Litigation Counsel I

at  Ontario Securities Commission

Business Unit
Regular, Full time
Closing Date: September 6, 2024
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 Enforcement Division at the OSC supports the organization’s mandate by delivering fair, vigorous and timely enforcement. Enforcement teams investigate and litigate breaches of securities laws in Ontario. Team members work closely with other securities regulators, self-regulatory organizations and law-enforcement agencies to enhance initiatives to fight misconduct. A strong enforcement presence assists in protecting investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices and fostering fair and efficient markets.
About Us
The Regulatory Enforcement Action Team within the Enforcement Division is hiring for a Litigation Counsel I to support investigations and litigate breaches of Ontario securities law. As Litigation Counsel I you will work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment on a multi-disciplinary team. You will support investigations by conducting legal research, examining files for potential breaches of Ontario securities law, identifying important legal issues and assisting in the formulation of a strategy for successful investigations. You will analyze and evaluate evidence to determine whether violations have occurred and exercise professional judgment in making recommendations for appropriate action. You will prosecute Securities Act violations before the Commission and Commercial List.

What’s in it for you?

• Gain valuable advocacy experience and mentoring opportunities.
• Be an integral part of a leading-edge team leveraging an innovative mix of traditional investigative techniques, data analytics, and open-source intelligence analysis to investigate and prosecute complex cases of Securities Act violations.
• Work in a collaborative, progressive, and professionally diverse team.
• Make a difference and have a meaningful impact on investors and participants in Ontario’s capital markets.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct, review and analyze legal research to support investigations.
• Examine files for potential breaches of Ontario securities law by identifying important legal issues.
• Draft allegations and liaise with defense counsel and other stakeholders in your day-to-day duties.
• Provide litigation advice and support for investigations into possible breaches of the Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act and determine whether violations have occurred; recommend appropriate action if any.
• Negotiate settlements.
• Advise on policy matters affecting the Commission’s mandate to enforce Ontario securities law.
• Prepare and conduct enforcement proceedings before the Ontario Securities Commission and Commercial List.
• Provide updates, analysis, strategy, and recommendations to senior colleagues and/or your manager on issues and ongoing file matters.
• Work closely with senior litigation counsel in complex hearings/trials.

Qualifications:

We are looking for someone who is committed to working to protect investors and foster confidence in our capital markets. Preferably candidates should have 1 to 3 years of litigation experience for this role and be or are able to become a lawyer licensee of the Law Society of Ontario in good standing. More particularly, we would prefer to see a candidate with the following qualifications:

• Litigation experience conducting proceedings in securities-related matters, experience before administrative tribunals, familiarity with the Securities Act, the Statutory Powers Procedure Act and the Provincial Offences Act.
• In-depth knowledge of criminal law, administrative law and/or securities law.
• Working knowledge of the securities and commodities markets is an asset.
• Previous experience in the conduct of investigations, including interviewing, drafting information to obtain search warrants and production orders, and utilizing data analytics and OSINT.

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
HRRecruitment@osc.gov.on.ca
.
Visit
Accessibility at the OSC
to review the OSC’s policies on accessibility and accommodation in the workplace

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct, review and analyze legal research to support investigations.
• Examine files for potential breaches of Ontario securities law by identifying important legal issues.
• Draft allegations and liaise with defense counsel and other stakeholders in your day-to-day duties.
• Provide litigation advice and support for investigations into possible breaches of the Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act and determine whether violations have occurred; recommend appropriate action if any.
• Negotiate settlements.
• Advise on policy matters affecting the Commission’s mandate to enforce Ontario securities law.
• Prepare and conduct enforcement proceedings before the Ontario Securities Commission and Commercial List.
• Provide updates, analysis, strategy, and recommendations to senior colleagues and/or your manager on issues and ongoing file matters.
• Work closely with senior litigation counsel in complex hearings/trials

We are looking for someone who is committed to working to protect investors and foster confidence in our capital markets. Preferably candidates should have 1 to 3 years of litigation experience for this role and be or are able to become a lawyer licensee of the Law Society of Ontario in good standing. More particularly, we would prefer to see a candidate with the following qualifications:

• Litigation experience conducting proceedings in securities-related matters, experience before administrative tribunals, familiarity with the Securities Act, the Statutory Powers Procedure Act and the Provincial Offences Act.
• In-depth knowledge of criminal law, administrative law and/or securities law.
• Working knowledge of the securities and commodities markets is an asset.
• Previous experience in the conduct of investigations, including interviewing, drafting information to obtain search warrants and production orders, and utilizing data analytics and OSINT