Los Angeles - Conflicts Attorney

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Conflicts Attorney, you will support the firm's programs including new business and conflicts intake, lateral hiring, firm growth initiatives, and general regulatory risk management. You will be an important resource to the firm and the Conflicts team on the identification, substantive analysis and resolution of ethical conflicts, firm business issues and related regulatory compliance issues. You will be responsible for all facets of the conflicts search process including the resolution of conflicts and drafting and review of supporting documentation including standard or bespoke engagement letters and waivers/consents.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review and process complex new client and new matter requests and conduct searches on the firm's databases; prepare and conduct searches related to lateral hiring and firm growth initiatives; and/or have primary responsibility for general regulatory risk management functions including: outside counsel guidelines review, third-party contract review, preparation of compliance questionnaires, ethical walls, and secondments
• Research various entities using a variety of internal and third-party resources
• Analyze search results in accordance with applicable ethical rules and firm policies
• Perform legal research as necessary
• Propose issue resolution in a clear concise manner for firm attorneys
• Draft and review standard and non-standard engagement letters and waivers/consents
• Confirm the need for ethical walls and draft memorandum for firmwide distribution
• Work with firm lawyers, Assistant General Counsel and Senior Conflicts Attorneys to analyze and resolve complex conflict issues
• Review and approve new client and new matter forms prepared by Conflict Analysts
• Educate, train and act as a resource for members of the Conflicts Department regarding basic analyst skills, legal analysis, firm policy and procedures
• Be available to cover urgent conflict issues outside of normal department business hours
• Participate in the implementation, testing, and review of new software systems
• Assist with Conflicts Department projects and special requests as assigned
• Responsible for covering after hours/weekend on-call shifts at the discretion of Conflicts Department Management

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• A J.D. degree and an active license to practice law in the United States required
• Two or more years of relevant professional experience in a law firm Conflicts environment or equal experience practicing law
• Must live within a commutable distance to the local office required.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat; ability to adapt to new software applications desired
• Proficiency in Intapp products preferred

COMPETENCIES:

• Substantive knowledge of American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct
• Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to exercise independent judgement
• Proven ability to identify and articulate potential ethical and business issues in relationship to the nature of a new representation and/or lateral hire conflict clearance, and to effectively resolve issues consistent with ethical standards and firm policy
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Completes work (including analyst reviews) by or before deadlines
• A customer service-oriented manner
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize, multitask and maintain a high-level work product, while working under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with members of the Conflicts team and other colleagues across the firm
• Takes initiative and responsibility for continued learning