Conflicts Analyst — Hybrid (Legal Compliance & Research)

Foley & Lardner LLP; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Foley & Lardner LLP in Chicago seeks a Conflicts Analyst to independently manage the conflicts research and clearance process for proposed new business. You will prepare analyses, resolve conflicts, and draft engagement and waiver letters while coordinating with partners and risk stakeholders.

The role supports timely new business intake, ensures compliance with professional conduct rules, and requires collaboration across practice groups and offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a professional environment or two (2) years of related experience in a legal environment required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of conflicts analysis experience required.
• Strong issue identification, research and analytical skills
• Strong communication, customer service, attention to detail and organizational skills
• Proven ability to provide high quality, accurate and efficient work product in a high volume environment
• Demonstrated ability to perform all functions of the conflicts process

Responsibilities

• Performs in-depth conflicts research related to proposed new business of the firm, using internal and external databases to identify client relationships, corporate structures, affiliates, and other relevant connections that may present possible conflicts of interest; applies experience and judgement to determine the appropriate scope and depth of research.
• Independently manages the new business conflicts research and identification process from initial submission through resolution and clearance, taking ownership of follow-up, documentation, and timely completion.
• Reviews requests for completeness, anticipates additional information needed, and communicates directly with partners, associates, and business professionals to obtain missing, incomplete, or clarifying information needed for conflicts review while minimizing unnecessary delays.
• Prepares written conflicts analyses, identifies potential conflicts of interest, and evaluates issues under firm policies and applicable rules of professional conduct. Communicates findings and recommendations to submitting attorneys with limited guidance.
• Develops effective working relationships with attorneys and risk stakeholders across practice groups and offices, adapting communication style as appropriate to facilitate the timely identification and resolution of conflicts.
• Exercises sound judgement in distinguishing routine matters from novel, complex, or high-risk issues and escalates concerns promptly as appropriate.
• Drafts engagement letters, conflict waiver letters, and related documentation needed to support matter opening and compliance requirements.
• Maintain and organizes multiple pending requests simultaneously and provides submitting attorneys and assistants with timely updates regarding the status of conflicts clearance efforts throughout the conflicts and intake process.
• Documents the results of conflicts review and resolutions in Intapp Open request forms and other firm systems as required.
• Triages and independently responds to end-user questions and concerns related to conflicts searches, intake requirements, and clearance status.
• Works with the Deputy General Counsel and Professional Responsibility Counsel, when needed, to ensure conflicts are appropriately addressed and engagement terms satisfy ethical requirements and firm business needs.
• Coordinates with the Conflicts & New Business Intake (CNB) Senior Manager to ensure any required ethical screens are established promptly once a client or matter is opened.
• Runs Dow Jones Risk Center checks, subject matter checks for patent prosecution matters, rush checks, and reviews change reports from billing system on a rotational basis.
• Balances multiple competing priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and accuracy under deadline pressure.
• Processes requests promptly and efficiently while remaining mindful of business realities and client service needs.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Foley & Lardner LLP in Chicago seeks a Conflicts Analyst to independently manage the conflicts research and clearance process for proposed new business. You will prepare analyses, resolve conflicts, and draft engagement and waiver letters while coordinating with partners and risk stakeholders.

The role supports timely new business intake, ensures compliance with professional conduct rules, and requires collaboration across practice groups and offices.