Legal Counsel in Birmingham

Our client, a well-established and growing law firm, is investing significantly in its Risk and Compliance function and is looking to appoint a Legal Counsel to join the team. This is a newly evolving role within a business that is actively expanding its governance capability, a great opportunity for someone who wants to help shape a function as it grows, rather than step into a fixed, static remit.

The firm is genuinely flexible on working pattern: this role can be fully remote or hybrid, with a base in the firm's Birmingham city centre office for those who want in-person time with the team.

The role

You’ll sit within the General Legal / Risk & Compliance team, providing pragmatic, commercial legal advice and support across the business. The role covers a broad and varied remit, including:

• Providing quality legal, risk and compliance advice to stakeholders across the business

• Horizon-scanning legislative and regulatory change, and translating it into practical guidance

• Supporting governance and risk identification on business initiatives of varying scale

• Financial crime and sanctions work, including AML, sanctions checks, tax evasion risk, and fraud prevention

• Supporting due diligence, client onboarding, and supplier risk processes

• Contract review, drafting, and negotiation support across a range of commercial agreements

• Engaging with regulators and key external stakeholders

• Delivering training and raising awareness of risk and compliance across the firm

• Contributing to wider strategic and business continuity projects

This is a role that will evolve alongside the function, so there's real scope to get involved in shaping process, policy, and best practice as the team develops.

Experience required

• A relevant degree and legal qualification

• Strong knowledge and experience of risk, governance and compliance

• The ability to analyse complex information and turn it into clear, practical recommendations

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• A pragmatic, commercial, and solutions-focused mindset

• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure

• A collaborative approach, comfortable building relationships across a business and working independently

• Adaptability, and comfort with a role that will change and grow over time

• Willingness to travel to other offices occasionally, with overnight stays where required

Experience in financial crime, AML, sanctions, or contracts work would be an advantage, though not essential.

Why apply

• Genuine flexibility: fully remote or hybrid working

• A firm actively investing in and growing its risk and compliance capability

• Broad exposure across governance, financial crime, contracts, and regulatory engagement

• Real influence over how the function develops