Financial Crime Lawyer

A leading international professional services group is seeking a Financial Crime Lawyer to join their highly respected Risk and Compliance team in London. This role offers the opportunity to become a trusted advisor, providing critical legal guidance on financial crime, sanctions, and complex internal investigations.

You will work closely with senior stakeholders across the business, including Partners, Lawyers, and leaders of operational and consultancy divisions, ensuring best practice and regulatory compliance throughout the firm. As the organisation continues its global expansion, you will be embedded within senior management, contributing to strategic initiatives and supporting a diverse range of projects. The firm is renowned for its cross-border, multi-jurisdictional work and commitment to an inclusive workplace where all employees are empowered to fulfil their potential. Flexible working opportunities are available, reflecting the firm's agile culture and dedication to employee wellbeing.

What you'll do:

• Provide escalation support and expert legal advice on all matters relating to financial crime, sanctions, anti-money laundering (AML), and internal investigations.
• Lead the management of sanctions risks across client onboarding processes and operational functions, ensuring robust compliance standards are maintained.
• Deliver input on policies, procedures, and assurance processes related to sanctions, anti-fraud, anti-bribery, and AML alongside the wider Risk & Compliance team.
• Oversee information requests, external and internal audits, as well as annual reporting requirements involving sanctions and broader financial crime issues.
• Collaborate with colleagues across business acceptance functions and wider Business Operations on risk and regulatory projects as required by senior management.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of training programmes regarding financial crime for staff across the firm, working closely with other stakeholders in the Risk team.
• Engage actively with the Business Acceptance team and Financial Crime Managers to provide specialist expertise and support when needed.
• Build effective relationships across the firm with key stakeholders to deliver high standards of advice and guidance on regulatory matters.
• Foster a collaborative team environment that supports knowledge sharing and delivers consistent guidance to the business.
• Review existing systems collaboratively with colleagues to devise strategies that enhance compliance practices throughout the organisation.

What you bring:

• Significant experience advising on compliance with sanctions laws and regulations within a law firm environment is essential for this position.
• Substantial knowledge of financial crime legislation—including anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-bribery—is required for success in this role.
• Experience in a financial crime-focused role within a law firm risk function is mandatory; prior involvement in new business acceptance escalations is valuable.
• Proven ability to supervise colleagues and manage teams effectively is highly desirable for fostering a supportive environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing internal investigations into complex AML, sanctions, or financial crime matters is advantageous.
• Qualified Solicitor status achieved through either traditional training contract or alternative qualification routes is necessary.
• Excellent drafting skills paired with meticulous attention to detail are crucial for producing high-quality legal documentation.
• Strong organisational skills enabling you to prioritise competing demands from commercial internal clients are important for this role.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills allow you to present yourself professionally while collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to review existing systems collaboratively and devise best strategies for enhancing compliance practices is expected.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates