Description
About Ashurst:
Ashurst is a leading global law firm with a determination to go beyond the ordinary by outpacing change. We have a community of 4800+ people across over 30 offices globally and are a trusted adviser to top corporates, financial institutions and governments. What sets us apart is our ambition for our people and our clients.
The Opportunity:
Due to rapid growth in client demand we are seeking an experienced regulatory lawyer to serve as lead Counsel. The role requires substantial technical subject matter expertise in financial services licensing regulations (and their practical application) and will suit an experienced candidate who wishes to be at the forefront of the rapid growth of a client facing legal solution serving Ashurst's financial services clients.
The role would suit a senior lawyer, existing counsel or former partner who wishes to work on a high quality product serving high profile clients with more certainty over their working timetable than for traditional matter work. You will be supported by a senior FinReg partner in product training and technical escalations. We support applications from candidates who wish to explore part time or flexible working arrangements.
About you:
The successful candidate will:
- Oversee the day to day content delivery of the XBA Product to Ashurst clients
- Manage a small team of lawyers to ensure the XBA content is high quality and delivered in line with service delivery requirements
- Suggest improvements to content structure, questionnaires and process to drive continuous improvement
- Instruct and negotiate with local counsel to provide and update detailed regulatory analysis of financial services licensing and ancillary regulations
- Efficiently review and synthesize large volumes of complex legislative and regulatory information into practical obligations and requirements
- Lead client facing demonstrations of the XBA content and features and have meaningful conversations with clients and prospects on the customisation of the content to their specific footprint and risk appetite
- Work with clients to turn their content customisation requests into practical content
- Proactively identify and contribute high quality content to thought leadership and client development initiatives supported by our BD team.
- Support the new client onboarding process
- Spot opportunities for downstream work and new product ideas
We are interested in hearing from people who have:
- Qualified in the UK or an EU jurisdiction (ideally 8+ years PQE)
- Has a range of experience across key UK and European regulatory regimes applicable to bank financial institutions. Experience with Wealth/Asset Management regimes would be a bonus
- Genuinely interested in financial services and delivering exceptional client service, in new and innovative ways
- Proficiency in conducting and/or reviewing comprehensive legal research including technical cross border surveys
- Ability to identify and interpret relevant legislative changes and regulatory updates and distinguish between mandatory requirements and best practice guidance.
- A passion for rigorous attention to detail in drafting with a continuous eye on consistency in language and taxonomy
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts in clear, concise, and accessible language for legal and non-legal stakeholders
- Experience in prioritising work and maintaining version control over evolving drafts
- Willingness and ability to quickly get up to speed with new (foreign) regulatory regimes or unfamiliar subject matter
- Experience in peer reviewing or quality checking legal work to ensure accuracy and consistency and coaching more junior lawyers in knowledge and process improvement
- Confident working with a high degree of autonomy and independence with support from practice group partners where required
- Enjoys working cross-functionally with product, technology, and business development teams
- Champions quality, consistency, and legal excellence
- We value a sense of humour and a positive outlook—life's too short for unnecessary drama or big egos. We work hard, but we also enjoy what we do and support each other
What makes Ashurst a great place to work?
- Flexible work options
- Market leading parental leave of 26 weeks paid leave irrespective of gender
- Health and wellbeing benefits, gym membership (discounted memberships) and corporate health plans
- Extensive Learning & Development opportunities including tailored professional developmentfor all employees, coaching, mentoring and study support for further education.
- We have a strong commitment to social impact, demonstrated by our extensive volunteeringand pro-bono opportunities, as well as our award-winning social inclusion and mobility programmes.
- We are committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
