Counsel, General Counsel & Risk

Practice Group / Department:

General Counsel, Financial Crime & Business Conduct

Job Description

We're Norton Rose Fulbright – a global law firm with over 50 offices and 7,000 employees worldwide. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. At Norton Rose Fulbright, our strategy and our culture are closely entwined. We know that our expansion will mean little unless it is underpinned by truly global collaboration and we understand that pioneering work only takes place when our people have room to move and think beyond boundaries. As well as the relevant skills and experience, we're looking for people who are innovative, commercial and value the work that they do. 

Our London office is currently seeking a talented financial crime Lawyer, with 5+ years relevant PQE, to join the Financial Crime & Business Conduct Team (FCT), in our General Counsel & Risk Team (GCRT). 

The Role

The role primarily involves the provision of expert and pragmatic advice to NRF EMEA, its stakeholders and staff (including senior management, partners, lawyers and business services staff) on applicable financial crime related regulatory and reputational risks, policies, controls and processes and business conduct related regulatory obligations and risks (such as human rights, ESG, CSR and business ethics) in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. 

The successful candidate will report to the General Counsel, Financial Crime & Business Conduct / NRF EMEA’s Deputy MLRO and will be part of a high performing, solutions focused team.

The role is UK based and is a full-time permanent position.     

Key Responsibilities

• Being a subject matter expert and trusted advisor to NRF EMEA on financial crime issues, including but not limited to economic and trade sanctions, anti-money laundering, counterterrorist funding, anti-bribery and corruption, proliferation financing, dishonesty offences (eg. fraud, tax evasion, insider trading) and reporting obligations.
• Analysing and assessing financial crime risks (including regulatory, reputational and commercial) presented by new and existing business; recommending pragmatic solutions to manage risks effectively and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and the firm’s policies and risk appetite; escalating decision making where appropriate.
• Managing and clearing escalations from the GCRT and Global New Business Risk team on high risk clients and matters.
• Escalating high risk work to MLROs and senior management as appropriate.
• Drafting and submitting reports and licence applications to regulators across EMEA as required.   
• Preparing external reports as required by the firm’s bankers, insurers, auditors, clients, vendors and other third parties.
• Providing internal training to the GCRT, partners and staff on financial crime and business conduct risk issues and mitigation.
• Contributing to internal reports on financial crime and business conduct related matters for use by NRF EMEA’s Chief Risk & Regulatory Officer, COLP, MLROs and senior management.   
• Overseeing the preparation of NRF EMEA’s business risk assessments.   
• Participating in a broad range of projects aimed at addressing existing and anticipated financial crime and business conduct risks facing the business and regulatory changes.
• Assisting on the drafting and implementation of internal policies, procedures and knowledge resources in respect of financial crime and business conduct related issues.
• Horizon scanning for regulatory and risk related issues, including geo-political and legislative developments which may impact the business and our clients.
• Working closely with General Counsel & Risk counterparts and fee earners in NRF EMEA and NRF’s other member firms (based in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa) to address inter-regional / global risk issues.  

Skills and Experience Required

We are looking for a candidate who, in addition to having the requisite legal skills, qualifications and experience, is creative, commercial and values the work that they do. 

We encourage multiple approaches and believe that diversity and testing different points of view drives innovation and high performance. The role is a broad one where the successful candidate will receive support and training from subject matter experts, commensurate with their level and type of experience. 

The successful candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa or US qualified lawyer, REL or RFL. 
• Minimum of 5 years PQE in a role where they have gained financial crime related experience, whether as a Risk & Compliance professional in a regulated firm or organisation, external legal advisor or role with a regulatory authority or law enforcement agency. Ideally, this experience will include advising on UK economic and trade sanctions.
• “Can do” attitude and willingness to learn. 
• High level of technical expertise; thorough understanding of UK and EU sanctions, AML regulations, and other relevant financial crime and business conduct legislation.
• Ability to effectively analyse complex legal and factual issues.
• Excellent research skills, with close attention to detail.
• A genuine interest in geo-political issues and regulatory developments.
• Pro-active approach; anticipating the needs of our clients and internal stakeholders; looking at ways to add value wherever possible and unafraid to ask questions and test the status quo.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to articulate arguments and complex concepts clearly, succinctly and respectfully to all levels of staff and in different cultural settings (where English may not be a first language). 
• Ability to deal with difficult and novel situations with poise.
• Sufficiently confident to exercise initiative and make risk-based judgement calls on a daily basis, whilst appropriately escalating matters.
• Ability to prioritise and delegate effectively.
• Highly motivated and flexible in approach to work driven by commercial and client demands.
• A lateral and innovative thinker who is able to overcome obstacles under time pressure and can effectively balance the firm's legal obligations with its business needs.
• A discrete and professional approach to sensitive matters and confidential information.Willi