Risk and Compliance Manager

KMA Legal Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

KMA Legal Recruitment seeks a Risk and Compliance Manager for its London office to protect the firm’s reputation and ensure adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. You will work with the Head of Risk, fellow managers, and an assistant to drive compliance across the practice.

The role requires deep knowledge of SRA Codes, Accounts Rules, and broader regulatory frameworks, plus a proven track record in law-firm risk management and implementing compliance programs.

Qualifications

• Advising fee earners on professional conduct matters including conflicts of interest, ethics, the SRA Standards and Regulations, and the SRA Accounts Rules.
• Monitor compliance with the Solicitors Code of Conduct, including introduction and referral arrangements and vetting of new schemes.
• Horizon-scan legislative and regulatory developments, coordinate implementation across the firm, and update relevant stakeholders.
• Manage actual and potential claims against the firm: liaise with professional indemnity insurers, conduct investigations, maintain records, and process payments and receipts on nominal accounts.
• Investigate and coordinate responses to complaints, provide analysis and reports to the Management Team, and support the Head of Risk with complaints that elevate to the SRA or Legal Ombudsman.
• Draft, review, and update risk management policies and procedures.
• Conduct compliance audits of practice groups, provide feedback, and monitor matter-specific risk management plans.
• Coordinate the firm’s Lexcel accreditation assessment and application.
• Maintain Root Cause Analysis records in line with Law South Risk & Compliance Standards and complete Law South questionnaires and self-assessment audits.
• Assist with the annual professional indemnity insurance renewal, liaise with Accounts on premium payments, and handle insurance-related queries from fee earners.
• Work with IT, Finance, HR, and Office Services to maintain the firm’s Business Continuity Plan and report to the Management Team.
• Attend and contribute to the firm’s Information Security Group meetings.
• Deliver induction training for new joiners and ongoing training to the firm on risk-related matters.
• Supervise and help develop the Risk and Compliance Assistant
• Contribute to senior management reports as require
• Support due diligence on potential mergers and acquisitions
• Collaborate with Marketing and Business Development to ensure compliance with Law Society guidance and SRA rules
• Assist Groups with file transfers, panel management and tender applications
• Review third party terms of business (e.g. lender panel agreements) on behalf of the firm

Responsibilities

• Advise fee earners on professional conduct matters, conflicts of interest, and SRA rules.
• Oversee compliance with the Solicitors Code of Conduct and vet new schemes.
• Lead horizon-scanning of regulatory developments and roll out firm-wide updates.
• Manage claims handling with indemnity insurers, investigations, and accounts activity.
• Coordinate responses to complaints and escalate matters to the SRA or Legal Ombudsman as needed.
• Draft and update risk policies and procedures.
• Conduct audits of practice groups and monitor risk management plans.
• Coordinate Lexcel accreditation processes.
• Maintain root cause analysis records and respond to self-assessment questionnaires.
• Support insurance renewals and liaise with Accounts on premiums.
• Collaborate with IT/Finance/HR to maintain Business Continuity planning.
• Participate in Information Security Group meetings.
• Deliver induction and ongoing risk training for staff.
• Lead and mentor the Risk and Compliance Assistant.
• Prepare senior management reports and board-level updates.
• Assist with due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.
• Work with Marketing/BD to ensure Law Society compliance.
• Support panel management and third-party contract reviews

Skills

Regulatory compliance

SRA standards & regulations

Policy development

Risk assessment

Stakeholder communication

Training & mentoring

Education

Law degree

Business-related degree

Job description

A leading regional law firm with several offices are seeking a Risk and Compliance Manager to join their office in London.

Role

We are seeking a Risk and Compliance Manager to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the firm's reputation and ensuring adherence to all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

You will work alongside the Head of Risk, two existing Risk and Compliance Managers, and an Assistant.

Responsibilities include:

• Advise fee earners on professional conduct matters including conflicts of interest, ethics, the SRA Standards and Regulations, and the SRA Accounts Rules
• Monitor compliance with the Solicitors Code of Conduct, including introduction and referral arrangements and vetting of new schemes
• Horizon-scan legislative and regulatory developments, coordinate implementation across the firm, and update relevant stakeholders
• Manage actual and potential claims against the firm: liaise with professional indemnity insurers, conduct investigations, maintain records, and process payments and receipts on nominal accounts
• Investigate and coordinate responses to complaints, provide analysis and reports to the Management Team, and support the Head of Risk with complaints that elevate to the SRA or Legal Ombudsman
• Draft, review, and update risk management policies and procedures
• Conduct compliance audits of practice groups, provide feedback, and monitor matter-specific risk management plans
• Coordinate the firm’s Lexcel accreditation assessment and application
• Maintain Root Cause Analysis records in line with Law South Risk & Compliance Standards and complete Law South questionnaires and self-assessment audits
• Assist with the annual professional indemnity insurance renewal, liaise with Accounts on premium payments, and handle insurance-related queries from fee earners
• Work with IT, Finance, HR, and Office Services to maintain the firm’s Business Continuity Plan and report to the Management Team
• Attend and contribute to the firm’s Information Security Group meetings
• Deliver induction training for new joiners and ongoing training to the firm on risk-related matters
• Supervise and help develop the Risk and Compliance Assistant
• Contribute to senior management reports as require
• Support due diligence on potential mergers and acquisitions
• Collaborate with Marketing and Business Development to ensure compliance with Law Society guidance and SRA rules
• Assist Groups with file transfers, panel management and tender applications
• Review third party terms of business (e.g. lender panel agreements) on behalf of the firm

You

This role requires a strategic thinker with deep expertise in legal sector regulation, including detailed knowledge of the SRA Code of Conduct, SRA Accounts Rules, SRA Standards and Regulations, indemnity insurance rules, and the Legal Ombudsman scheme.

The ideal candidate will hold a degree in law, business, or a related discipline. You will have substantial experience in a risk and compliance role within a law firm, with a proven track record of developing and implementing compliance frameworks.

Why apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a highly regarded, growing law firm who support and nurture their staff. The role will be highly rewarding and challenging and a competitive salary is on offer as well as an attractive benefits package.