Financial Crime & Sanctions Lawyer

This is an exciting oppoortunity to work for a leading law firm who operate globally and are nationally recgonised as the UK's leading practice!

They are seeking for an Associate with 3+ years experience in financial crime and sanctions to join their expanding team based in London.

The role sits within the FCS team and focuses on advising the firm on a wide range of financial crime issues across the firm's global business, with a particular focus on Anti-Money Laundering (AML).

The Role

• The role involves undertaking technical, judgment and decision based work to ensure a robust financial crime environment is maintained and relevant financial crime controls are effective.
• Providing solutions to AML/CDD queries from the BAU for complex and high risk clients/matters, such as the involvement of: Politically Exposed Persons; high risk jurisdictions; high risk industries; complex structures/multiple layers; sanctions issues; adverse media, etc.
• Providing the relevant approvals in accordance with the referrals/escalation procedure and assisting with potential reporting considerations.
• Engaging and influencing partners, fee earners and other stakeholders on financial crime compliance and strategy including all elements of the Firm's file opening/CDD processes, procedures (including Source of Funds and Wealth) and the review of AML risk issues.
• Responding to various Regulatory requests/audits across the Firm's global practice, such as annual regulatory returns, MLRO Reports, etc.
• Supporting the submission of Suspicious Activity Reports to the National Crime Agency under the supervision of the MLRO/Deputy MLRO.
• Advising on bribery and corruption queries, reviewing client ABC terms and policy statements and escalating to the ABC Officer, as appropriate.

The personal qualities required for the role include:

• Minimum of 3 years experience working in a corporate, financial crime / AML advisory role in an International Law Firm or within banking/financial services.
• Extensive knowledge and technical experience of relevant regulation and legislation such as the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended); UN/EU/UK/US and other applicable sanctions regimes; and relevant sectoral AML guidance such as the Legal Sector Affinity Group or JMLSG.
• Deep understanding of risk and the regulatory framework, preferably with an ICA or equivalent diploma in AML /financial crime.
• Ability to use own initiative and apply appropriate judgement, escalating issues as required, with a proven ability to respond quickly to urgent queries, meet deadlines and deliver results.
• Ability to influence partners and senior management and to communicate persuasively in person, by telephone and in writing.
• Expert knowledge of: CDD and matter risk requirements, with a particular focus on high risk clients/matters and complex corporate/trust structures; and, the reporting regime.
• Excellent IT skills. Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email and Internet usage.

If you are interested in this position, and you meet the requirements of the role, please click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your resume, cover letter transcript and writing sample. Alternatively, if you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Kean Smith for a confidential discussion.

Our advertisements use salary and experience as a guide only. Interlink Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer.

*Please Note: Due to the high volume of applications we are currently receiving we are unable to contact applicants who have been unsuccessful