Conflicts & AML Analyst in City of London

Sidley in London offers myriad opportunities for lawyers and professional staff to apply their talents toward important, challenging projects on a global stage. Our culture of collegiality attracts people with diverse skills and backgrounds who are dedicated to teamwork, collaboration, and superior client service.

We maintain an environment focused on teamwork and cooperation. Our London office has a relaxed, down-to-earth friendliness, with lawyers and business professionals at all levels treating each other with genuine respect. We value the skills and knowledge that each team member brings and believe in creating a work environment where everyone thrives.

We are located in a distinctive new development at 70 St. Mary Axe with panoramic views across London. Based in the heart of the City and close to Liverpool Street station, you’ll find a great social scene within the office, with organised events including sailing and skiing weekends, seasonal parties, and charitable team activities.

Sidley is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture. We recognise that bringing together individuals from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthens the quality of our legal work and continues to position us as a trusted leader in the legal profession.

The Conflicts & AML Analyst plays a key role in the firm’s new business acceptance process, conducting in-depth research and analysis to support conflict checks and anti-money laundering reviews. The role reports to the UK and EU Associate Manager and works closely with fellow Conflicts & AML Analysts, the Conflicts Lawyers, and the Team Administrator to support conflicts clearance, AML compliance, and ultimately facilitating new business across the region.

The team delivers a high-quality, business-critical service to Partners and fee earners across Sidley’s global offices. The role is both analytical and stakeholder facing, requiring strong judgement, attention to detail, and confidence in engaging with Partners.

As the firm continues to expand into emerging markets and growth sectors, the work of the Conflicts and AML team is becoming increasingly sophisticated. There is genuine opportunity to engage directly with Partners on AML considerations arising from evolving client risk profiles, including enhanced due diligence, risk assessment, and onboarding decisions.

The team works closely with senior leadership, including regular interaction with the firm’s Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs). This provides meaningful exposure and development, particularly for candidates looking to deepen their expertise in complex cross-border risk matters within a high-performing international firm environment.

The Conflicts and New Business team currently operates on a hybrid working model of three days per week in the office and two days working from home, although additional days in the office may be required in the future dependent on business need. Wednesday is currently the team’s anchor day, when all team members are expected to be in the office to support collaboration, training, and team alignment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Performing an initial review of conflicts search requests and working with secretaries and submitters to obtain clear, precise, and relevant information.
• Conducting corporate research, incorporating relevant affiliated parties, and preparing search terms to capture relevant search results.
• Reviewing search results to identify potential conflict and/or business issues for the firm and escalating relevant hits to the Conflicts Lawyers for review.
• Preparing and sending conflicts search reports to Partners, Associates, and Secretaries.
• Maintaining a clear record documenting all conflicts research, communication with internal clients, analysis, and conclusion of conflicts resolution within the conflicts system.
• Researching, identifying, and verifying new clients using external corporate research tools and online resources.
• Advising and supporting the Partners, Associates, and Secretaries on the AML policy and procedure in the UK/EU.
• Conducting AML risk analysis on a range of clients from low to high risk, including clients with complex structures and AML risk issues.
• Applying high-level analytical and drafting skills when preparing AML risk assessments.
• Preparing AML Packs in a systematic and organised manner.
• Assisting in ongoing monitoring of current clients and updating client due diligence records.
• Providing regular updates on work and any high-risk clients/matters in weekly team meetings chaired by the MLROs.
• Escalating high-risk or special cases to the Associate Manager, Director, and MLROs for further review/approval.

Qualifications:

• Experience working within a US or international law firm environment.
• Strong experience in AML and client due diligence processes.
• Conflicts of interest experience.
• Experience using Intapp Open and/or other legal case management systems.
• Familiarity with compliance screening databases such as S&P Cap IQ, Orbis, or WorldCheck.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong research capability.
• Sound judgement and the ability to exercise discretion when handling confidential matters.
• Strong interpersonal and internal client service skills, with confidence engaging with Partners and senior stakeholders.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Compliance professional that is commercially minded.

Benefits include:

• Annual discretionary performance bonus.
• Non-contributory pension scheme – 5% employer contribution, with an additional 3% matched from you.
• 33 days paid time off – inclusive of short-term sickness absence.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Permanent Health Insurance.
• Life Assurance – equivalent to four times your salary.
• Health club contribution.
• Interest-free season ticket loan.
• Free GP service and regular health checks.