Senior Legal Counsel, Risk, Compliance & Ethics

Steptoe LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Steptoe LLP seeks an Assistant General Counsel to serve as a trusted advisor to the General Counsel and firm leadership. The role focuses on identifying, evaluating, and managing legal, ethical, regulatory, and firm risk while providing practical, business-focused guidance.

You will counsel on conflicts, confidentiality, privilege, and professional responsibility; negotiate and draft key agreements; handle sensitive investigations; and collaborate with HR and IT on policy, privacy, and training

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and must be licensed and in good standing in the District of Columbia.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably including law firm counsel and risk management.
• Strong working knowledge of legal ethics and professional responsibility with ability to analyze conflicts and risk.
• Experience independently managing sensitive legal matters, conducting legal research, and advising senior stakeholders.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills; ability to translate complex issues into actionable guidance.
• Discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential and privileged information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced professional services environment and collaborate across offices.

Responsibilities

• Advise the General Counsel and firm leadership on legal, ethics, regulatory, compliance, and risk matters.
• Provide counsel on conflicts, confidentiality, privilege, and related professional responsibility issues.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial and operational agreements.
• Manage and respond to claims, subpoenas, investigations, and other legal processes.
• Conduct or support privileged internal investigations and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with People Operations on employment-related legal matters.
• Coordinate with Information Security on data privacy and cybersecurity issues.
• Monitor developments in professional responsibility rules and firm policies.
• Develop training and guidance on ethics and compliance for lawyers and staff.
• Maintain privileged matter records and report status to the General Counsel.

Skills

Legal ethics

Conflicts of interest

Negotiation

Drafting

Risk management

Investigations

Data privacy

Training

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

Steptoe LLP seeks an Assistant General Counsel to serve as a trusted advisor to the General Counsel and firm leadership. The role focuses on identifying, evaluating, and managing legal, ethical, regulatory, and firm risk while providing practical, business-focused guidance.

You will counsel on conflicts, confidentiality, privilege, and professional responsibility; negotiate and draft key agreements; handle sensitive investigations; and collaborate with HR and IT on policy, privacy, and training