Deputy General Counsel

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a leading international law firm with offices across the world. It has a substantial European practice with particular emphasis on international arbitration and litigation, cross-border acquisitions, capital markets transactions, private equity funds, financings and restructurings. The London office has more than 120 lawyers, including 25 partners and 13 international counsel. Over two thirds of our lawyers are UK-qualified. Our London lawyers work closely with their colleagues in New York, Paris, Frankfurt and Moscow, as well as with lawyers in our other offices. The London office has an overall count of around 240. 

The firm’s Office of General Counsel manages the firm’s legal affairs, as well as global risk and compliance strategy, policies and procedures.

This role is as a senior member of the Office of General Counsel managing the firm’s legal, risk and compliance matters across the firm’s offices outside the U.S.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and managing the London based team members of the Office of General Counsel and working closely with the firm’s General Counsel, other team members and members of other firm departments.
• Dealing with all SRA regulatory matters of the London office, including SRA questionnaires, regulatory meetings and audits, reporting obligations and the renewal of practising certificates; and dealing with similar regulatory matters in the firm’s offices outside the U.S.
• Advising on the SRA Codes of Conduct, including the conflicts and confidentiality rules.
• Drafting and advising on risk and compliance policies and procedures, including engagement letters.
• Supervising the firm’s global compliance with anti-money laundering, sanctions and other financial crime law and regulation.
• Working with the London HR team on HR matters.
• Advising on the firm’s contracts with third parties.
• Delivering compliance training.

• England and Wales qualified lawyer.
• Previous experience of law firm compliance work.
• Working knowledge of the SRA Standards and Regulations and financial crime and data protection law and regulation.
• Knowledge of, or interest in, employment law.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• A team player.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.