Job description

We are currently recruiting for a qualified lawyer with senior level experience of working in an international business acceptance team in the areas of AML and sanctions compliance to join our London office as an In-House Lawyer on a 12 month fixed term contract.

In-House Lawyers within our Business Acceptance Unit (BAU) team take a lead role in analysing and resolving the most complex issues in the areas of financial crime and sanctions, as well as enhancing and developing processes and procedures to ensure a first class service is provided to our partners and clients.

Role and responsibilities

• Liaising with the existing BAU Managers, Senior Analysts and BAU team management in relation to the allocation of resources within the team to ensure the BAU’s processes in these areas run as smoothly and efficiently as possible and that workload is managed and completed in a timely way.
• In conjunction with the existing BAU Managers, assisting with the day-to-day management of those members of the BAU team focused on AML and sanctions compliance.
• Working closely with and supporting the Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions and UK MLCO and MLRO to implement enhancements and changes to the BAU’s processes in respect of AML compliance to ensure the strategic objective for the firm’s global AML compliance is achieved and monitoring the same on an ongoing basis.
• Analysing and resolving (or, where appropriate, facilitating resolution of) professional, legal, regulatory and commercial issues relating to business acceptance and client engagement in the areas of financial crime and sanctions, which are referred by the BAU analyst and legal teams, by partners and by all other levels of lawyer and support staff (to include anti-money laundering client ID issues, reputational and suitability issues and sanctions questions).
• Being a senior contact point for local MLROs globally in relation to the BAU team’s processes and procedures.
• Monitoring changes in practice, professional rules, regulations and the law as affects financial crime and sanctions globally and escalating any proposed adjustments/enhancements to the Heads of Business Acceptance Unit and Financial Crime & Sanctions for consideration.
• Assisting and supporting the MLCO and Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions in ensuring that firm and BAU policy and procedure in the areas of financial crime and sanctions, including client ID checks, meet applicable requirements and that the process is as efficient and streamlined as possible, whilst remaining thorough and rigorous.
• Helping to develop and refine internal databases and evaluating external databases of information / services for use in the business acceptance process, particularly technological solutions in the area of AML compliance.
• Helping in the design of and taking day-to-day responsibility for the management of major financial crime and sanctions projects (e.g. introduction of new technological solutions and processes, sanctions matter records sweeps, group lateral hires, client re-identification and AML data deletion).
• Assisting in the design, implementation and delivery of training for the BAU team and fee earners in the areas of financial crime and sanctions, particularly anti-money laundering compliance.
• Supporting the Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions with and helping to manage the day-to-day aspects of the recruitment processes in relation to vacancies in the BAU team.
• Where requested, representing the BAU in the areas of financial crime and sanctions at cross-departmental and external meetings.
• Supporting the AML Regulation Manager in responding to regulatory audit requests relating to AML compliance, including working with the Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions to ensure any post-audit recommendations implemented.
• Assisting with anti-money laundering compliance audits commissioned by Allen & Overy.
• Assisting with the day-to-day aspects of the process for ongoing client and counterparty screening using the Accuity software, including helping the Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions in refining and further developing the use of that technology.
• Providing regular reports and updates of team workload to BAU team management.
• Being flexible in undertaking the above responsibilities and any others so required.

Key requirements

• Strong academic background.
• Must be a qualified solicitor.
• Existing senior level experience of work and responsibilities of an international BAU team in the areas of AML and sanctions compliance.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of BAU systems and processes in the areas of AML and sanctions compliance.
• Ability to analyse facts and scenarios thoroughly (and yet quickly) and to proactively put forward resolutions to problems.
• Top-level task management and organisational skills and a proven ability to manage multiple tasks under time pressure.
• Strong communicator with a proven ability to motivate others and communicate positively and effectively with team members, fee earners and support staff.
• Authority and credibility to inspire confidence in and lead team members.
• Some experience of and an interest in further developing people management and mentoring skills.
• Willingness to work hard and to take day-to-day responsibility for the BAU’s workload and key processes in the areas of AML and sanctions compliance.
• Enthusiastic, positive-minded, self-motivated and pro-active.
• Possessing a “can do” approach with an ability to solve problems and look beyond practical and logistical challenges by suggesting solutions and implementing them.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of Allen & Overy’s recruitment team who will work with you to provide any reasonable adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

At Allen & Overy, we recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Allen & Overy recognises the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together. If you would like additional flexibility we will of course consider this in line with business needs.

Additional information - External

Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. We work on some of the most challenging and important deals and disputes and have built a reputation for delivering exceptional legal solutions that help our clients grow, innovate and thrive. Our business teams work hand-in-hand with our lawyers, Consultants and other specialist teams, and are ambitious, driven and leaders in their field. The legal industry is changing, and we're committed to leading that change by putting our people first, embracing new ways of thinking and integrating technology into our everyday work.

We’re on an exciting journey to create an even stronger offering for our clients and our people: In May 2023, we announced our proposed merger with Shearman and Sterling, with the intention of becoming a new global leader named Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, A&O Shearman for short.

With a shared commitment to attracting and retaining the best people and an equal focus on creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, we’re confident that this merger will further our efforts to leave a better firm for future generations as well as providing our people with exceptional career opportunities along the way.

Once complete, the merger will combine two of the world’s most prestigious law firms, leaders in their respective markets, to create an integrated global elite firm. You can read more about this on our dedicated microsite https://www.announcingaoss.com/.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. We provide challenge, support and a place for you to belong. And together we excel, working on meaningful projects of global significance.