Counsel, Compensation Fund, Regulatory Services, Professional Regulation - 1 year and 6 months contract (Remote, Toronto)

OVERVIEW

We have two contracts available, one for 1 year and another for 6 months. Please indicate your interest in one or two positions in your cover letter.

JOB PURPOSE :

Counsel, Compensation Fund reviews and conducts legal analysis of claims for compensation resulting from Licensee dishonesty and, where appropriate, makes recommendations for grants in accordance with the Law Society Act and Guidelines established by Convocation.

Counsel will also conduct policy, economic and internal process analysis and make recommendations to the Subcommittee. Counsel may periodically attend at Court and regulatory hearings, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED :

• A minimum level of education required LLB or equivalent education and training to fulfill the core requirements of this position.
• Must be a lawyer licensee in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• A minimum of 7 years of prior experience in one or more pertinent areas of law, such as administrative law, litigation, estates, real estate, or a combination thereof
• Thorough understanding of the Law Society’s mandate, services, legislation and policies, particularly with respect to the role of the Law Society in protecting the public
• Knowledge of the Compensation Fund Guidelines, precedents, and procedural requirements
• Experience in one of more of the following specific areas of law : real estate, syndicated mortgages, wills / estates, family law, criminal law or civil litigation and / or administrative law, gained through private practice, in a regulatory environment, or combination thereof
• Knowledge of real estate transactions, mortgages and related legal accounting procedures
• Knowledge and application of a variety of negotiation and dispute resolution techniques
• Litigation skills for responding to inquiries and claims.
• Knowledge of Law Society accounting and bookkeeping requirements.
• Knowledge of current trends and developments in the legal profession and their practical applications
• Ability to clearly identify relevant issues and conduct thorough, efficient and focused investigation of claims
• Ability to analyze a large volume of complex claims and apply sound judgment in determining whether a claim meets the eligibility requirements for a grant and to assess the proper quantum of an award
• Superior written communications skills, including ability to prepare comprehensive, clear, concise, organized and timely claims-related correspondence and recommendation memoranda,
• Ability to reason through complex spoken and written information including the analysis of Licensee books and records
• Expressive, clear, concise and persuasive in both spoken and written language for individual and / or group situations including facilitating resolution, disposition of claims and managing expectations of claimants.
• Computer literacy, including familiarity with word processing, the AS400 and Case Management software
• Broad understanding of the application of technology in a legal environment
• By submitting your application for employment, you agree to a clearance check of your regulatory history with the Law Society, and to the use of this information in assessing suitability for employment at the Law Society.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Client / Customer Service Delivery

• Critically assesses and conducts legal analysis of allegations of financial loss due to Licensee dishonesty including misappropriation, fraud, and theft.
• Gathers and evaluates relevant evidence from claimants, Licensees, witnesses, third parties and other Law Society departments (including Intake & Resolution, Investigation Services, Litigation Services, Regulatory Compliance and Trustee Services), seeks Licensee representations and assists in facilitating the disposition of claims in accordance with the Law Society Act and Guidelines established by Convocation.
• Communicates with Licensees, claimants and relevant parties regarding the mandate of the Compensation Fund, and the status and disposition of claims.
• Engages in negotiations and other measures to achieve a fair and justifiable resolution in each case.
• Prepares memoranda to Senior Management and the Compensation Fund Subcommittee recommending the payment of grants from the Fund and responds to any inquiries related to recommendations.
• Facilitates and supports inquiries to assist in the determination of claims where informal resolution is unsuccessful and responds to claimants and prepares files accordingly when the disposition of a claim is disputed.

Financial Responsibility

• Uses analytical skills, legal knowledge and sound judgment to help ensure that grant recommendations, totaling millions of dollars annually, are made in accordance with Convocation policy, applicable jurisprudence, past practice, and the optimum long-term viability of the Fund.
• Prepares grant recommendations up to the maximum permitted by Convocation based on an analysis of the best evidence available, in a timely, efficient and fair manner.
• Forecasts, recommends and revises as necessary appropriate reserves for all claims.

Policy Development

• Undertakes policy analysis and the implementation of policy initiatives.
• Identifies emerging issues, conducts research and recommends appropriate policy changes to the Fund Guidelines and the administration of the Fund, and provides advice, assistance and recommendations to the Manager, Compensation Fund, Director, Regulatory Services, the Compensation Fund Subcommittee, and the Executive Director, Professional Regulation, with respect to policy issues that affect the Fund.

Team Membership

• Collaborates with the Manager and colleagues in the Professional Regulation Division to ensure appropriate integration and coordination of all regulatory activities.
• Participates in the development of standardized practices, guidelines and procedures for the appropriate disposition of claims to the Compensation Fund to improve case management performance and to promote knowledge sharing in the furtherance of the Fund’s mandate, the Division’s mandate and the Law Society’s mandate.
• Develops team expertise, assisting the team to problem-solve to meet goals as requested by the Manager, represents the team within and outside the Professional Regulation Division.

WORKING ARRANGEMENT

The Law Society has introduced a Distributed Workforce Model to leverage flexibility and agility, and to maximize employee productivity and engagement.

Work arrangements will be determined by role and departmental requirements. The working arrangement for this position has been classified as primarily remote, with a requirement to attend the office on an occasional basis.

The specific application of this will be communicated to applicants contacted during the recruitment process.

OUR COMMITMENT

The Law Society of Ontario is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from persons representing the diversity of our community.

We are committed to creating an accessible, barrier-free and inclusive workplace and are committed to continuing compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Please make any requirement you may have for accommodation during the recruitment process known when contacted.

If you are unable to