Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Senior In-House Lawyer - Regulation and Conduct to join our London office.  The role of the Senior In-House Lawyer is to be a trusted adviser to the business, providing high quality, proactive business-focused support and solutions to colleagues on a variety of regulatory, compliance and professional conduct issues. It requires an individual with the ability to develop strong working relationships in order to lead, and participate in strategic projects as well as handling day-to-day queries from stakeholders of all levels, including the Board and Board sub-committees. The role also includes some team management responsibilities.

The Regulation and Conduct team (the Team) is part of A&O Shearman’s wider risk function (headed by partner, Simon Fuge). The risk function comprises the Team, In-House Legal (IHL), the Business Acceptance Unit (the BAU), Risk Operations, Office of the General Counsel (OGC), the Engagement Terms Team, Client Audit and Data Privacy.

The Team is responsible for championing and sustaining a firm-wide culture of legal, regulatory and ethical compliance. This includes:

• advising on the overarching legal, regulatory and ethical standards applicable to A&O Shearman and its employees, with a particular focus on the requirements of A&O Shearman’s lead regulator, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (the SRA)
• overseeing A&O Shearman’s implementation of regulatory reform such as the introduction of BRAO in Germany and the SRA Solicitors Qualifying Examination
• advising on the regulatory implications of proposed changes to the A&O Shearman group structure
• the application of SRA and other regulators' rules to A&O Shearman's activities and to the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in practice
• advising on legal and regulatory notification and reporting requirements, including SRA and AML reporting requirements and obligations to report to other legal and financial conduct regulators
• creating directories of global regulatory requirements, including international practising rights and regulatory reporting obligations
• developing and overseeing A&O Shearman’s regulatory compliance strategy for business mobility - addressing the risks arising from short-term business travel, temporary cross-border remote working and longer term practising arrangements and secondments
• investigation of potential conduct issues
• advising on issues arising out of A&O Shearman’s vetting/background checking policy
• designing and implementing global AML compliance systems and procedures
• developing and delivering A&O Shearman's global risk training modules (in person and online), including anti-bribery and corruption, economic crime, professional ethics, social media, business travel compliance  
• the development and roll out of global risk management policies
• leading global risk management projects including an annual global compliance survey
• decision-making and ultimate responsibility for discharge of a number of key statutory and regulatory roles including Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP).  Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO), Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and FCA Compliance Officer

Role and responsibilities

• Providing clear, proactive advice and support and creative, business-focussed solutions to key stakeholders
• Being a trusted advisor and providing expertise on a wide range of regulatory issues, with a particular focus on compliance with A&O Shearman’s global policies and the SRA Standards and Regulations, practising rights, business mobility, global professional ethics and conduct, and AML requirements
• Advising the Board and Risk Committee on key regulatory developments and challenges and how to meet them
• Leading and participating in multi-jurisdictional regulatory projects within agreed timescales
• Maintaining awareness of, and communicating regulatory developments to colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate
• Conducting and reporting on investigations relating to matters of professional conduct
• Developing know-how, strategic direction and effective working practices for the Team and the wider firm
• Working collaboratively with other teams within the risk function in order to provide a seamless service to colleagues
• Legal research, drafting, reviewing and amending documentation, especially policies relating to compliance and ethics
• Supervision of junior colleagues while providing them with freedom and flexibility to made decisions and take ownership
• Actively promoting an ethical, inclusive and diverse working environment

Key requirements

• Qualified solicitor (preferably E&W) with a minimum of 6 years’ PQE in regulatory law
• Previous experience of multi-jurisdictional risk management and compliance in an international law firm, or similar profession operating through complex legal structures
• Strong technical knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks, particularly in relation to SRA requirements
• Strong analytical, research and presentation skills
• A clear business-focus with an ability to foster strong working relationships with stakeholders of all levels
• Confident communicator with proven ability to influence others and be a trusted advisor
• A self-motivator with desire and ability to set strategic direction and operational activities for the Team 
• Creative, persistent and resourceful in overcoming obstacles to meet conflicting deadlines and maintain quality
• Collaborative team player, willing and able to lead by example
• Expertise in providing training in person and developing courses for global dissemination through various delivery channels

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 our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any 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.

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.

We recognise 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.

Additional information - External

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with 47 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.