Business Acceptance Lawyer / Advisor

About the job

We are looking for a talented Business Acceptance Lawyer/Advisor to join our dynamic Inhouse Legal Department in London.

Working as part of a global Business Acceptance team this is a fantastic opportunity to work at the heart of an elite global law firm where you will play a key role in helping to navigate complex legal, regulatory, reputational, and commercial risks. You will be part of a collaborative global team working at the forefront of the client and matter onboarding process.

About Us

Freshfields is a leading international law firm committed to excellence and innovation. Our Legal Department plays a vital role in the firm's success, comprising both qualified lawyers and non-lawyers. We manage the firm’s risk exposure and provide critical advice on a broad spectrum of legal and compliance issues. Our mission is to support the firm in the effective management of regulatory, legal, operational, and information security risks, thereby preserving and maximising the firm's long-term value.

The global Business Acceptance team focuses on client and matter selection, conflicts of interest, client confidentiality, anti-money laundering, sanctions, and reputational risks. We operate in a fast-paced, collaborative, and supportive environment where analytical thinking, commercial acumen, and strong communication skills are essential.

Role Purpose

As a Business Acceptance Lawyer / Advisor you will play a crucial role in helping to shape the firm's internal risk processes in the London office and globally, focusing on conflicts of interest, anti-money laundering, and compliance with jurisdictional regulations such as the SRA Code of Conduct.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advice on conflicts, AML, and broader risk issues across all jurisdictions where the firm operates.
• Conduct in-depth analysis on potential conflicts of interest and manage client confidentiality.
• Draft consent wording and establish information barriers.
• Complete client and matter due diligence and reputational risk assessments.
• Monitor existing clients in line with CDD policies.
• Identify and assess sanctions risks.
• Support policy development and ensure consistent compliance practices.
• Respond to queries on legislation, regulation, and firm policies.
• Deliver training and act as a technical escalation point for analysts.

Requirements

• Qualified lawyer or experienced risk/compliance professional with experience advising on conflicts of interest, anti-money laundering (AML) and regulatory compliance within an international law firm.
• Strong legal knowledge and understanding of the ethical rules and regulatory frameworks governing AML and conflicts analysis in a global law firm context.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and concisely

The Ideal Candidate

• Confident, diplomatic, and proactive.
• Detail-oriented and consistent in routine compliance tasks.
• Interested in current affairs and their potential impact on a global law firm and its clients.
• A reliable team player with a flexible, can-do attitude.
• Able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities without compromising quality
• Committed to delivering a first-class service to internal clients.
• A team player who is hardworking, maintains perspective and has a healthy sense of humour.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.