Wong & Partners

The Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Specialist will serve as the Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) subject matter expert for the Asia-Pacific (AP) region by providing proactive AML support to In-Market personnel, including Partners and office staff.

The role-holder will lead Know Your Client (KYC), Client Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), and Ongoing Monitoring (OGM) processes by analyzing new clients and matters to ensure compliance with local standards while maintaining high levels of productivity and quality. The individual will also integrate local AML controls into client onboarding, matter development, and related financial processes, working alongside existing Center processes to mitigate risk and uphold regulatory obligations.

In addition, the AML Compliance Specialist will partner with local Managing Partners, AML Compliance Officers, and the Regional Operating Officer (ROO) to support the wider AP AML Program. This includes updating policies and procedures, developing and delivering training, supporting suspicious activity reporting, contributing to Firm-wide risk assessments, aligning financial controls, and participating in AML audits and regulatory reviews.

Main responsibilities: 

AML Expertise & Advisory:

• Act as the primary Subject Matter Expert, providing Anti‑Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF), and Proliferation Financing (PF) technical guidance to Partners and office teams in AP, ensuring responsiveness and clarity
• Monitor regulatory changes across relevant jurisdictions, assess impact, and update internal policies and procedures accordingly
• Develop and deliver AML training programs to uplift knowledge and adapt to evolving regulatory requirements

Client & Matter Risk Assessment:

• Utilize Firm tools, business intelligence databases, screening tools, public domain searches, and reporting to review and assess AML and reputational risks for all new client and matter requests
• Perform detailed due diligence and risk assessment, applying Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) where required
• Conduct thorough beneficial ownership investigations and document findings for internal and external review (regulators, audit, risk, compliance)

Monitoring & Escalation:

• Review ongoing screening and monitoring results, escalate high‑risk findings, and document decisions clearly
• Facilitate identification, escalation, and reporting of high‑risk or negative findings per Firm protocols
• Support drafting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) or equivalent reports to local authorities in line with regulatory obligations

Record Retention & Audit Readiness:

• Ensure compliance with statutory record‑keeping requirements for AML documentation
• Lead preparation for internal audits and regulatory inspections, ensuring timely and accurate responses

Program Support & Continuous Improvement:

• Collaborate with local AML contacts and the Global New Business Intake (NBI) Team to execute AML activities for the AP region
• Identify opportunities to strengthen and streamline AML processes, lead improvement initiatives, and foster a culture of continuous enhancement
• Maintain and update materials reflecting standard processes for KYC/CDD/EDD/OGM
• Assist in maintaining and updating Firm‑wide AML risk assessment framework
• Contribute to risk‑scoring models for clients and matters
• Support implementation or optimization of AML technology solutions
• Collaborate with Finance and Risk teams to strengthen the linkage between AML controls and financial processes

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build trusted relationships with Partners, PAs, and local AML/Compliance Managers across all offices
• Liaise with Center AML teams to ensure consistency in practices across regions
• Operate within agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and confidentiality standards while ensuring quality and compliance

Skills and experience: 

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related discipline
• Technical experience in AML compliance within a legal or professional services environment
• In-depth knowledge of AML/CFT/PF regulations, KYC/CDD/EDD processes, sanctions screening, and beneficial ownership investigations
• Familiarity with AML screening tools, business intelligence databases, and client onboarding systems
• Able to monitor regulatory developments and implement compliance measures effectively
• Comfortable working in a large, complex, matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders
• Exceptional problem‑solving, critical‑thinking, and analytical skills
• Excellent time‑management and organizational skills; able to prioritize and meet tight deadlines
• Highly self‑motivated, proactive, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Skilled in coaching and training others to a high standard
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills; able to build strong relationships and gain buy‑in from stakeholders at all levels
• A strategic thinker with a willingness to dive into detail and execute operational tasks
• A high level of commitment to excellence and first‑class client service
• Must be an independent, self-driven professional who can work autonomously while building strong collaborative relationships

Reports to: Associate Director New Business Intake Operations

Position type: In Market

Development framework: Specialist

Established in 1998, Wong & Partners is a Malaysian law firm dedicated to providing solution-oriented legal services to our clients. As a member firm of Baker McKenzie International, we bring a unique combination of local knowledge and global experience to every matter. Our lawyers strive to help our clients achieve industry-specific, innovative and practical solutions for their legal needs in Malaysia, throughout Asia and beyond. Many of our practitioners have been recognized by reputable legal directories such as Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 and the Firm is also the proud recipient of various awards and accolades, being a seven-time winner of the Malaysian Firm of the Year Award at the Euromoney Women in Business Law Awards and two-time winner of the Malaysia Law Firm of the Year Award at the Asian Legal Business Malaysia Law Awards, among many others.