Baker McKenzie

The Assistant Deputy General Counsel will support the Deputy General Counsel – Europe, Middle East & Africa Region (DGC–EMEA) by carrying out a wide variety of duties as part of the Office of General Counsel (OGC). The role-holder will assist the OGC in managing risk and compliance specifically, and legal matters generally, throughout Baker McKenzie’s EMEA Region, and will provide legal advice and support to EMEA Global Management Committee members, regional leadership, office managing partners, and other Business Professionals on relevant issues.

Main responsibilities: 

• Work with the DGC–EMEA in leading the risk and compliance function for the EMEA Region, including EU regulatory issues, Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) matters, anti‑bribery matters, and other regional and local regulatory issues
• Support and advise regional and office leadership in relation to the Firm’s structure, local structure, and the regulation of legal services, including drafting and negotiating documents as required
• Assist with and advise on employment, labor, and human resources issues in the Region, supporting and counselling management and the HR function as necessary
• Deliver global risk and compliance training in the Region and ensure mandatory completion
• Assist in policy drafting and implementation
• Coordinate the global risk community members in the Region as a subset of the broader Firm global risk community
• Promote and embed consistent global Firm standards of good conduct, professional responsibility, and ethics as articulated in the Firm’s Code of Business Conduct, Attorney Manual, and relevant workplace and other policies 

Skills and experience:

• An undergraduate degree and/or a graduate law degree with a minimum of 7 years experience in the legal profession or an in-house legal department.
• Admitted to practice law in an EU Member State with experience in corporate, commercial, or transactional work in an international environment across multiple jurisdictions
• In‑house legal department experience or dedicated risk management experience is preferred
• Able to work effectively in a team‑oriented, fast‑paced, highly visible environment and handle sensitive and confidential matters while maintaining awareness of the Firm’s broader values and strategy
• Strong cross‑cultural communication and organizational skills, with the credibility and judgment necessary to gain the confidence of the Firm’s senior management, distributed leadership, and other professionals 
• Excellent research and writing skills, as well as excellent written and spoken English communication skills, with the ability to distill legal problems and their solutions effectively and draft legal documents in English
• Strong analytic and problem‑solving skills, with experience in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative information, and a focus on process and project management
• Able to work with minimal supervision, delegate appropriately, and meet deadlines while managing competing priorities and interruptions
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a consensus‑driven organization and support a highly motivated partner group, as well as creating consensus-based support for processes and outcomes
• A strong moral compass, an unwavering commitment to the Firm's stated values, and the fortitude to objectively advise strong personalities

Location: Any Baker McKenzie Office in EMEA

Reports to: Deputy General Counsel, EMEA

Direct reports: Legal / Compliance professionals across the Region

Travel requirements: This role requires regular travel primarily within the EMEA region to attend meetings, deliver risk and compliance training, and support global risk and compliance initiatives. Some travel outside the Region may be required annually

Position type: Regional

Development framework: Associate Director

At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world-class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.