Regulatory - Financial Services Senior Lawyer

This role is ideal for a Senior Associate/Legal Director looking for a clear path to partnership or an existing Partner seeking an exciting new challenge within a forward-thinking firm.

My client are a purpose-led, independent law firm with a strong commitment to innovation, diversity, and sustainability. With award-winning environmental credentials, they believe that business can drive positive change. With over 200 years of history, they are deeply rooted in the North while serving businesses and individuals across England and Wales.

Due to the continued success of our Corporate Defence & Compliance team, they are looking for a Senior Financial Services Regulatory Lawyer to develop and lead the financial services specialism.

About the Role – This Corporate Defence & Compliance team advises clients on a broad range of financial crime and compliance matters, including:

• Regulatory investigations and compliance advisory work.
• Attendance at interviews under caution and support during prosecutions.
• Drafting, training, and reviewing policies around AML, anti-bribery & corruption, sanctions, fraud prevention, dawn raids, and crisis management.
• Internal investigations and reputation management.

As part of their continued growth, this role will focus on expanding their financial services regulatory offering, including advisory, transactional, and regulatory work for a range of clients. The successful candidate will work on both contentious and non-contentious matters and take the lead in engaging with regulatory bodies such as the FCA.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on financial services regulation, compliance, and investigations.
• Lead and manage complex regulatory matters, ensuring high-quality client service.
• Build and strengthen client relationships, leveraging your strong industry network.
• Mentor and develop junior lawyers within the team.
• Stay ahead of evolving regulations and industry trends to ensure best-in-class advice.

The Candidate:

• Significant experience in financial services regulation, corporate defence, or business crime, ideally from a top-tier regulatory or financial crime team.
• A strong understanding of FCA rules and regulatory frameworks.
• A proactive, strategic mindset with the ability to lead and develop a growing specialism.
• A proven track record of business development and client relationship management.
• The ambition to drive growth and shape the future of the financial services regulatory offering.

My client offers a flexible and agile working environment, with a home office preference and the ability to collaborate with teams across multiple locations. Hybrid working is available to support work-life balance.

In addition to a competitive salary, they provide:

• 25 days’ holiday (increasing to 32 through our loyalty recognition programme) plus an option to buy an extra five days.
• Pension scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance, and income protection insurance.
• Opportunities to engage in colleague-led affinity groups, including LGBTQ+, REACH, mental & physical health, social mobility, and sustainability.
• A dynamic and inclusive culture with strong opportunities for career development and leadership.