Legal Counsel, Private Markets & Innovation

Our organization

The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) is the industry-funded regulator responsible for administering the province's securities laws. It is entrusted with fostering a fair and efficient capital market in Alberta and with protecting investors. As a member of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), the ASC works to improve, coordinate and harmonize the regulation of Canada's capital markets.

The Corporate Finance division is the primary interface for issuers, and their advisors, who participate in Alberta’s capital market. It is responsible for reviewing prospectuses and offering documents, monitoring continuous disclosure by issuers, assessing exempt market financing, analyzing filings in respect to takeover bids and making recommendations on applications for exemptive relief from securities legislation. In addition to these day-to-day services, Corporate Finance is active in the formulation and development of appropriate rules, regulatory instruments, policies, blanket orders and legislative amendments in the regulation of Alberta’s and Canada’s capital markets for issuers, including investment funds and over the-counter derivatives.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, Private Markets & Innovation, this position provides legal, policy, and regulatory support to the Private Markets & Innovation team. The role supports the ASC’s engagement with issuers, founders, entrepreneurs, investors, advisors and other market participants involved in capital raising, with a particular focus on small and scaling businesses, emerging technologies, digital assets, tokenization, and innovation in capital markets.

Key responsibilities include

• Conducting legal and policy research on securities law issues within a defined legislative and regulatory framework with a focus on issues affecting small and scaling businesses, particularly those with emerging technologies and digital assets, and those looking to utilize the tokenization of securities and other real-world assets.
• Engaging with market participants, including early-stage businesses, investors, legal advisors, accountants and other stakeholders, to support their understanding of and compliance with securities law requirement through educational seminars, workshops and outreach sessions.
• Providing legal support to Corporate Finance staff in reviewing filings submitted to the ASC and assist in identifying legal or policy issues that may require further analysis, escalation or stakeholder communication.
• Identifying legal and policy considerations, assess available precedents and guidance, and develop practical analysis and recommendations for review by the Manager, senior legal counsel or other subject matter experts.
• Participating as a member of project teams and committees involved in the development of proposed new policies, rules, guidance and other regulatory initiatives, with a particular focus on issuers and businesses accessing capital through private markets and venture exchanges.
• Assisting in drafting, reviewing and refining policy materials, guidance documents, memoranda, presentations and other resources, with work reviewed for accuracy, completeness, rationale and alignment with ASC objectives.

The ideal candidate will possess

• A law degree and approximately two to four years of relevant legal experience.
• A membership in good standing (or be eligible for membership) with the Law Society of Alberta.
• Experience in securities law or an interest in issues affecting small and scaling companies, private market activity, corporate finance, capital raising, disclosure obligations, regulatory policy or business law.
• Some knowledge of securities legislation, rules, instruments, policies and regulatory guidance, and ability to deepen that knowledge through legal research, practical application and mentorship.
• An understanding of the challenges of small and scaling companies, private market activity, capital raising alternatives and regulatory compliance issues, or ability to develop this understanding quickly.
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain regulatory requirements in a practical and accessible manner.

This position will work out of the ASC office located in Calgary, Alberta.

More information about working at the ASC including our comprehensive Total Rewards package can be found on our website at www.asc.ca.

The ASC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive work environment where every employee feels valued and respected.

#J-18808-Ljbffr