Risk and Compliance Lawyer

About this role

Overview of the Function The Firm Freshfields is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it matters most, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,800 lawyers around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments. Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams.

We think and work globally - we don’t just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work isn’t just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.

We aim to add value in everything we do - we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.

The Legal Department This department, made up of both qualified lawyers and non-lawyers, exists to manage the firm’s risk exposure and to provide advice to the firm on a range of legal and compliance issues.

The role of the Legal Department is to support the firm in pursing the effective management of regulatory, legal, operational, and information security risk so as to preserve and maximize the value of the firm over the long term. We do this by taking responsibility for a range of actions, by sharing in the performance of others and by assisting partners and staff to manage risk themselves through training, awareness raising and the provision of relevant intelligence, services and materials.

Our vision is for our department to be recognized as a leader amongst comparable, elite, law firms. That means being acknowledged internally as providing an excellent service in a commercial and empathetic manner. It means adequately meeting the needs of the firm while remaining agile and cost effective; constantly refining our techniques, objectives and ways of working to respond to changes in the business and the threats we face.

Role summary/purpose of job The Risk & Compliance Lawyer plays a key role as a member of the firm’s Legal Department, which manages the firm’s risk exposure and provides advice to the firm on a range of legal and compliance issues relating to business acceptance (including conflicts of interest, confidentiality, client due diligence, sanctions issues, reputational and commercial risk) as well as other issues, such as contracting, commercial risks, client engagement terms, local ethical and regulatory issues, and firm policies and practice.

Key responsibilities and deliverables As a member of the Legal Department’s US team, the Risk & Compliance Lawyer will have the following responsibilities: • Advise the partnership on business acceptance issues relating to conflicts of interest, confidential information, reputational risk and sanctions issues globally, to assess the business suitability of potential new matters and new clients; • Undertake due diligence and reputational risk assessment of new clients and matters; • Assist the partnership with solutions to resolve conflicts, confidentiality, reputational and commercial risk, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and sanctions issues including assistance with drafting waivers and maintaining information barriers; • Answer questions from partners, associates and staff at all levels across the firm regarding US law, regulations and firm policies pertaining to conflicts of interest, ethics and regulatory compliance; • Review and advise on client engagement letters and outside counsel guidelines, particularly with respect to conflicts of interest and US applicable law and regulation; • Advise the partnership on ad hoc queries relating to ethics and regulatory compliance  including audit letters, securities dealing, anti-bribery regulations, outside appointments, qualification and practice of law, attorney advertising, fee-sharing and other fee arrangements; • Assist in review of incoming lateral hires for potential conflicts of interest; • Remain current on the type of work that Freshfields undertakes across all sectors and join a sector team in at least two sectors building strong and trusted relationships with Sector Group Leaders; and • Understand the regulatory frameworks the firm operates in globally, particularly developments in New York, DC, California and the US nationally, and the Firm’s client base; • Develop and maintain close working relationship with all members of the Legal Department to ensure operation in a consistent and global manner;   • Assist with training to the firm on risk issues (including New Hire Induction Training and Intapp system training) and be an ambassador for the Legal Department within the wider firm; and • Assist with the development and implementation of business acceptance processes as part of Legal Department and firm-wide programs.

Key requirements • This is a hybrid role requiring in office presence three days per week in Freshfields New York, Raleigh or DC office; • Must hold a law degree and be admitted to practice law in the US; • Must be used to working to very high standards of accuracy and efficiency, but balanced with a practical, common sense approach;  • Must be able to give clear and commercial advice succinctly (verbally and in writing) on complex issues;  • Must have excellent drafting skills;  • Must have a meticulous appr

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