Risk & Compliance Specialist

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; United States; Remote; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established international law firm is seeking a Risk & Compliance Analyst to join their dynamic team. This role provides a unique opportunity to engage with critical compliance functions, ensuring adherence to ethical and legal standards. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and communication skills, with a background in compliance or legal settings. Enjoy the flexibility of full remote work while contributing to a team that values collaboration and excellence in service. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are eager to make a significant impact, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in compliance or legal settings.
• Experience with conflict applications and financial crime compliance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct conflict checks and corporate research on prospective clients.
• Assist with Client Due Diligence (CDD) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Research Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Multitasking

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Intapp Open

Compliance Catalyst

S&P

BVD/Orbis

Microsoft Office

Job description

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers across the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Risk & Compliance Analyst in the Risk & Compliance Services department, reporting to the (Senior) Risk & Compliance Manager.

The Risk & Compliance Services department offers a unique perspective into the law firm and plays a critical role in its daily operations. As a part of the General Counsel’s Office, the team is responsible for vetting prospective representations and ensuring compliance with:

• ethical and legal duties to avoid conflicts of interest;
• financial crime legislation, including anti-money laundering laws and sanctions;
• professional responsibility obligations.

This position allows for full remote work, with candidates residing in California, Texas, Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, or Connecticut.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting conflict checks and corporate research on prospective clients using the firm’s conflict application and third-party research tools; summarizing findings for attorneys.
• Assisting with Client Due Diligence (CDD), including Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks, especially for lower-risk, listed, or regulated clients.
• Processing requests related to client onboarding, matter maintenance, third-party payors, contract attorneys, and lateral hires to identify conflicts, sanctions, PEP connections, and reputational or financial risks.
• Responding to communications from attorneys, paralegals, and secretaries.
• Managing correspondence, outside counsel guidelines, vendor questionnaires, and engagement letters, including facilitating approvals and ensuring execution via DocuSign or other methods.
• Handling matter disposition for departing attorneys and the firm’s audit responses.
• Performing additional tasks as assigned by the Risk & Compliance Managers or Director.

Qualifications include:

• At least two years of relevant work experience, preferably with attorneys or partners at an international law firm.
• Preferably, one year of experience in conflicts of interest, financial crime, or compliance.
• Flexibility to adjust working hours to meet business needs.
• Experience onboarding clients and matters using conflict applications like Intapp Open and research tools such as Compliance Catalyst, S&P, or BVD/Orbis.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and multitasking skills in a high-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, fostering a positive team environment.
• Analytical skills to assess situations and data objectively, making sound judgments.
• Excellent research, synthesis, and communication skills.
• Commitment to customer service and internal service standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn new systems quickly.

The salary range in California and New York is $50,000 to $75,000 annually.