The Department

The Risk and Compliance Team works in collaboration with the business managing all aspects of the regulation to ensure best practice across the Firm. We are looking for someone with high attention to detail who prides themselves on providing an excellent service.

The role involves working with key internal stakeholders in a fast-paced environment where managing your time and the expectations of others is paramount. You will join a hardworking and fun team who work together to provide a high level of service to the Firm and its clients.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of this position involve handling all aspects of Conflicts and AML matter opening from start to finish. This will require conducting research and analysis, resolving straightforward cases and escalating complex ones as necessary. You will also be expected to guide junior members of the team and act as a role model in supporting their development. Additionally, you will be expected to lend your support to the General Counsel Team and the MLRO Team on various projects as needed.

Conflicts

• Conduct thorough conflict checks for new and existing clients and matters, ensuring comprehensive research and analysis across the firm.
• Manage conflict resolutions promptly and efficiently.
• Address and resolve conflicts, with a focus on those with complex results.
• Escalate intricate conflict issues to the Risk and Compliance team for further resolution.
• Serve as a mentor and escalation point for less experienced team members, providing training, support, and guidance.
• Evaluate conflict-related queries, ensuring previous clearances meet quality and control standards.
• Offer constructive feedback to management on process enhancements and team development.
• Facilitate ongoing training and professional development within the team.
• Act as a point of contact for conflict-related queries from various departments, including those queries at Partner level.
• Possess a robust understanding of the SRA's Conflicts of Interest regulations, particularly rules 6.1 to 6.5.
• Adhere to and enforce the firm's policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the ongoing refinement of the firm's conflict management procedures.

AML

• Work with the wider team in ensuring that the Firm's AML policies and procedures are being appropriately implemented to a high standard.
• Act as a point of escalation for junior members of the AML Team, offering training support and guidance.
• Supervise a small number of analysts, supporting their daily work and professional development.
• Work confidently with the business at all levels, providing expert AML advice during the matter opening process.
• Conduct in-depth AML checks identifying risk issues relevant to the client and matter, mitigating potential risks when possible and escalating any issues as required.
• Conduct thorough research utilising a range of databases, company registries, risk screening software and public sources.
• Maintain accurate records of all research and analysis conducted.
• Collect and evaluate due diligence information from both new and existing clients, in line with the Firm's AML policies, processes and relevant AML regulations and guidelines.
• Where necessary, conduct comprehensive Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) checks, taking into account the associated risks to determine the extent of the checks required.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of AML regulations, best practices and guidance.

Administration

• Ensure that all records, both paper and electronic, are filed and maintained to a high standard.
• Assisting in opening and maintaining client/matter files.
• Provide general administrative support to the team.
• Assist the management team with the delegation of tasks and responsibilities.
• Assist the management team in providing feedback on performance against team targets and KPI's
• Liaising with fee earners and staff in a timely, professional and courteous manner.
• Regularly, frequently and accurately maintaining and update correspondence and other filing.
• Maintaining confidentiality in respect of those matters which are commercially sensitive or secret and only share them with colleagues and others on a need to know basis who are themselves bound by an obligation of confidentiality.
• Liaising with other departments where required.

General

• To work to tight deadlines with a flexible attitude to working overtime on the few occasions when an urgent matter may require it.
• To maintain strict confidentiality in respect of those matters which are commercially sensitive or secret and only share them with colleagues and others on a need to know basis (who are themselves bound by an obligation of confidentiality).
• To be a positive role model to the R&C junior team members and help support them through induction and business change.

Skills/Experience

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a senior role, conducting conflict searches and AML enquiries within a legal environment.
• Degree-educated, with a preference for candidates holding the GDL and/or LPC.
• Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in Risk and Compliance.
• Proficient in identifying client due diligence requirements for both corporate and individual clients.
• Solid understanding of the SRA Standards and Regulations, especially Rule 6 (Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality).
• Keen to expand knowledge in various risk and compliance areas.
• Strong background in researching, analysing, and resolving conflicts of interest.
• Significant experience in managing complex AML and financial crime-related enquiries.
• Proven ability in addressing AML and financial crime issues with tailored solutions.
• High proficiency with Intapp and financial crime databases such as World Check.
• Familiarity with UK money laundering regulations and relevant regulatory guidance.
• Knowledge and experience in other compliance processes.
• Motivated to grow professionally in Risk and Compliance, with a readiness to broaden knowledge in the field.
• Dynamic, driven, and capable of working independently with discretion and confidentiality.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively manage own workload working independently and as part of a team.
• Personable and confident, able to build relationships with partners/ key stakeholders.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Adaptable and flexible approach.
• Pro-active and takes initiative.
• Ability to work with and manage confidential information.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

About The Mishcon de Reya Group

The Mishcon de Reya Group is an independent, international professional services business with law at its heart, employing over 1450 people with over 650 lawyers. It includes the law firm Mishcon de Reya LLP and a collection of leading consultancy businesses that complement the firm's legal services.

Mishcon de Reya LLP is based in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore and Hong Kong (through its association with Karas So LLP ). The firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply. Its work is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, spanning seven core practice areas: Corporate ; Dispute Resolution ; Employment ; Impact ; Innovation ; Private ; and Real Estate .

The Mishcon de Reya Group includes consultancy businesses MDR Discover , MDRi (in Hong Kong), MDR Mayfair (in London, Singapore and Dubai), MDR ONE and MDRx . The Group also includes MDR Lab , which invests in the most promising early stage legaltech companies as well as the Mishcon Academy, its in-house place of learning and platform for thought leadership.

Earlier this year, the Group announced its first strategic acquisition in the alternative legal services market, flexible legal resourcing business Flex Legal. It also acquired a majority stake in Somos, a global group actions management business.

We strive to create a fully diverse and inclusive workplace where all our people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We are proud of our agile working culture and are always happy to talk flexible working.

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