Premier, global, law firm

Risk & Compliance Lawyer – US Regional Manager

Department: Risk & Compliance Department. This department, made up largely of qualified lawyers, exists to manage the firm’s risk exposure and to provide advice to the partners on a range of legal and compliance issues.

Role Summary/Purpose of Job

• Acting as a senior member of the firm’s global Risk & Compliance Department (R&C). Participating in that capacity in a range of R&C initiatives and in the management of the department as a whole.
• Being R&C’s most senior advisor on US law and ethics issues and as such a ‘go-to’ person for other members of the department, partners and staff requiring relevant assistance wherever they are based.
• Being individually responsible for advice delivered by New York based R&C staff, whether that advice is provided to recipients in the US or elsewhere.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

Part of a team providing advice on operational legal, regulatory and risk issues covering the operations of the firm in all jurisdictions. The role holder will:

• Take primary responsibility for dealing with conflicts (and associated confidentiality) queries arising in relation to work to be taken on in the US and those queries processed by US based staff related to work outside the US.
• Answer or supervise responses to queries from partners and staff at all levels across the firm regarding relevant US law and ethics and the firm’s policies and procedures in the risk and compliance area as a whole.
• With the local Risk Partner, OMP, local colleagues and other members of R&C, develop and implement risk and compliance processes, procedures and training in the US to meet local needs and as part of firmwide programs and initiatives.
• Provide day to day management of the NY based R&C team, ensuring the team is motivated and engaged and providing services promptly, consistently and to a very high standard.
• Assist as a senior staff member with R&C firmwide or departmental projects, for example, the firm’s antibribery and corruption project or the R&C department’s engagement initiative.
• Maintain a close working relationship with other members of the department so that the R&C department operates in a uniform manner in relation to issues pertaining to its US practice wherever the person providing the advice in question is based and vice versa. To this end the role holder will be expected to participate in team calls and video conferences and in the department’s secondment program intended to underpin relationships and consistency by taking part in a short term (2-3 consecutive weeks) secondment to the London office every 12-18 months.
• Assist with the administration, monitoring and maintenance of policies and procedures and ensure risk and related issues are dealt with consistently.

Key Requirements

• The role will suit a qualified lawyer with at least 3 years’ experience working as an attorney within a leading commercial practice in the US.
• Requires a comprehensive knowledge of New York and DC bar rules and other rules and guidelines applicable to the practice of commercial law on an international basis from New York or DC. Over time the person fulfilling the post will be required to assimilate and become expert in laws and procedures relevant to the firm’s practice as a whole, such as the conflicts rules applicable in various EU countries, and anti-money laundering and antibribery and corruption rules and procedures. It is to be expected that the later will be acquired on the job but a keenness to learn and to keep abreast of relevant rules and procedure is vital.  A high level of IT skills is essential and must include familiarity with applications such as Word, Outlook and Excel. Web-based and general research skills essential.

Competencies

• Must possess a combination of confidence, presence and a diplomatic manner. Must be able to influence and liaise with all levels of both legal and support staff to assist with the resolution of issues including being able to deliver difficult messages on occasion.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills. Used to working to very high standards of accuracy and efficiency, but balanced with a practical, common sense approach and the ability to provide accurate and concise legal advice in a commercial context.
• A good people person who others respect and enjoy working with. Must be able to inspire and lead a small team in NY and to work seamlessly as a senior member of a global department.
• A positive can do attitude, enthusiasm and the ability to perform, and to remain calm, under pressure. Must be able to prioritize and to multi task effectively.
• The ability to grasp relevant issues quickly and to understand the commercial context of complex conflict and regulatory issues unassisted, but balanced with an understanding of when it is appropriate to escalate matters (either to local experts or within the team).
• Must display confidence and a willingness to take ownership of difficult and unfamiliar issues. This will involve displaying initiative and an ability to plan what action needs to be taken to move issues forward.
• Willingness to share work with the rest of the department and to work out of hours as needed to serve the requirements of the global firm.  Excellent drafting skills, close attention to detail and a meticulous approach to maintaining concise, up to date and accurate records of matters dealt with and advice provided.