Lead Counsel, Asia Risk & Compliance

0400 FBD USA LLP; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Freshfields is seeking a Managing Lawyer to lead the Asia Business Acceptance team, advising on complex business acceptance, regulatory and commercial risk across Asia. You will support risk-based decision-making for partners, lawyers and service teams, and mentor the Asia team while driving process improvements and governance initiatives.

This is a senior regional leadership role with cross-border scope. This role provides visibility across Asia and the global Legal Department, enabling

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer or senior risk professional with strong experience in legal, regulatory, risk or compliance matters.
• Confident advising senior stakeholders on complex, sensitive and time-critical issues.
• Collaborative leader with experience managing, mentoring and developing teams.

Responsibilities

• Advise on complex business acceptance matters, including conflicts, confidentiality, client due diligence, AML, sanctions, reputational risk and engagement terms.
• Provide legal, regulatory and governance support across Asia, including policy, guidance, training, regulatory developments and emerging risk issues.
• Act as a trusted technical adviser and escalation point for complex, novel or sensitive risk matters.
• Lead, manage and develop the Asia Business Acceptance team, promoting consistency, collaboration and best practice.
• Contribute to strategic, operational and technology-enabled initiatives, including process improvement, automation, data and responsible AI adoption.

Skills

Leadership

Advisory

Regulatory risk

Stakeholder management

Drafting

Education

Law degree

Job description

Freshfields is seeking a Managing Lawyer to lead the Asia Business Acceptance team, advising on complex business acceptance, regulatory and commercial risk across Asia. You will support risk-based decision-making for partners, lawyers and service teams, and mentor the Asia team while driving process improvements and governance initiatives.

This is a senior regional leadership role with cross-border scope. This role provides visibility across Asia and the global Legal Department, enabling