Legal Counsel

About the Insurance Council

The Insurance Council of British Columbia is the regulatory organization that licenses and regulates the activities of over 50,000 life and general insurance agents, general insurance salespersons, insurance adjusters, and restricted travel insurance agents in British Columbia.

The Opportunity

The Legal Counsel is responsible for managing Council’s disciplinary processes, providing legal advice on a variety of organizational matters, and acting as Council’s privacy officer. The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing correspondence and providing advice to senior Insurance Council staff on a variety of organizational matters considering the Financial Institutions Act, the Insurance Council Rules, our Code of Conduct and other relevant policies and legislation. On occasion, this position will also manage files as they progress through the disciplinary process. The Legal Counsel will report to the Insurance Council’s Director, Professional Conduct.

Why Work for the Insurance Council?

Work with a great team of people in a rewarding career that makes a difference. We’re in a downtown location with plenty of amenities nearby. The Insurance Council has a friendly and collaborative environment with a team who’s committed to protecting the public.

• We offer a comprehensive health and dental plan.
• Work-life balance.
• This position is mostly remote work enabled. The incumbent would be required to come into the office as needed.
• Professional development.
• Equitable employment opportunities.

Who We are Looking For

The ideal candidate will have a background in a regulatory setting or in the insurance or financial services industry. The incumbent must have superb report writing skills, an excellent eye for research and the ability to communicate well with others.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage Council’s disciplinary processes including overseeing the movement of cases through disciplinary or licensing suitability processes.

• Review and advise on investigations and licensee suitability matters in accordance with legislation and Council policies.
• Act as staff support to Council’s Review Committees by coordinating cases to be presented, providing advice to the committees, writing Intended Decisions, and preparing committee reports for Council.

• Assist with preparation of production orders and subpoenas.

• Draft correspondence to complainants, applicants, and licensees.

• Coordinate hearings including organizing hearing committees, overseeing evidence disclosure, engaging and managing external legal counsel for prosecution and hearing panel counsel roles.

• Draft and circulate intended decisions and orders.

• Manage Council’s participation in Financial Services Tribunal appeals and judicial reviews.

• Liaise on complaints and investigations with other regulatory agencies.

• Act as Council’s Privacy Officer by ensuring Council is meeting its responsibilities under applicable privacy legislation and in response to Freedom of Information requests.

• Provide advice to Council on the Financial Institutions Act, Council Rules, and other relevant legislation.
• Conduct legal research and gather information and data from various sources including other regulatory bodies.

Qualifications

• Law degree and practicing member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience with regulatory matters in the capacity of a case manager or lawyer within a regulatory body, or within a law firm.
• Experience with insurance and/or financial services is an asset, but not required.
• Strong legal skills and an established sense of integrity.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Able to organize large volumes of work and handle competing priorities.
• Excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office desktop applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Salary Range: $147,514 - $212,051 with a midpoint of $184,392 per annum.
Upon hire, new employees will be placed in a starting salary between the minimum and P50 (midpoint) of the salary range. The P50 of the range represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications, and experience for the position.