Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,200 attorneys in 19 offices: 14 in the U.S., three in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow our staff exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth.
The Risk and Compliance Analyst will undertake a broad range of tasks primarily relating to conflicts and anti-money laundering (AML) processes such as client due diligence (CDD), risk assessments, monitoring and reporting, and running conflict of interest reports. This role requires risk-based analysis and decision making and proactive collection and validation of required information to support timely client on-boarding and matter processing in-line with regulatory requirements. You will be responsible for client on-boarding and matter processing, conducting periodic reviews and assisting senior management with other compliance activities as required.
Want more jobs like this?
Get Business Operations jobs in London, United Kingdom delivered to your inbox every week.
We are looking for a dynamic individual who is willing to utilise their experience in order to help build, develop and fine-tune best practice and culture across the London office commensurate to the risks faced and the areas of law we practice. Someone who is also keen to broaden their scope beyond AML/conflicts into other areas of risk management would also be preferred as we are at the early stages of implementation following SRA regulation.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Review and assess the AML and reputational risk associated with new client and matter requests.
- Interact with partners and fee earners and EAs to collect mandatory documentation required to complete CDD successfully, reviewing and verifying documentation received.
- Perform client due diligence and screening for PEPs, Sanctions, Adverse Media etc., utilising a number of trusted industry sources.
- Complete appropriate research in order to obtain a good understanding of a client's business and related parties in order to monitor client's activities for unusual transactions.
- Thoroughly document research and analysis completed on clients and/or matters in a manner suitable for review by internal and external stakeholders e.g. regulators, internal or external audit, or MLRO.
- Perform and review client and matter risk assessments and make risk-based decisions based on the analysis undertaken, escalating to senior management for approval as required.
- Provide AML advice and support to internal stakeholders: attorneys and EAs.
- Assisting in internal and external audits.
- Perform investigations where there are ML/CTF suspicions regarding clients and/or matters and escalate findings clearly and concisely for internal review by the, MLCO and MLRO.
- Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders: members, attorneys, EAs, Matter Management, New Business & Conflicts, MLCO, MLRO.
- Act as a point of contact for the Firm's central New Business & Conflicts team and other internal teams in order to resolve challenges with matter opening timely and efficiently.
- Periodically evaluate existing clients working with members and attorneys in order to keep CDD and risk assessments on client files up to date.
- Assist with any other compliance related matters or projects as identified and assigned by the Head of International Risk & Compliance.
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
- Experience with either LLB or CILEX qualification preferred.
- Experience working in a US headquartered law firm preferred.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to meet tight deadlines while delivering first-class service.
- Proven ability to build and develop stakeholder relationships.
- Strong understanding of anti-money laundering requirements and related financial crime risks relevant to a law firm.
- Experience using third-party providers to run searches in connection with AML and conflicts; experience with AML/KYC/Due Diligence processes and systems.
- Experience with AML monitoring and screening.
- Extensive knowledge of UK and US conflicts rules.
- Experience working with an EU office desirable.
- Ability to maintain composure when faced with competing demands.
- Excellent attention to detail and maintenance of records.
- Proficient in the use of MS office.
- Collaborating with stakeholders in different offices across different time zones.
We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package. Visit our website here. Equal Opportunity Employer.