Associate Legal Counsel

As one of the world’s largest networks of audit, tax and consulting firms, RSM delivers big ideas and premium service to help middle-market businesses thrive. We are a fast-growing firm with big ambitions – we have a clear goal to become the premium adviser to the middle market, globally. This vision touches everything we do, motivating and inspiring us to become better every day. If you are looking for a firm where you can build a future and make an impact, then RSM is the place for you. The RSM UK In House Legal Team is a lively group of lawyers who enjoy a challenging workload. We are dedicated to supporting RSM by proactively resolving legal, regulatory and risk management issues, so as to protect the business, drive commercial improvements and contribute to its continued success. We comprise 12 lawyers, 2 paralegals and have dedicated administrative support. The opportunity We have a vacancy for an Associate Legal Counsel within the disputes side of the In House Legal Team, reporting to the Head of Dispute Resolution. Your key responsibilities The work within the team is varied and covers all legal issues arising from the running of a professional services business. It is dynamic, as the firm constantly finds innovative ways to help our clients’ businesses and the regulatory landscape in which we operate changes and develops. This role includes: Regulatory: providing legal input on compliance and regulatory matters (including the FRC, FCA, SFO and ICAEW) and responding to regulatory inquiries. Litigation: advising on and handling claims, including settlement, drafting Pre-Action Protocol correspondence, dealing with preservation of material/collation of evidence and actively managing external lawyers. Third party requests: advising on a wide range of requests for access to information, including from the police and HMRC, and negotiating Production Orders and Schedule 36 notices. Complaints: working alongside the firm’s Complaints Partner in responding to complaints. Undertaking internal investigations. General: providing legal advice to the firm’s service lines and its other internal support functions, including in relation to management of risk, anti-money laundering compliance, UK GDPR and FOIA. Opportunity to be the legal contact on firm-wide projects. Skills and attributes for success Strong team player with excellent analytical and communication skills. Proactive at finding solutions and maintains motivation when faced with obstacles or ideas that are not readily accepted. Keeps calm and able to juggle a wide range of matters of varying complexity and urgency. Ability to work with minimal supervision but as part of a close-knit and supportive team. Takes responsibility and ownership of issues, including an ability to take difficult decisions and provide well-reasoned arguments. Strong commercial awareness of the firm’s activities and an active desire to get alongside our business, offering legal insight and support. Ability to relate well to a range of people in different situations. Desire to constantly improve and develop. To qualify for the role you must have: Approximately 2-4 years of post-qualification experience. Experience gained either in a reputable law firm and/or in-house. Ability to provide practical legal advice and support with a high degree of professionalism in a fast-paced environment and to establish a high degree of credibility, respect and trust at all levels.  Diversity and Inclusion at RSM At RSM, we want to create a strong sense of belonging so that people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures feel they can bring their true self to work. Our clients come from all walks of life. We aim to achieve that same diversity of background, experience and perspective in our own teams, so that we can genuinely understand our client’s needs. Diverse teams bring a broader range of ideas and insights to work. That’s why we’re working together to ensure our firm’s principles and processes support a firm culture that embraces difference and strengthens inclusion. At RSM we work hard to create an environment where our people can make a difference - to themselves, their career, their teams, and to the success of our firm and clients. We support all our people to work flexibly, to manage their family and other responsibilities alongside their work commitments; we believe this is key to achieving an inspiring and fulfilling working environment.