Senior Officer, General Counsel & Risk - 12 month FTC

Practice Group / Department:

Job Description

We're Norton Rose Fulbright - a global law firm with over 50 offices and 7,000 employees worldwide. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. At Norton Rose Fulbright, our strategy and our culture are closely entwined. We know that our expansion will mean little unless it is underpinned by truly global collaboration and we understand that pioneering work only takes place when our people have room to move and think beyond boundaries. As well as the relevant skills and experience, we're looking for people who are innovative, commercial and value the work that they do. 

We are seeking a Senior Officer, to join the General Counsel & Risk Team based in London, on a fixed term contract, whose primary area of focus will be on Client & Matter Intake . As well as relevant skills and experience, we are looking for people who are innovative, commercial and value the work they do. We believe diversity drives innovation and we are building a culture where difference is valued.

The EMEAPAC Team

The General Counsel & Risk team supports 30 EMEAPAC offices and comprises over 60 people based in London, Newcastle, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. The teams work closely, dealing with client and matter inception, client terms negotiation, AML, financial crime, sanctions and general regulatory advice. Globally NRF has member firms in USA, Canada and South Africa.

The Role

The role will report to a Risk Advisor.  All General Counsel & Risk officers work on a roster providing support to a later shift (2pm – 10pm shift) to cover time zones Monday to Friday.

The team screens new business acceptance for the Firm’s EMEAPAC region for a variety of risks including Legal, Contractual and Commercial Conflicts and Confidentiality Management / Risk Analysis :

• Managing higher risk conflict queries: undertaking conflict searches, analysing reports, recommending courses of action to senior management and pushing issues to resolution
• An understanding of the Firm’s key strategic objectives, ensuring that new business intake is in line with the global strategy of the Firm and compliant with our existing client base from a legal and commercial standpoint.
• Liaising with and assisting the Compliance Teams at Norton Rose Fulbright Member Firms in Canada, USA and South Africa in conjunction with potential conflicts.
• Providing training support and on-going assistance to General Counsel & Risk Officers in resolving conflict issues
• Acting as a point of escalation between General Counsel & Risk Officers and Lawyers; providing recommendations and first draft advice on key risk issues
• Ensuring that fee earners are kept up to date on the resolution of their conflict issues.
• Communicating policy updates, training and key business updates to General Counsel & Risk Officers.
• Advising partners, lawyers and staff on the Firm’s policies and procedures
• Provide critical analysis of Risk assessments on matters (including on matters in high risk jurisdictions).
• Recommendations to the Head of Compliance and senior management as to whether a high risk matter should be accepted by the Firm

Other tasks

• Explaining to fee earners and PAs how to comply with the various regulatory requirements and Firm policies
• Guiding and training fee earners and PAs on the use of compliance systems
• Supporting the Senior Risk & Compliance Manager and Head of Compliance with various other compliance related tasks as required

Skills and Experience Required

• Have an interest in Risk and Compliance with a key interest in developing knowledge of commercial, political and risk issues affecting our business
• Ability to successfully interact with senior management and partners
• Advanced computer skills and technological awareness
• Excellent workload and project management and great organisational skills
• Team player, and ability to work well with all levels of staff
• Excellent aptitude for research and familiarity with online research tools
• Ability to draft clearly and explain complex issues; excellent written and oral communication skills
• Accuracy and an eye for detail
• Sound commercial and risk judgement
• Flexibility and ability to think of ‘outside of the box’ solutions
• At least 2 years’ experience working in a compliance / legal function.
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed to serve the requirements of the global firm
• Law degree or other relevant qualifications (desirable)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

To attract the best people, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, have a sense of belonging, and realize their full career potential. 
Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our people’s health and overall wellbeing. Find more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any tailored adjustments or accommodations, please let us know here.