Risk Lawyer - London

CMS are recruiting for an experienced Risk Lawyer to join our Risk and Compliance team in London. 

About us

CMS is a Future Facing firm with more than 80 offices in over 45 countries and 5,800+ lawyers worldwide. We combine deep local market understanding with a global perspective. We are passionate about building strong relationships with our clients, our people, and the communities we work in.

We take a bold, dynamic, and agile approach to ensure our clients are able to face the future with confidence. We are driven by emerging technologies such as generative AI and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of working.  Our aim is to inspire, impact and support our clients and our people, helping them to maximize their potential and thrive.

About the role

This role is a great opportunity for the right candidate to make a real contribution towards the shape and vision of this forward-thinking Department. 
The role supports the Head of Risk/Senior Risk Manager in identifying and managing the firm’s regulatory, compliance and professional risks.
•    Responding to a wide range of compliance queries raised by fee earners and business support departments (“internal clients”)
•    Respond to general risk queries on the interpretation and application of the SRA Code of Conduct
•    Providing advice on data protection queries, data breaches and DSARs
•    Providing support to internal clients on general compliance matters such as share dealing, confidentiality obligations, outside interests, anti-bribery and corruption
•    Assisting with auditor, third party reliance, secondment and supplier documents
•    Advise internal clients on the use of engagement letters and terms of business, including key provisions such as, conflict wavier language, confidentiality, limitation of liability
•    Amending existing policies and procedures or drafting new ones
•    Review and advise on client terms, working closely with the Risk Department’s Contract Lawyers
•    Deliver firm-wide training on compliance and risk issues so that internal clients are kept up to date with the firm's policies and procedures as well as understanding their personal responsibilities
•    Assisting with internal risk assessments, audits and investigations
•    Assisting with data protection issues, such as data breaches and subject access requests
•    Reviewing client file requests in accordance with firm protocol
•    Maintain and improve systems, processes, procedures, policies and team guidance
•    Acting as a point of contact on regulatory risk issues from the wider new business intake teams, including Conflicts, AML and Matter Administration
•    Advise internal clients on any relevant risk and compliance issues associated with the taking on of new business
•    Monitor developments in relevant law, regulation, policy and market practice
•    Assisting the Head of Risk/Senior Risk Manager with various strategic risk projects from time to time and the firm’s General Counsels
•    Building the profile of the Risk Department within CMS UK

About you

We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you to thrive in your role from day one.  Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants, so to be considered for this role you must meet the following skills and experience:
Qualified lawyer – 5 years PQE
•    Experience of working in an international commercial law environment
•    Knowledge of the SRA code of Conduct
•    Data Protection experience
•    Contract review experience 
•    Excellent research and analytical experience
•    Discrete and professional as the information will be confidential and sensitive
•    Flexible and able to adapt to new situations, processes and technology. 
•    Proactive, resilient and calm under pressure
•    Ability to handle conflicts and difficult queries with diplomacy and tact
•    Able to demonstrate structured critical thinking skills
•    Sound judgement and analytical skills
•    Clear and efficient communication skills

What’s in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:

•    Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
•    Flexible, hybrid working policy
•    Generous bonus scheme
•    Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
•    Holiday exchange scheme
•    Private medical insurance
•    Enhanced parental leave
•    Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Equal opportunities

At CMS, we place diversity and inclusion at the centre of our culture and the heart of our organisation. As a firm we recognise, celebrate, and embrace the diverse talent our society has to offer because we know that to solve big problems, we need the best and brightest minds available to us.  In support of this goal, we commit to actively breaking down barriers which stand in the way of those from diverse backgrounds and play our part in levelling the playing field. 
 
As a Future Facing Firm, we strongly believe that a career in law should be open to people from all walks of life, because not only does diversity of thought and experience make our firm a stronger and more sustainable business, but it also makes it a more rewarding place to work.
 
When recruiting, we prioritise attracting talented people and we actively promote a flexible working environment which enables all our team members to thrive. If you see a role you are interested in, but don’t feel you meet 100% of the criteria we encourage you to still consider making an application. We also welcome applications from those who may be looking to return to the workforce after a career break. 
 
We are proud to say our leadership in creating an inclusive working culture has been celebrated and recognised externally, including being listed for a number of years in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women and the Social Mobility Index.
 
We are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer, and we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment process and in every element of the employee life cycle. If you require assistance, or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements or adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Talent Acquisition team at TalentAcquisition@cms-cmno.com who will be happy to support you.

Ready to apply? Here are the next steps.

We look forward to receiving your application online via the CMS careers site. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions. 

Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.

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