Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP
Risk and Professional Practice Lawyer
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Risk and Professional Practice Lawyer
Location: Edinburgh or Glasgow
The firm is open to considering suitably qualified candidates on either a full time or part time basis.
Morton Fraser MacRoberts (MFMac) is a leading independent Scottish law firm, known for combining deep legal expertise with clear, practical advice that helps clients achieve their objectives. With more than 480 people across its Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, including 72 partners, the firm provides a full range of legal services to businesses, public sector organisations, charities, individuals and families.
MFMac works with clients across the private, public and third sectors, supporting some of the UK's most recognisable organisations and institutions. Its client base includes the UK and Scottish Governments, Breedon Group plc, CALA Homes, Diageo, HSBC plc, the Ministry of Defence, NHS Scotland, Schuh, Skyscanner and SSE plc. Through its sector knowledge, collaborative approach and commercial focus, the firm delivers practical solutions to complex legal challenges.
Summary of Role
Working with the Head of Professional Practice, the role is to be a trusted legal advisor, guiding the firm's day-to-day handling of the most prevalent professional practice risk issues.
These can include dealing with conflict clearance in terms of the firm's intake process for new clients and matters, as well as conflicts of interest more generally. The work will also include providing support on complaints and claims handling, compliance queries, general legal regulatory matters (Scotland, England & Wales) and financial crime concerns, advising on external engagement and terms of business issues and third party/supplier contracts.
The post involves advising on complex conflicts and confidentiality issues, providing clear, pragmatic recommendations to fee-earners and senior management, and supporting the implementation and refinement of firm-wide conflicts and compliance policies.
As an experienced and well-rounded risk practitioner, there will be the opportunity to design and deliver training and support in the delivery of reports to Partners, Directors, the Executive Committee and the Management Board as required.
Key Tasks
- Advising and supporting the team dealing with client and matter inception on conflict identification/analysis and conducting audits of the team's work.
- Acting as a main escalation point on conflicts of interest issues, advising the firm on compliant and optimal ways forward, and delivering interactive in-person and on-line relevant training as required.
- Supporting the MLRO, Deputy MLRO and MLCO with anti-money laundering compliance-related work.
- Supporting the Head of Professional Practice with complaints handling.
- Supporting in delivering in the Lessons Learned process, thinking creatively about suitable mechanisms for dissemination including designing and delivering training and seeking feedback.
- Supporting the Head of Professional Practice in identifying and reacting to trend analysis and feeding into the cycle of continuous improvement on complaints handling.
- Advising on external engagement terms, terms of business and letter of engagement styles and issues, including advising on exceptional or unusual internal or external terms.
- Dealing with third party/supplier terms, advising the business on acceptability and negotiating terms.
- Assisting the COLP with SRA related tasks and workstreams.
- Assisting the Enterprise Risk Manager from time to time in completing Enterprise-related workstreams such as ISO, mandates, and data protection related activities.
- Managing and supporting project-related activity and, on occasion, leading such projects.
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Qualifications and Experience
The post requires an experienced solicitor with previous experience of dealing with professional practice in the legal sector.
The post holder must have the knowledge and aptitude to work autonomously in role as well as under the direction of the senior risk management team, Client Relations Partner and Director of Risk and Compliance.
Essential Experience and Qualifications
- Solicitor qualified in Scots law. Dual qualification is desirable but not essential.
- Evidence of competence in UK regulatory risk ideally for law firms.
- An understanding of the wider role of risk and compliance within a legal setting.
- Significant experience in managing conflict clearance and escalation.
- Expertise in dealing effectively with complaints including understanding the human dimension of dealing with such matters.
- An aptitude for working well and managing a caseload independently (as appropriate) and excellent team-working skills.
- Deadline-oriented with a proven ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment while communicating confidently with people across the firm and clients.
- Proven ability to advise fee-earners, partners and senior management and to present clear, solution-focused recommendations.
- Excellent judgment, commercial awareness, and ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion.
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Person Specification
- You have excellent communication skills, you are articulate, you communicate clearly, concisely and without any jargon.
- You enjoy working within a team and autonomously on your own initiative.
- You are personable and good at building and developing client relationships.
- You are confident and you have a strong belief in yourself and your own ability.
- You are committed to providing a good client experience and willing to put in extra time and effort when required.
Here at Morton Fraser MacRoberts we believe in a positive work life balance and in an inclusive and friendly working environment.
We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome. We know that a culture of inclusion drives great results, and we're committed to making sure all our people feel valued and empowered. If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the application process, just let us know in your application. We will support you every step of the way. If you have a disability and meet the basic requirements for the role, we will guarantee you an interview.
We offer a generous benefits package including:
- Profit Related Pay
- Pension Scheme
- Private Medical Insurance for all employees (BUPA)
- Holidays starting at 25 days plus 9 public holidays (plus birthday off)
- Tax Efficient Car Lease Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Access to Comprehensive Wellbeing resources
- Retail Discounts
We operate our business on an agile basis reflecting the needs of our clients and our people to deliver outstanding client service. We will agree a suitable office/homeworking arrangement with all candidates.
As signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, we recognise the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. Please ensure you include any military skills and qualifications you hold when applying for a vacancy with us to ensure they are recognised during our recruitment and selection process.
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