Legal Counsel

Location: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver

Employment Type: Regular

Working Arrangement: Full-time, Hybrid

About Us

As a self-regulatory organization, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is committed to setting high regulatory standards for the investment industry, safeguarding investors, and supporting the integrity of Canada’s capital markets. Join a growing team and contribute to the dynamic and complex world of Canadian capital markets.

Position Title

Legal Counsel

Department: General Counsel’s Office

Location: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver

Employment Type: Regular

Working Arrangement: Full-time, Hybrid

About This Opportunity

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Litigation, Legal Counsel is part of the Hearings Office, within the General Counsel’s Office, and is responsible for providing support and independent legal advice to the CIRO Hearing Committees on matters related to hearing processes, procedural fairness, and other issues arising during hearing proceedings. Legal Counsel is deeply committed to impartiality, integrity, and excellence in administrative justice, ensuring that proceedings are conducted in a manner that is fair, transparent, and consistent with applicable laws and principles of natural justice. Legal Counsel maintains strict independence from CIRO’s investigative and enforcement functions and upholds the Hearing Committees’ core values of fairness, impartiality, excellence, and timeliness. Legal Counsel also supports and provides clear, practical legal guidance to non-legal decision-makers and participates in other functions of the General Counsel’s Office.

Core Responsibilities

• Participate in and support all aspects of the hearing process
• Provide assistance and independent legal advice to hearing panels and internal decision-makers, including reviewing submissions, conducting legal research, preparing legal memoranda, providing drafting assistance and legal advice as required by the hearing panels and other decision-makers
• Make recommendations on hearing and regulatory decision‑making processes
• Provide legal guidance on organizational priorities and cross‑functional projects as part of the General Counsel’s Office as required

What You Bring

Must‑have

• Law Degree (LL.L., LL.B. or J.D.)
• Member, in good standing, with a Canadian law society
• Minimum of 5 years of litigation or equivalent legal experience in a regulatory environment and/or private practice
• Previous experience with and knowledge of best practices and innovative approaches in administrative tribunals
• In‑depth knowledge of administrative law and rules of evidence, CIRO rules of procedure and securities laws
• Neutrality and independence in all aspects of the hearing process
• Excellent verbal and written communication, legal research and drafting skills
• Knowledge of the investment and/or mutual fund industry and regulations
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships
• Ability to thoroughly evaluate alternatives, employ a proactive approach, and take initiative to resolve issues
• Ability to think and act independently, multi‑task and prioritize competing matters
• Attention to detail and ability to quickly grasp complex legal issues

Nice to have

• Combined civil and common law degrees
• Bilingual (French and English)

What we offer

• Competitive total rewards program including performance‑based bonus *
• Hybrid work environment
• Employer paid Health Benefits and Spending Account that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs as of day one*
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment*
• Paid flex days and wellness days*
• Maternity and Parental Leave top up *
• Paid continuous learning and continuing development including designations*
• *Asterisked offerings are not applicable to contracts

Why the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO)

Life at CIRO is purpose and performance‑driven. We foster an inclusive culture where teamwork, a forward‑thinking attitude, and integrity are at the core of everything we do. This creates an environment where employees thrive, grow, and are empowered to learn and contribute their best.

Joining CIRO means becoming part of a dynamic and transparent organization that values accountability and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of regulatory oversight in the financial industry.

Our Commitment

CIRO is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). CIRO will provide accommodation to job applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Should you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

CIRO is a pan‑Canadian organization that oversees all investment dealers and trading activity in marketplaces across Canada. This position requires the ability to communicate with employees in CIRO regional offices and other CIRO stakeholders across Canada. Accordingly, proficiency in both official languages of Canada (French and English) is needed. Due to the frequent interactions with internal and external English‑speaking members, clients, representatives, firms, Canadian provincial and territorial securities regulators, and employees situated outside of Quebec, the position requires a fully bilingual candidate.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment and selection process across Canada. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and are dedicated to providing accommodations upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the recruitment process, in accordance with applicable human rights and accessibility legislation.

Our Recruitment Process

• This posting reflects an active vacancy on our team
• We use automated (AI) tools to assist with candidate sourcing and communications. Applications are reviewed by our hiring team and hiring decisions are made by people.
• This role has a hiring range of $105,000 - $120,000 with the placement and offered salary being based on knowledge, skills, education/training and experience, as well as external market conditions and internal equity.

While we appreciate receiving applications, only those applicants who closely meet the position requirements will be contacted. #hiring

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