Latham & Watkins, a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world, is seeking a Compliance and Ethics Assistant to join our dynamic team in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, Boston, or our Global Services Office in Los Angeles. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

ABOUT LATHAM & WATKINS

Latham & Watkins is a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world.  The success of our firm is largely determined by our commitment to hire and develop the very best and brightest, creating a team that provides our clients with the highest quality of work and service. We are driven by our core values: respect, innovation and collaboration.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Compliance and Ethics Assistant, you will be responsible for supporting the firm’s Anti-Money Laundering ("AML"), sanctions, and other compliance programs in multiple offices across the firm, as well as the firm’s vendor risk management program. Other key responsibilities include:

1. Assisting with the Client Due Diligence and Know Your Client (“KYC”) document collection and refreshing processes for the US, Beijing, and Shanghai offices, including identifying creative ways to work with local staff to support timely KYC document collection
2. Assisting with the review of matters in the Moscow office involving high-risk factors flagged during conflicts clearance and/or new business intake
3. Monitoring the AML Team’s Engagement Letter folder in Outlook to identify where KYC document collection may be needed; reviewing incoming notifications to determine whether newly-identified potential clients require more research as well as working closely with AML Team Members (along with the Engagement Letter team, as necessary) to properly identify which notifications require action
4. Assisting other AML Team Members in monitoring the AML & Sanctions Compliance Inbox in Outlook as well as reminding AML Team Members about outstanding high-priority notifications requiring action and archiving notifications for diligence record purposes
5. Assisting with the annual review of AML KYC documentation for possible deletion according to General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) and similar requirements as implemented in various jurisdictions across the firm
6. Responding to questions from lawyers and secretaries in multiple offices across the firm regarding AML documentation requirements and status of AML documentation collection
7. Assisting with maintaining, updating, and distributing on a regular basis, a spreadsheet of all matters opened involving the legal cannabis industry, with details on enhanced due diligence conducted on the matters
8. As needed, assisting other AML Team Members with collecting and updating KYC documentation of clients across the firm and responding to requests from AML Officers, the firm’s Internal Audit Department, and the firm’s external regulators
9. Participating in the development and delivery of content for bi-annual MLRO meetings and in the drafting of articles for MLRO Newsletters
10. Assisting with the firm’s sanctions compliance program, including the screening of client, non-client party, and vendor names against sanctions lists and the screening of newly-sanctioned names against names in the firm’s conflicts and vendor databases
11. Assisting with conducting risk-based diligence on potential firm vendors at intake and existing vendors on an ongoing basis; using independent judgment to address and resolve risk findings discovered at new vendor intake and during ongoing monitoring

ABOUT YOU

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Exhibit an advanced ability to perceive and analyze problems and develop alternative strategies to solve them

• Demonstrate well developed and professional interpersonal skills; ability to effectively interface with lawyers, management, support staff and outside contacts

• Display strong communication skills, both written and verbal

And have:

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred
• A minimum of two (2) relevant compliance experience including research functions, or related law firm experience required

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• 10 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Wellness programs (e.g. membership to HeadSpace, access to mental health services, well-being events, etc.)
• Professional Development programs
• Employee discounts
• And more!

Additionally, we have a range of diversity programming including Global Affinity Groups. These groups provide a firmwide platform to share experiences and advice as well as an opportunity to participate in a supportive network with common interests to help make life at the firm even better.

Latham & Watkins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity, equal opportunity, pro bono work and sustainability enables Latham & Watkins to draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to create one of the world's leading law firms. Our lawyers, paralegals, and professional staff worldwide comprise a rich mixture of different races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, cultures, and primary languages. Our diversity makes us who we are.

Latham & Watkins is also committed to protecting the health and well-being of our employees and partners, their families, and members of our community against COVID-19. Accordingly, we require all partners and employees based in the United States to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have a documented underlying medical condition or sincerely held religious belief that prevents such vaccination. Offers of employment will be conditioned upon applicants presenting proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or obtaining an exemption on medical or religious grounds.

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Required Skills Required Experience