Risk Lawyer (Financial Crime)

The Role

Reporting directly into the COLP/General Counsel (Legal Practice) and working as part of the General Counsel team, this role will play a critical role in providing escalation support and legal advice on all matters relating to financial crime, sanctions, internal investigations on complex AML matters, as well as liaising with key stakeholders across the business. This newly created role will play a critical part in continuing to build the one-team ethos that values teamwork, continuous development, and providing the highest legal rigour and advice to the business. This role will work closely with the General Counsel, with a clear opportunity for ongoing development.

As the Firm continues to grow and expand the Mishcon Group both here and overseas, the challenges facing the team are also increasing. As the Firm attracts new talent it also generates an increasing number of strategic initiatives which often involves the GC Team. We are therefore embedded into the senior management of the Firm, working closely with a range of stakeholders who seek our counsel and input into projects and initiatives. It will suit individuals who have a commercial mind, excellent common sense and drafting skills. The ability to demonstrate agility will be critical.

As an experienced member of the team, this role will regularly interface with key stakeholders across the business, including Partners, Lawyers, and leaders of our operational and consultancy businesses. This will be a highly visible role (whether remote or in person), therefore the ability to build effective working relationships and become a trusted advisor to the range of stakeholders will be key to its success.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To work in the General Counsel team and provide legal advice and input on financial crime risk issues and investigations.
• To support the MLCO and COLP in their delivery of financial crime strategy, including providing input on policies and procedures.
• To lead on information requests, external audit and annual reporting requirements involving financial crime issues.
• To lead on audit and assurance processes, managing stakeholders in the wider business acceptance team.
• To input to practice-wide risk assessments and take the lead on updating and reviewing processes as required.
• To lead on the training to be delivered to the Firm regarding financial crime, collaborating with other stakeholders in the Risk team and wider firm.
• To contribute towards other risk and regulatory projects within the department as and when requested, which may include collaborating with colleagues across the business acceptance functions and wider Business Operations.
• To engage actively with the Business Acceptance team and Financial Crime Managers as needed, providing expertise and support where required.
• To build a collaborative team environment that delivers the highest standards of advice and guidance to the business.
• To build relationships across the Firm with key stakeholders, to be able to provide advice and guidance as and when requested.

Skills/Experience

• Substantial experience in a financial crime focussed role in a law firm risk function is essential.
• Some prior experience in new business acceptance escalations would be valuable.
• Substantial experience and knowledge of financial crime legislation and guidance.
• Experience in supervising colleagues and successfully managing and leading a team.
• Experience managing internal investigations on complex AML, sanctions and financial crime matters is valuable.
• Meaningful experience with Intapp (our Matter Opening system) is essential.
• Qualified Solicitor is required - whether through the traditional training contract route or by an alternative qualification route.
• We are seeking candidates with "hands on" experience who possess the following skills and attributes:
• Strong people management skills with proven experience in successfully building a high performing team.
• Strong interpersonal skills to be able to present themselves in a commercial and confident manner to a range of stakeholders.
• The highest standards of legal rigour, delivered with care in a professional and pleasant manner.
• Excellent drafting skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• A diligent and effective record keeper.
• Strong team player - this role is highly collaborative and requires someone who enjoys working alongside colleagues and takes a supportive and agile approach.
• Strong organisational and prioritising skills, to meet the demands of challenging and commercial internal clients, as well as dealing with competing priorities.
• Ability to review existing systems and listen and work collaboratively to devise best strategies for the Firm.
• Efficient and responsive with an ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to manage own diverse workload.
• Robust, diligent and confident, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proactive, resilient and calm under pressure.
• Takes responsibility for and attends to self-development.
• Flexible and agile approach to the workload, with the ability to work in close collaboration with the General Counsel Team and other members of the Department.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

About Mishcon de Reya LLP

Mishcon de Reya is an independent law firm, which now employs over 1400 people with more than 650 lawyers offering a wide range of legal services to companies and individuals. The firm has grown rapidly in recent years, showing more than 40% revenue growth in the past five years alone. With presence in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore and Hong Kong, the firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply. The work the firm undertakes is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, centred around three increasingly entwined and connected sectors: the Innovation Economy, Private Wealth and Capital, and Real Estate. The firm is known as a disputes powerhouse with a formidable capacity firmwide for dispute resolution. We strive to create a fully diverse and inclusive workplace where all our people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We are proud of our agile working culture and are always happy to talk flexible working.