Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Analyst

Full Job Description

Make an impact at Goodwin , where we partner with our clients to practice law with integrity, ingenuity, agility and ambition. We are in the business of building authentic, long-term relationships with our clients, who are some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. Our immersive understanding of these industries – combined with our expertise across high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions – sets us apart. Our Global Operations Team – all business professionals of the firm – was named the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer .

The AML Analysts work closely with the Director, Anti-Money Laundering – Europe + Asia and other members of the AML Team and are responsible for conducting client due diligence on new and existing clients of the firm to ensure that the firm’s legal and regulatory obligations in the UK, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Singapore and Hong Kong are complied with.  AML Analysts will also have interaction with the Money Laundering Reporting Officers in Europe and Asia and the Conflicts teams in the London and Boston offices.  The AML Analysts will have a key role in identifying potential risks to the firm and escalating those risks as appropriate. They will also be involved in dealing with any ad hoc AML queries and assisting with projects relating to the firm’s adherence to its legal and regulatory obligations in Europe and Asia.

What you will do:

• Conducting client due diligence:
• identifying clients and obtaining information to evidence their existence and ownership structures using information sources such as Orbis , Companies House, Capital IQ, Lexis/Nexis Corporate Affiliations, World-Check and the internet;
• liaising with partners and associates, and also with clients, to obtain information and documentation which is not available from public information sources;
• completing risk assessments for both clients and matters;
• identifying high risk clients and escalating any issues to the Money Laundering Reporting Officer in the relevant office(s);
• liaising with the Conflicts team to ensure that all new client/matter opening requirements are completed. 

• Advising on ongoing monitoring of clients/matters in accordance with legal/regulatory requirements.
• Reviewing, where necessary, prospective clients to ensure any reputational or sanctions issues are understood and are deemed within the firm’s risk appetite.
• Assisting with continually updating policies and procedures relating to new client/matter opening, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, and other compliance topics.
• Lead periodic team/department/firm training sessions.
• Educate on AML legislation as well as processes worldwide.
• Support new joiner training.

Who you are:

• Strong knowledge of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (and its subsequent amendments), the 4th, 5th and 6th EU Money Laundering Directives, the Law Society of Singapore’s Practice Direction on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and the Law Society of Hong Kong’s Practice Direction P (or a willingness to acquire such knowledge).
• Knowledge of different types of corporate, partnership and trust entities.
• Ability to adhere to and apply compliance policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of the firm professionally and tactfully.
• Ability to provide a high level of service in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to handle a high volume of tasks while maintaining attention to detail and prioritising as necessary.
• Ability to use own judgement to come to decisions but also aware of when issues need to be escalated.
• Flexible and able to adapt to new situations, processes and new technology.
• Law degree or Graduate Diploma in Law essential.  Legal Practice Course preferred.  Equivalent qualifications from other common law jurisdictions considered.
• Experience of law firm client due diligence is preferred but not essential.
• Experience of conducting company searches and use of resources such as Capital IQ and Lexis/Nexis Corporate Affiliations preferred but not essential.
• Fluency in German and/or French an advantage.

The ideal candidate will possess confidence in their ability to deal effectively with staff at all levels, have an ability to persuade, be flexible in his/her approach, have a strong attention to detail and a desire to become an expert in anti-money laundering compliance.  They will have a sound understanding of the nature of work in a multinational corporate law firm; demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of how a top City law firm works, its client base and markets in which it operates, and familiarity with the structure of matters it takes on.

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status,  disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.