Compliance Solicitor – In-House Risk & Compliance
Location: Birmingham or Stoke (Office-based, 5 days per week)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Overview
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 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 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 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