research, and legal drafting skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, develop credibility, and provide practical and constructive advice.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize demands and allocate time appropriately.
• Ability to coordinate various aspects of projects and policies with appropriate staff within the organization.
• Experience drafting legislation, rules or other regulatory instruments is an asset.
• Experience working on commercial transactions, including securities-related transactions.

This opportunity is considered to be a business-critical role supporting the General Counsel’s Department.

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.