Lawyer - #2165044

Senior Compliance Lawyer

Location: Birmingham, Stoke or Oxford

Contract: Permanent, Full-time

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Senior Compliance Lawyer to join the in-house Risk & Compliance function of a leading national law firm. This is a key hire within a well-established and highly regarded compliance team, offering genuine influence over the firm's regulatory and risk framework.

Based full-time in either the Oxford, Birmingham or Stoke office, this role will see you working closely with senior leadership and stakeholders across the business, playing a central role in ensuring regulatory compliance while shaping a strong, proactive risk culture.

This position is ideally suited to a commercially aware and technically strong solicitor who thrives in a fast-paced, regulated legal environment and is keen to step into a visible, value-adding role.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical and commercially focused legal advice on a broad range of regulatory and compliance matters.
• Advise on compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations, AML/CTF obligations, GDPR and wider regulatory frameworks.
• Provide guidance on ethical and compliance issues arising in client matters, including conflicts of interest, handling privileged information and adherence to the Solicitors Accounts Rules (in collaboration with Finance).
• Act as a key point of contact for day-to-day compliance queries across legal and business support teams.
• Support the ongoing development, review and implementation of internal compliance policies, procedures and controls.
• Conduct internal audits and file reviews, identifying risks and recommending remedial action where required.
• Handle complaints end-to-end, including drafting responses, liaising with clients, colleagues and the Legal Ombudsman, and overseeing remediation actions.
• Investigate ethical breaches and compliance violations, recommending corrective actions and reporting to the SRA where necessary.
• Respond to Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) and manage data-related complaints.
• Investigate and manage data breaches, working closely with Technology teams, advising on mitigation measures and coordinating reporting to clients and regulators.
• Assist with regulatory reporting and monitoring activity.
• Support business growth initiatives, including acquisition integration from a compliance perspective.
• Assist in the design and delivery of internal training programmes and compliance initiatives.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the firm's risk management and governance framework.

Skills & Experience

• UK-qualified solicitor with 3+ years' PQE, ideally within regulatory, compliance or professional standards.
• Strong knowledge of the SRA regulatory framework, AML/CTF obligations and data protection legislation.
• Proven experience handling complaints, regulatory issues and compliance investigations within a legal or regulated environment.
• Experience advising on ethical issues such as conflicts of interest and confidentiality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory matters into clear, practical guidance.
• Highly analytical, with strong attention to detail and a methodical approach.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to deliver pragmatic, risk-aware advice in a fast-moving environment.
• Confident working both autonomously and collaboratively within a professional, regulated setting.