Financial Crime Lawyer - Elite Global Law Firm

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Financial Crime lawyer to join the London office of a prestigious global law firm. You will take a key leadership role in shaping and driving the firm’s financial crime compliance programme across the UK and Europe, with direct exposure to senior stakeholders and high-profile matters.

Why Apply?

Strategic leadership: lead the firm’s financial crime compliance agenda across the UK and Europe, working closely with senior partners and the MLRO.

High-level visibility: advise on complex, cross-border financial crime issues at one of the world’s most respected law firms.

Supportive and collaborative culture: join a well-established, dynamic compliance team with strong leadership support and ongoing investment in compliance excellence.

Highly attractive six-figure salary: reflecting the firm’s commitment to attracting and retaining top compliance talent.

This role offers the opportunity to shape policies, influence firm-wide training and best practice, and provide strategic advice to partners and senior management. You will also support regulatory engagement, develop the team, and contribute to broader compliance initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the financial crime compliance programme across UK and European offices.
• Advise partners and staff on AML, sanctions, bribery, fraud, tax evasion, market abuse, and related risks.
• Support the MLRO with SAR preparation, submission, and regulatory liaison.
• Develop, implement, and maintain financial crime policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
• Monitor regulatory changes and ensure compliance frameworks remain current and effective.
• Conduct internal audits and manage preparation for regulatory reviews and inspections.
• Approve high-risk client and matter onboarding decisions.
• Design and deliver engaging financial crime training across relevant offices.
• Line manage and mentor team members, including the Compliance Manager.

This role would suit a qualified lawyer (5+ PQE) with significant experience in financial crime compliance, gained in an international or top-tier City law firm. You will bring deep expertise across the full spectrum of financial crime risks and regulations, with proven experience advising on complex matters and managing regulatory requirements in a law firm environment.

You will have excellent drafting, advisory, and stakeholder management skills, combined with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach. Strong leadership capability and the ability to influence at all levels of the business are essential, as is the ability to manage priorities and contribute to a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

This is a superb opportunity for an ambitious and experienced compliance professional to step into a leadership role within a highly respected global law firm. You will have the chance to drive the financial crime compliance strategy across key European markets, shape best practice, and contribute to a positive and engaged compliance culture, while benefiting from a highly attractive six-figure salary and excellent career development opportunities.