16 Oct
Bates Wells
London
About the Role
Joining a growing Risk & Compliance function, you will assist and advise across the business on all aspects of regulatory compliance, acting as a first point of contact for escalations and providing overall support to the team. The team deals with interesting and complex matters in the compliance space and remains mindful of the needs of the practice and business teams.
Key Responsibilities
This role involves assisting the Director of Risk, the Senior Risk & Compliance Lawyer and wider R&C; Team in managing the firm’s regulatory risk. Key duties include:
- Acting as the primary point of escalation for enquiries from the onboarding team relating to all core compliance issues including AML, CDD, sanctions and conflicts,
escalating matters to the Director of Risk and Senior Risk & Compliance Lawyer as appropriate.
- Assisting with Data Protection/GDPR matters, advising on data breaches (including escalations to the ICO), responding to DSARs, drafting DPIAs.
- Assisting the Director of Risk and Senior Risk Lawyer with internal investigations with reference to the relevant SRA Principles and Codes of Conduct.
- Reviewing client engagement terms and assisting in providing replies to client questionnaires, tender and audits. Reviewing supplier contracts and assisting with regulatory aspects of procurement.
- Undertaking a preliminary review of complaints and potential claims. Reporting matters to the firm’s senior management team, management board, and insurers with the Senior Risk Lawyer. Updating the firm Risk Register to record all complaints and claims.
- Facilitating the development of a training programme on all aspects of regulatory risk. Delivering mandatory training through the training programme and on an ad hoc basis.
- Assisting in the development, review and maintenance of the firm’s compliance policies and procedures.
- Horizon scanning, including monitoring legal and regulatory developments and sharing these insights with the R&C; team and wider firm where appropriate.
- Supporting the business in achieving regulatory standards including ISO accreditations.
- Assisting the R&C; Team with ongoing projects to continually improve the firm’s approach to all aspects of regulatory compliance.
About You
- Qualified lawyer with at least 2-3 years of compliance experience in a law firm. Alternatively, you will be an experienced lawyer looking to transition into a risk role.
- Knowledge of professional conduct rules and the regulatory landscape.
- Excellent drafting, communication,
and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work across multiple tasks and to tight deadlines in line with the requirements of the business.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong attention to detail.
- Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships with a client-centric approach.
Why Join Us?
One-Firm Approach: We believe in working together and continuously improving to achieve common goals, providing a consistent Bates Wells experience for all.
Values-Driven: We're dedicated to our clients, people, and the planet, integrating the Climate Emergency and Biodiversity Crisis into our business strategy.
Purpose-Driven: Our people are our greatest asset, and purpose is at the core of what we do, embedded in our partnership deed.
Work-Life Balance:
At least 25 days holiday, plus an additional day for your birthday.
Agile & Hybrid: Work flexibly in different spaces, including our rooftop garden when you're in the office.
Comprehensive Benefits: Pension contributions, private medical insurance, discretionary bonuses, life assurance, subsidized gym memberships, lifestyle discount schemes, and a firm-wide profit-sharing scheme
About the team
We are a very supportive and passionate team – our aim is to ensure that we comply with all relevant laws and regulations, protect the firm and our colleagues’ professional integrity, and support everyone so that we can provide an excellent service to clients. We have embedded a culture of openness across our firm,
which means that our colleagues involve us in all manner of issues that arise throughout the course of their work. The firm has grown significantly in recent years and sees the positive benefit of investing in our team to help deliver high standards of client care, efficiencies through improved processes, centralisation of core compliance functions, and the delivery of solutions to address the ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape.
Interested in applying?
If you think you'd be a great fit for this role, click 'apply' above!
▶️ Risk and Compliance Lawyer
🖊️ Bates Wells
📍 London