Job Description

What we will offer

If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact hr.recruitment@shlegal.com or call 020 7809 2711

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

Team Structure

The Firm is looking to develop its Risk Management team. The team provides risk management support to the Firm (including the international offices) to ensure that it, along with its partners and employees, adhere to the legal and regulatory frameworks within which they operate. The team reports to the Head of Legal & Regulatory Risk.

Main Responsibilities

This varied and unique position involves wide-ranging tasks and responsibilities which will assist the Risk Management team on a diverse range of projects and initiatives including:

• Monitoring the Risk in-box to ensure employee and partner queries are responded to in a timely manner and to respond directly to more straightforward queries
• Record keeping and monitoring (for example, maintaining the Firm\xe2\x80\x99s breaches register and its Gifts and Hospitality register)
• Assisting with the firm\'s compliance with data protection legislation and client requirement e.g. preparing a record of processing activities
• Drafting process documents and assisting with preparing first drafts of policies, guidance notes and Risk bulletins
• Taking minutes at meetings including Risk Committee and AML meetings, and following up on actions identified from the meetings
• Working with the Learning & Development team to ensure that all new joiners are set up on the online Risk training courses and assisting with escalations in the event of non-compliance
• Assisting with compliance with the SRA\'s Transparency Rules, Modern Slavery statement and the Firm\'s annual declaration and bulk renewal processes
• Following up for feedback on reviewed agreements/contracts
• Assisting with company secretarial tasks
• Maintaining the team\'s intranet page
• Liaising with other firm departments and teams in order to compile information needed for client pitches, audits and due diligence exercises
• Room bookings and arrangements for training run by the risk team and ensuring attendance is recorded and logging attendance

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

Attributes/Skills Required

• The ideal candidate will be available to start ASAP and have experience of working as a legal assistant or paralegal. The successful candidate will have good academics, an excellent written manner and high attention to detail.
• Experience of working within a large or City law firm, and/or prior compliance experience would be ideal
• Excellent interpersonal skills \xe2\x80\x93 the person will liaise with both lawyers and business services groups
• Strong organisational, communication and project management skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to focus on detail but also on the larger picture.
• Ability to write clear, concise and practical guidance and precedents

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm\'s strategy and business needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

About the Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients\' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our values:

Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent

Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard

Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships

Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say

These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.

Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character \xe2\x80\x93 the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent - a clear sign that we are confident in our own future. That\'s how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.

Stephenson Harwood