The Vacancy



Fieldfisher's Client Onboarding Graduate programme is an excellent opportunity for motivated, ambitious and curious Graduates who are interested in a career in Risk and Compliance at Fieldfisher.



As a Graduate Onboarding Officer, you will develop knowledge and practical experience of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks. You will also have the opportunity to develop the skills to assess the impact of international Sanctions, involvement of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), and conduct negative news reviews to develop a holistic and detailed risk assessment.




A bit about the programme



This two-year programme will help in developing your communication and organisational skills and managing your own workload. You will be communicating with some of the most senior people in the firm. You will gain exposure to the work types, client types and practice types of an international law firm, from assisting individuals to some of the largest corporations. You will be able to leverage this knowledge in your career to demonstrate knowledge on the breadth of work at a law firm.



By working inside Risk you will gather experience on the risks associated with legal work and our clients, also how to mitigate those risks. You will develop excellent research and analytical skills and bring this into any legal work you subsequently do and identifying risks in potential clients/matters early.




As a Graduate Onboarding Officer, you will be...

• Utilising cloud-based, AI-infused technology to assist our Anti Money Laundering processes


• Providing support to the Firm, Partners and offices on onboarding clients and matters


• Diligently review and assess the AML risks associated with all new client and matter requests submitted via the Firm's systems (e.g. Intapp) to perform KYC/CDD


• Document research and analysis into an AML 'Pack' provided to fee-earners for their approval


• Assessment and collation of Politically Exposed Persons


• Collating information from the Company registers globally


• Assessing negative news stories about potential clients for their risk to the firm


• Liaising with Partners and Senior Stakeholders to obtain outstanding information


• Verifying the ID of individuals using our Biometric Identity Verification tool


• Matter Management on our bespoke in-house finance system, Evergreen


• Assisting the team by gathering information on active clients to be reviewed


• Performing ongoing monitoring of existing client relationships


• Participating in meetings with the firmwide risk team


• Assist with developing training materials, presentations, and courses on AML


• Performing Conflict of Interest searches, diligently assessing the results and liaising with lawyers across the firm to address any concerns

A bit about you

• 2:1 (achieved) in a law degree (preferable)


• Demonstrable research skills


• Demonstrable organisational skills


• Ability to adjust workflows to meet deadlines


• Clear written and verbal communication


• Team-focused


• Self-motivated


• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products


• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail


• Keen interest in a career in Risk and Compliance

Recruitment Process

• Online Application


• Online Assessment


• Video Interview with a member of the Early Careers or Recruitment Team


• Assessment Centre


• Offer and Pre-Employment Checks

Our Early Careers Team are on hand to support throughout the process.




Quotes from our current graduates



"The Graduate Onboarding Scheme has significantly helped me grow as a young professional navigating the legal world"



"Surrounded by a welcoming and supportive team"



"I would recommend this graduate scheme to anyone looking to begin a career in AML or the legal world in general"



"It has boosted my confidence, provided hands-on experience in the corporate world, and taught me invaluable knowledge in key legal areas"



"Impactful introduction to the legal world, enabling me to immerse myself in a close-knit and accomplished team"




Who are we looking for?



We don't have a type. We believe our differences are our strength; varied cultures, approaches and experiences can only benefit us.




Inclusion is not exclusive:



If all our differences are highlighted, no one stands out for being different. At Fieldfisher, all our rich diversity is celebrated.



We will provide the equipment to allow you to shine at the interview and beyond. Just let us know what you need.



For accessibility information on our Belfast office, visit: Accessing Fieldfisher Belfast Hub ¦ Fieldfisher




The Company



We are not a UK firm with offices in Europe. We are a European law firm at our core. While our HQ is London, we are spreading across Europe at pace. In addition to UK, China and Silicon Valley we have offices in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain.



With 28 offices across 14 countries, we work collaboratively with each of our offices to ensure our clients receive the best advice and support. You might expect an impersonal office culture, but you will find a homely, family feel even in the largest offices.




Quality on both sides

Across all our offices and jurisdictions are market-leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences.



We count as clients large corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions.



We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. Applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.




Testimonials




Taylor Bradford (Graduate Onboarding Officer)



"Since joining Fieldfisher, I've felt supported, welcomed and valued from the beginning. From the interview process through to starting in my team, there has always been someone on hand to guide and support me. I've already been given exciting opportunities for career development, including a trip to London to network within my first few weeks. It's been a fantastic start to my career with Fieldfisher."




Isla Cheung (Trainee Solicitor) - September 2026



"



Although I have only just joined Fieldfisher, I have already been incredibly impressed by the training and support on offer. Our induction programme was packed with useful sessions, covering everything from the economics of law firms, an introduction to the city and time-recording, to soft skills training such as resilience and wellbeing. What particularly stood out was that trainees, solicitor apprentices and graduate scheme participants from across the firm, including Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast, were all brought together in London for the induction. It reflected a culture where people are given the same opportunities and level of investment regardless of office location and provided a great foundation for beginning our careers at the firm.



My first-seat team has been extremely welcoming. From team socials and a dedicated junior support forum to a supportive line manager who is always happy to answer questions, there is a genuine focus on making trainees feel part of the team from day one.



'Culture' is a word that is often used by law firms, but at Fieldfisher it is something you can genuinely feel. The firm's collaborative and supportive environment has made a very positive impression on me in a short space of time, and I have felt encouraged to get involved and ask questions from the outset. I am really looking forward to starting my Banking & Finance seat and continuing to develop my career at Fieldfisher."




Kayla Samuel (Finance Apprentice)



"I'm doing a two-year finance apprenticeship where I rotate to a new team every six months. It's been a great way to see how each part of the finance function works, and I'm currently with the office accounts team.



I chose the apprenticeship route because I wanted hands-on experience rather than going straight to university. I've always enjoyed maths, so working in finance felt like a natural fit. Another big plus is finishing the programme without the debt you'd usually have from a degree, and there's even the chance of a job at the end, which isn't always guaranteed with university."




Nicholas Gannon - Business Administration Apprentice, Belfast



Since starting as a Legal Support Services Apprentice with Fieldfisher in September 2023, I have thoroughly enjoyed all the opportunities I have been presented with. I have already picked up so many new skills from my first 6 months at the firm. Skills such as communication, organisation, adaptability, and initiative. As I am a Legal Support Services Apprentice, I have the privilege of being in both the Practice Administration Team and DPU (document production unit). This has been extremely beneficial for me as an apprentice, as I have been able to gain knowledge and understanding of two different departments of the business which has both challenged and benefitted me massively to adapting to full time work.



After a gap year I came across the apprenticeship advertised on a job site, and it instantly caught my eye as an 'earn while you learn' apprenticeship scheme appealed to me a lot. I attended an assessment centre which was such a great opportunity to gain experience in a professional environment. The studying side of the apprenticeship fits in perfectly to my schedule and is ran excellently. I am given allocated study hours for when I have any assignment deadlines or exams coming up.



There is an extremely positive working atmosphere at the firm, everyone is extremely pleasant, and I am never afraid to approach anyone for support. I am constantly learning new skills every day which helps me progress and a fast rate.