Financial Crime Lawyer - In-House

Linklaters; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious international law firm in London seeks a qualified lawyer to manage financial crime compliance and risk management. The role includes advising teams, managing sanctions compliance, and training staff. Ideal candidates will have at least 2 years PQE, experience in compliance management, and excellent communication skills. This position offers a supportive environment focused on professional growth and inclusivity.

Benefits

Global work experience

Commitment to diversity

Health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years PQE in a relevant role.
• Experience managing complex compliance programmes.
• Ability to draft and update policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Advise on financial crime related issues and requirements.
• Support Risk Partners globally on compliance.
• Manage sanctions compliance and regulatory issues.

Skills

Financial crime expertise

Compliance management

Team management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Qualified practicing lawyer

Job description

Overview

Linklaters is a leading international law firm, with 31 offices in 21 countries worldwide. Ours is an environment of outperformance. We foster a positive, supportive, and innovative culture with opportunities for our talent to thrive. We value inclusivity and celebrate diversity, challenging bias to work as one team with a common goal.

This is a dynamic and varied role in a small, supportive, and friendly global team within the firm’s Business Acceptance team. The role involves engaging directly with the Practice on Financial Crime (FC) risks as a trusted advisor.

Global FC team responsibilities

1. Proactively develop and manage the systems, policies, and procedures for Linklaters’ Financial Crime compliance.
2. Manage the firm’s sanctions compliance, including updates when sanctions regimes require a change in approach.
3. Advise on FC and other reputational risks to the Practice, Legal & Risk Team, and other Business Teams.
4. Support relationships with regulators on FC issues and assist Risk Partners across the network with local FC laws and regulations.
5. Manage the firm’s reporting requirements.
6. Manage the FC training program.
7. Support and develop the FC team and the wider Business Acceptance Team.
8. Contribute to promoting an effective risk management culture, working with partners and senior management to ensure FC risks are appropriately managed.

About you

You will be a qualified practicing lawyer with experience at a large or leading international law firm or in-house within global professional services firms.

You will have:

• Minimum 2 years’ PQE
• Expertise in financial crime and general compliance issues and an understanding of their impact on the legal sector
• Experience in managing complex compliance programmes balancing regulatory adherence with commercial realities
• Experience in team management including training and supervising junior colleagues
• Good communication and organisational skills, ability to work as a team and contribute to its success
• Ability to assess, draft and update policies and procedures
• Experience in developing and delivering training on regulatory and compliance issues

Your role

Advise the firm on FC related issues and procedures

• Provide ad hoc day-to-day advice on FC risks and requirements to Business Acceptance team members, Practice, Legal & Risk Team, other Business Teams, and the firm’s MLRO
• Support Risk Partners globally on FC law compliance in their jurisdictions, including regulatory audits

Reputational risk

• Evaluate and advise on reputational risk issues presented by clients and matters (e.g., higher risk jurisdictions, opaque ownership, source and flow of funds, allegations of criminal conduct relating to shareholders or beneficial owners, ESG concerns)
• Stay informed on latest potential reputational risk areas that may affect the firm
• Participate in developing and managing the firm’s global reputational risk processes

Manage the firm’s Sanctions compliance

• Evaluate and advise on regulatory and sanctions risks in new business
• Respond promptly to changes in sanctions regimes to ensure protection of the firm
• Provide advice on sanctions issues
• Stay abreast of international sanctions developments affecting Linklaters’ business
• Participate in the management and development of systems, procedures, and internal knowledge resources related to sanctions

Provide support and training to the Business Acceptance team on FC issues

• Support members of the Business Acceptance team in all FC aspects of new business clearance
• Help run the FC training program for all members of the Business Acceptance team
• Work with Business Acceptance managers to ensure FC processes are efficient and effective
• Be a key lead on FC quality control initiatives

Development & Management of the firm’s global Anti-Money Laundering and Risk Assessment Systems

• Support development and management of global AML and risk assessment systems to ensure global compliance
• Assist in managing relationships with external service providers and evaluate market products to improve processes and compliance
• Promote continuous improvement, efficiency, and innovation within the Business Acceptance Team

Team Development

• Support and assist in developing junior FC team members and the wider Legal & Risk team through training, mentoring, and sponsorship

Strategy

• Support the firm in implementing its strategy and, when required, work with wider Business Teams on project delivery

What sets us apart

• Global work experience and involvement in strategic projects that drive innovation
• Commitment to corporate social responsibility, governance, and diversity
• Focused on talent with inclusive, respectful culture and open-door policy
• Custom-fit career paths and agile working solutions
• Health and wellbeing support and access to expert advice
• Development of future leaders with emotional intelligence and mentoring capabilities

Our commitment

We are entrepreneurial and collaborative, providing support and training to maximise potential and career growth. We value diversity, inclusivity, and a positive working environment where colleagues feel they belong. You will be challenged, mentored, and supported with access to professional learning and skills-based programmes.

A note to agencies: We are obliged to advise agencies that introductions not directed to the recruitment team or outside regulatory requirements are not eligible for a placement fee. Agencies should contact the recruitment team at [e-mail] for eligible roles.

Technical Skills: This list of duties is not exhaustive and may include additional tasks as required.

Application Policy

Applications and CVs (direct or via agency) are only accepted online via the portal. Queries related to roles should be directed to the recruitment team and not to partners or stakeholders ([e-mail] for legal roles or [e-mail] for business team roles).