Law Firm Risk & Governance Roles We Recruit
Law Firm Risk & Governance encompasses the specialist functions responsible for managing regulatory compliance, operational risk, financial crime, professional responsibility, conflicts and information governance within law firms. Rutherford Search recruits across each of these specialist areas, supporting UK and international law firms in building experienced teams that strengthen governance frameworks, manage regulatory risk and support compliance with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requirements.
Risk Leadership
We recruit senior Risk Leadership professionals responsible for developing governance strategies, overseeing enterprise risk and advising leadership teams on regulatory and operational matters. This includes appointments such as General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer (CRO), Head of Risk, Director of Risk, Risk & Compliance Director and General Counsel & Risk Partner.
Compliance & Financial Crime
Compliance and Financial Crime professionals help law firms maintain regulatory compliance, prevent financial crime and strengthen internal controls. We recruit across Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Financial Crime, sanctions, regulatory reporting and compliance monitoring, including appointments such as Compliance Partner, COLP, COFA, MLCO, MLRO, Deputy MLRO and Head of Financial Crime.
Conflicts & Client Intake
Conflicts and Client Intake teams oversee client acceptance, conflict checking, due diligence and onboarding processes before new instructions are accepted. We recruit professionals including Heads of Conflicts, Conflicts Partners and Heads of Client Acceptance who help firms manage legal, commercial and regulatory risk.
Governance, Information & Professional Responsibility
Governance professionals support the policies, systems and controls that underpin regulatory compliance and operational resilience. We recruit Heads of Information Governance, Data Protection Officers (DPOs), Heads of Professional Indemnity & Claims and other specialists responsible for information governance, professional responsibility, records management and data protection.


