At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team advising on financial services regulation, fintech, and crypto.
- Company: Leading international law firm with a top-tier reputation in financial services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, discretionary bonuses, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for rapid career growth and exposure to international work.
- Why this job: Gain early responsibility and direct access to partners in an entrepreneurial setting.
- Qualifications: 1-3 PQE, UK qualified, with experience in financial services regulation.
The predicted salary is between 24169 - 24169 £ per year.
We are working exclusively with a leading international law firm to recruit a junior financial services regulatory solicitor into one of the most highly regarded practices of its kind in London. This is a genuinely broad financial services regulatory practice, one of very few at a US firm in London that has built its own independent client base rather than simply servicing US-led matters.
The team advises on everything from regulatory compliance and ESG regulatory work through to complex fintech, payments, crypto, cross-border financing transactions and fund structuring. The London team operates closely with colleagues in the US and Asia, meaning juniors gain early exposure to truly international work without being siloed.
The practice is led by a senior partner who is widely recognised as one of the leading financial services regulatory minds in the market, consistently recommended in Chambers UK and Legal 500 for financial services, fintech and contentious regulatory work, and known for exceptional knowledge of investment services, payment services and broader regulatory issues. The team also includes a highly regarded partner with a strong focus on EU regulatory requirements, cross-border product design and FCA authorisation work. Both are acknowledged as leading individuals in the Chambers FinTech rankings, where the firm holds a Band 1 position.
The practice covers banking regulation, fintech and payments, crypto and digital assets (including the evolving UK cryptoasset regime), ESG regulatory advice, MiFID II, AML/financial sanctions, and regulatory investigations, making it one of the more dynamic and forward-looking regulatory practices available at this level.
Why This Role?
This is an entrepreneurial environment with a lean team. Juniors take on genuine responsibility and direct client exposure from day one; you will be working closely with partners rather than being insulated by layers of hierarchy. This is unusually rare at a firm of this calibre. Despite sitting within a top-tier US platform with all the ambition, quality of work and compensation that implies, this London practice has real autonomy, its own client base and a culture that rewards initiative.
The firm has recently advised on high-profile matters including FCA authorisation for a major crypto business, the $24.25 billion sale of a global payments platform, and a range of regulatory matters for leading financial institutions.
Compensation & Working Arrangements
Cravath scale remuneration with a discretionary bonus payable on hitting a 2,000-hour target. Minimum three days in the office per week (often four).
What They Are Looking For
The firm is specifically targeting candidates from UK practices rather than US firms. The role is focused on financial services regulation with a strong banking angle alongside crypto, fintech and broader regulatory work. It is not a funds regulatory or consumer credit (C-regs) role, as those functions sit separately within the firm.
The ideal candidate will be comfortable with detailed research and drafting and is looking to build a technically strong foundation in financial services regulation early in their career. To be considered, you should:
- Be 1–3 PQE
- Be currently in private practice at a well-regarded UK firm
- Have a background in financial services regulation with relevant banking, fintech or crypto exposure
- Be England & Wales qualified
If you are a junior financial services regulatory solicitor seeking a high-quality platform with early responsibility, direct partner access and market-leading compensation, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please get in touch for a confidential conversation.
Financial Regulatory Associate in London employer: Buchanan
As a leading international law firm based in London, we offer an exceptional work environment for Financial Regulatory Associates, characterised by a culture of autonomy and direct partner engagement. Our team provides early exposure to high-profile, international financial services regulatory matters, fostering professional growth through meaningful responsibilities and a commitment to innovation in areas like fintech and crypto. With competitive compensation aligned with the Cravath scale and a focus on employee development, we are dedicated to nurturing talent in a dynamic and supportive setting.
