Compliance and Risk Counsel
In addition, the New Business Intake team (approximately 30 managers and analysts) sits within the Compliance & Risk function, reporting up to the Director of Compliance. At present, the firms London head office handles all compliance and risk matters across the firms global footprint.The firm has recently appointed a new role, Head of Corporate Risk & Governance which in turn reports to the General Counsel.
The role arose due to the expansion of the firms General Counsel team in response to growth within the firm and increasing regulatory requirements within the sector in the UK and internationally. The Head of Corporate Risk & Governance is responsible for firm governance (including the LLP Members Agreement, intra-group agreements and related documents), ensuring compliance with professional standards (including through policy work, file auditing and training), and contractual work relating to both client engagements and the firms suppliers.
This new Compliance and Risk Counsel role will support and report to the Head of Corporate Risk & Governance, although the successful applicant will also undertake work with the General Counsel and potentially other members of the Risk Legal team.Role and ResponsibilitiesDrafting and updating client engagement letters and standard terms of businessAdvising on outside counsel guidelines and client bespoke termsProviding Risk team assistance for client pitches, RfPs and Panel applicationsAdvising on barrister, expert witness and local counsel engagement termsWorking with the Head of Procurement to review and negotiate supplier contractsDrafting updates to LLP corporate documents and member resolutionsAdvising on SRA regulatory requirementsAssisting with regulatory engagementAssisting with practising certificate renewals processDrafting firm policiesAuditing files for compliance with regulatory requirementsAssisting with COLP internal investigationsSupporting the Head of Corporate Risk and General Counsel with strategic risk management initiativesSupporting the opening of any new officesComply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles.Skills and experienceQualified solicitor (or equivalent) with around 2-4 years Post Qualification Experience, ideally with a commercial or corporate law backgroundRelevant experience may have been gained either in a fee-earning or in-house roleStrong drafting skills, especially contract draftingExperience of negotiating contract termsUnderstanding of SRA Code of ConductMotivated to develop expertise in regulatory requirements in the UK and internationallyUnderstanding of conflicts of interest and conflicts resolution would be advantageous but not essentialPerson specificationBe able to work with minimal supervision and using own initiativeAble to work effectively with and build strong relationships with colleagues at all levels across the firmAble to articulate difficult messages and decisions to the business through effective communicationExcellent written and verbal communication skillsResilient, flexible in approach and responsiveAble to balance competing priorities effectivelySelf-motivated and able to take responsibility for taking matters through to completion or resolutionExperience of working in a large City or international law firm is desirable