Paralegal - Business Acceptance

The Role

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Paralegal to join our Business Acceptance team in London. Working autonomously within a fast-paced global team, you will assess and process straightforward business acceptance requests, supporting the firm in the effective management of regulatory, legal, operational, and information security risk.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in a paralegal, conflicts, or compliance environment who is looking to deepen their expertise in a high-quality, client-focused setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the processing of securities dealing requests under the firm's securities dealing policy, helping to manage insider dealing risk.

• Taking a lead role in client and matter data accuracy, including processing client maintenance and matter transfer requests.

• Supporting AML compliance, including liaising with the business to update due diligence records and handling country clearance requests.

• Assisting with information and regulatory audit requests.

• Undertaking ad hoc research and responding to queries as required.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Previous experience as a Paralegal, or within a Risk and Compliance, Conflicts, or similar function — this is a requirement of the role.

• Strong research skills, including web-based and database research.

• Diligent, with a strong work ethic and the ability to perform under pressure.

• Self-motivated and able to use initiative.

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and multitask effectively.

• Clear, concise, and accurate written and verbal communication.

• A collaborative team player who takes pride in team success and is willing to assist on a variety of tasks.

Preferred:

• Interest and exposure to AML, Risk, and Conflicts matters.

• Experience with InTapp Open.

• Competence with, or ability to learn, database programmes including WorldCheck and Orbis.

Education & Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree, preferably in Law.

• If you hold a non-law degree, you should have completed a recognised conversion course.

• Applications from individuals with relevant compliance experience or professional accreditation will also be considered.

• Competence in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Windows Explorer) is required.

About the Legal Department

Our Legal Department exists to manage the firm's risk exposure and provide expert advice on legal and compliance matters. Within it, the Business Acceptance team plays a central role — advising on conflicts, confidentiality, client due diligence, sanctions, and reputational and commercial risk across our global practice. We are proud to be recognised as a leader among the world's elite law firms, delivering excellent service in a commercial and empathetic manner.

Right to Work

We can only accept applications from individuals who hold a permanent right to work in the United Kingdom. Evidence of the right to work will be required in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Inclusion 

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.  

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence).