Chief Legal Counsel

The Chief Legal Counsel is the Head of the Legal Division and is responsible for leading the Legislative Agenda of the Commission.

Summary

The Chief Legal Counsel is the Head of the Legal Division and is responsible for leading the Legislative Agenda of the Commission.  The role includes the establishment of the Commission’s policy on legal matters, oversight of the enforcement function, the development of the legislative agenda and the management of the corporate secretariat function.

The incumbent functions as the chief legal advisor to the Board of Commissioners (‘the Board’) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and as the Commission’s Corporate Secretary.

Legislative Agenda/Policy Development

•  Develops and leads the corporate legal strategy to support the operations of the Commission.
• Oversees the provision of legal services and resources to accomplish corporate goals, strategies and priorities.
• Anticipates and identifies legal issues and counsels management in order to develop legal strategies and solutions in situations of financial or other significant risks.
• Oversees the development and implementation of policies and guidelines to support market developments.

 Legal Advisory and Enforcement

• Advises the Board, CEO and senior management on legislative matters necessary to give effect to the Commission’s strategic objectives.
• Advises the CEO on all other pertinent matters to ensure that the Commission conducts its business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Provides legal advice to the Board.
  • Recommends to the CEO, the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all external counsel.
  • Reviews, researches, interprets, and prepares both written and oral opinions on a wide variety of legal issues.
    • Oversees the research of legal issues and recommends revisions as necessary.
    • Provides support for the conduct of Hearings and Settlements.
    • Oversees all enforcement related matters.

 Corporate Secretariat

• Manages the corporate Secretariat function.  
• Participates in Board and Board Committee Meetings.
• Oversees the preparation and timely completion of the minutes of Board and Committee Meetings.
• Reviews Board Papers and other submissions.
• Ensures the establishment and maintenance of a proper record keeping system for Board related matters.
• Advises on corporate governance matters (e.g. Board member conflicts) and matters involving the C Code of Conduct.
• Oversees the administration of Orders.

 Other

• Submits and responds to requests for information from other regulators in Trinidad &Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally, pursuant to Memorandums of Understanding to which the Commission is signatory.
• Manages the performance of the staff of the Legal Division.
• Works directly with the Lead Counsel Advisory and Lead Counsel Enforcement on developing the Work or Programme for the Legal Division.
• Develops and manages annual budgets for the Division in consultation with the Finance Manager.    
• Performs other job-related duties.

Authorities

The Chief Legal Counsel has the authority to:                                                                                                                  

• Advise the Board of Commissioners, CEO and senior Management  on legislative matters.
• Recommend the selection of external counsel.
• Track and review performance measurements and operational results.
• Discharge those human resource management functions required at the leadership level, such as, monitoring and measuring performance and taking corrective action including providing performance feedback, coaching and where necessary, initiating disciplinary action.
• Recommend such legal action that may be necessary to give full effect to the Securities Act.