Senior Risk Lawyer

LR Legal Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LR Legal Recruitment seeks a Senior Risk Lawyer for an international law firm with a London base. The role supports the Head of Legal Risk and COLP across multiple jurisdictions, with a focus on regulatory compliance, sanctions, data protection and financial crime controls.

The position is London-based with hybrid working (60% office). Ideal candidates are England & Wales qualified solicitors with 6–10 years’ PQE and substantial risk function experience in an international firm.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales, ideally with 6–10 years' PQE.
• Minimum of three years' experience within the Risk function of an international law firm.
• Detailed knowledge of the SRA regulatory framework, particularly the Code of Conduct.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in Contract, Tort, Financial crime / AML, Sanctions, Conflicts, Confidentiality, privilege and data protection.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally to undertake audits and training.
• Experience delivering training.
• Experience dealing with professional indemnity claims and complaints.

Responsibilities

• Advising on risk, compliance, ethics, conflicts and sanctions.
• Liaising with international offices and stakeholders.
• Developing and updating policies and procedures.
• Maintaining registers and monitoring compliance.
• Supporting audits and training initiatives.
• Undertaking other ad hoc duties.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

SRA Code of Conduct

Communication skills

Policy drafting

Analytical skills

Travel internationally

Training delivery

Risk & Compliance

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales (6–10 PQE)

Job description

Senior Risk Lawyer - International Law Firm Experience Required

Reporting to: Head of Legal Risk

Location: London / Hybrid – minimum 60% office attendance

Contract: FTC - Ends March 2027

The Firm

A leading sector-focused international law firm with a global presence across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

The firm takes a progressive, commercial and pragmatic approach to supporting its clients, providing specialist legal advice across a range of sectors including construction, aviation, shipping, insurance, commodities and energy.

The Department

The Risk & Compliance team is a well-established international function comprising senior Risk & Compliance professionals, Risk Lawyers, Business Acceptance specialists, Conflicts professionals, Compliance Systems and Data Privacy specialists.

The team operates across multiple international offices and works closely with the firm's General Counsel, COLP and MLRO, as well as senior stakeholders responsible for areas including professional indemnity, sanctions and data protection.

The Role

This is a legal role reporting to the Head of Legal Risk, supporting the Head of Legal Risk, the Risk & Compliance Partner and the COLP across all aspects of their responsibilities internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Advising on all aspects of Risk & Compliance, including the SRA Code of Conduct, professional standards, ethics, conflicts, financial crime, AML, sanctions, client and third-party terms and conditions, supplier contracts, data protection and AI.
• Liaising with colleagues across the Risk & Compliance function, business services and fee-earning teams internationally.
• Developing and maintaining a strong understanding of the firm's policies, systems and processes.
• Identifying new or amended regulatory requirements and legal obligations affecting the firm's operations.
• Drafting and updating policies and procedures to reflect changes in regulatory requirements across the jurisdictions in which the firm operates.
• Maintaining registers and monitoring compliance.
• Supporting audits, training and other risk and compliance initiatives.
• Undertaking other ad hoc duties as required.

Key Skills & Experience

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales, ideally with 6–10 years' PQE.
• A minimum of three years' experience within the Risk function of an international law firm.
• Detailed knowledge of the SRA regulatory framework, particularly the Code of Conduct.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant areas of law and procedure, including:
• Contract, Tort, Financial crime / AML, Sanctions, Conflicts, Confidentiality, privilege and data protection
• Experience applying and advising on the above areas.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively and seek or delegate support where appropriate.
• Motivated, pragmatic and commercially minded.
• High levels of discretion, confidentiality and diplomacy.
• Willingness to travel internationally to undertake audits and training.
• Experience delivering training.
• Experience dealing with professional indemnity claims and complaints.