Conflicts Analyst (New Business)

Cooley LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 82,160 - 110,240; Full time

Job summary

Cooley LLP in Chicago seeks a Conflicts Analyst (New Business) to identify, analyze, and resolve conflicts for incoming matters and candidate engagements. The role requires independent judgment and thorough understanding of business needs when clearing work.

You will prepare conflict reports, conduct corporate research, draft waivers and engagement letters, and provide updates to attorneys and staff. Strong knowledge of ethics rules and experience in a law firm environment are preferred.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of conflict analysis experience in law firm or legal environment
• Experience reviewing and cleansing matters for conflicts of interest
• Knowledge of ABA Model Rules and professional conduct
• Proficiency with MS Office and document management systems
• Ability to conduct legal and corporate research

Responsibilities

• Analyze and process all conflict requests to ensure engagements are clear from business/ethical perspective
• Prepare conflict reports for related parties, including high-volume searches
• Perform corporate research to identify related parties and potential conflicts
• Identify existing and potential conflicts for each request from reports and documents
• Draft conflict waivers and engagement letters as needed
• Inform and advise attorneys on potential issues and proposed solutions
• Provide regular updates to attorneys and staff on conflict clearances
• Maintain conflict resolution notes for each request

Skills

Microsoft Office

iManage

IntApp Open

Contract Express

Legal research

Communication skills

ABA Model Rules

Corporate law

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree, JD

Tools

IntApp Open

Contract Express

Job description

Overview

Conflicts Analyst (New Business) – Cooley is seeking a Conflicts Analyst to join the Business Intake and Conflicts team.

Position summary: The Conflicts Analyst is responsible for the identification, analysis, and resolution of all conflicts requests, using independent judgment and demonstrating a thorough understanding of the business needs when clearing incoming work and candidates. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities:

• Analyze and process all conflict requests to ensure that all firm engagements and hires are clear from a business and ethical perspective
• Prepare database search terms and create conflicts reports for related parties, for all requests including high volume, bulk searches
• Perform corporate research to confirm the identity of related parties and address any potential conflicts or high-profile issues
• Identify existing and potential conflicts for each request by reviewing and analyzing conflicts reports and supporting documents
• Understand and interpret database results and conflicts reports for firm partners, counsel, attorneys and business professionals
• Prepare concise, comprehensive descriptions of prospective conflicts landscape based on the rules of professional conduct for attorneys and other submitters
• Interact regularly with partners - through email and telephone to investigate and discuss potential issues and propose solutions in connection with conflict clearances
• Provide regular updates to responsible attorneys and other users in connection with conflicts clearances
• Maintain conflicts resolution notes and responses for each request
• Request waivers for all matters requiring consent and confirm that all conflicts have been resolved
• Draft conflict waivers and engagement letters as necessary
• Inform and advise firm attorneys and counsel of any special circumstances surrounding complicated requests
• Draft and implement necessary ethical screens
• Awareness of current legal trends and information
• Perform conflicts case law and legal ethics research
• Provide conflicts training for secretaries, and other business professionals, as needed
• All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience:

Required:

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• Available to work overtime (including weekends if not part of ones dedicated schedule), as required
• Proficiency in IntApp Open and Contract Express or similar programs
• 2+ years direct applicable experience, which could include experience within a law firm, legal environment or conflicts department
• Knowledge of American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct and California State Bar Association's Rules of Professional Conduct
• Overall understanding of a corporate law practice
• Experience conducting legal and corporate research

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree, JD, knowledge and experience with complete conflicts resolution strongly preferred
• Paralegal Certificate preferred or completion of an ethics course in paralegal program
• Prior experience as a paralegal or legal researcher in a law firm

Competencies:

• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Good judgment, strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong organizational skills with attention to details
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, challenging environment
• Able to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks
• Capable of and comfortable with communicating professionally with attorneys, directors, and managers
• Ability to take on time sensitive matters while recognizing legal ethical rules
• Excellent customer service skills

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. EEO.

The expected hourly pay range for this position with a work schedule of 40 hours per week is $39.50 - $53.00 ($82,160.00 - $110,240.00 annually). Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 20 days of Paid Time Off ("PTO") and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.