Conflicts and Risk Attorney

Hecker Fink LLP; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Hecker Fink LLP is seeking a Conflicts and Risk Attorney to support the General Counsel’s Office and the Conflicts and Matter Intake Department. The role involves managing risk exposure, advising on conflicts and regulatory issues, and shaping firm processes.

The candidate will supervise intake, review client engagements, and participate in onboarding and matter openings for lateral partners, with opportunities to affect policy and procedures across the firm.

Qualifications

• You hold a law degree and are admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• You have at least 4 years’ experience as a qualified lawyer, preferably in a leading law firm.
• Experience in compliance, conflicts, risk management, or business acceptance is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise conflicts and new matter intake processes and personnel; resolve potential conflicts and oversee client KYC.
• Research questions from partners and staff regarding law, regulations, and firm policies on conflicts and compliance.
• Review and advise on client engagement letters, outside counsel guidelines, vendor contracts, and other firm agreements; draft conflict waivers.
• Assist in reviewing potential new hire conflicts and facilitate onboarding, transfers, and matter openings for lateral partners.
• Stay informed on regulatory frameworks in NY, CA, and DC; advise on changes affecting the firm and clients.
• Identify and implement system improvements and automation to enhance department quality and efficiency.
• Assist with professional insurance renewals and insurer communications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Drafting skills

Communication

Problem solving

Organization

Initiative

Teamwork

Education

J.D. or equivalent law degree

Tools

Aderant

Sharepoint

Copilot

Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

Hecker Fink LLP is currently accepting applications for a Conflicts and Risk Attorney to support the firm’s General Counsel’s Office and Conflicts and Matter Intake Department. The successful candidate will play a key role in managing the firm’s risk exposure and providing advice on a range of legal and compliance issues—with significant room to take initiative and play an impactful role in continuing to build our successful and growing organization—and will report directly to the firm’s Deputy General Counsel.

Hecker Fink LLP brings together a high-stakes, cutting-edge litigation practice serving clients across a wide range of practice areas, including commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense and internal investigations, employment and discrimination, and complex regulatory and securities matters. The firm has also built a pioneering public interest practice geared to the great and urgent challenges of our time. Since the firm’s founding, we have achieved tremendous success and growth and seek motivated and talented professionals to join our team.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the firm’s conflicts and new matter intake processes and personnel, resolving potential conflicts, overseeing client KYC, and recommending enhancements to the firms’ processes and procedures.
• Conduct research in response to questions from partners, associates, and staff at all levels across the firm regarding applicable law, regulations, and firm policies pertaining to conflicts of interest, ethics, and regulatory compliance.
• Review and advise on client engagement letters, outside counsel guidelines, vendor contracts, and other firm agreements; draft conflict waivers.
• Assist in reviewing potential new hire conflicts of interest and help facilitate seamless onboarding, client transfers, and matter openings for lateral partners.
• Understand, keep abreast of changes in, and assist in advising the partnership regarding the regulatory frameworks the firm operates in, particularly developments in New York, California, and Washington, D.C., and the firm’s client base.
• Strategically identify new systems and procedures, including the use of automation, to improve the quality and efficiency of the department (e.g., new and creative solutions to common problems, suggesting policy updates, or drafting FAQs).
• Assist in managing the firm’s professional insurance coverages, including by contributing to renewal applications and claims-related communications with insurers.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned that are reasonable and appropriate for the position.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a combination of employment, educational, and life experience that demonstrates the qualities and skills below:

• Education and Experience: You hold a law degree and are admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. You have at least 4 years’ experience working as a qualified lawyer, preferably
• within a leading law firm. Experience working as a lawyer in a compliance, conflicts, risk management, or business acceptance department of a large law firm or similar background in
• risk management or professional responsibility/attorney ethics is preferred.
• Knowledge and Skills: You have strong analytical skills and ability to grasp relevant issues quickly and to understand complex conflicts and regulatory issues affecting law firms. You have excellent drafting skills. You have a high level of IT skills, including familiarity with applications such as Sharepoint, Copilot, Word, Outlook, and Excel as well as web-based and general research skills. Working knowledge of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct and their practical application in a law firm is required. Experience with Aderant or similar conflicts management software is preferred.
• Clear Communication and Attention to Detail: You are able to give clear advice succinctly, both verbally and in writing, on complex issues. You have a meticulous approach to maintaining concise, up-to-date, and accurate records of matters dealt with and advice provided. You have been used to working to very high standards of accuracy and efficiency, balanced with a practical, common sense approach.
• Confidentiality and Professionalism: You demonstrate a high level of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism. You must be able to adhere to Firm policies regarding the protection of confidential data and demonstrate sensitivity to (and good judgment in connection with) confidential attorney, personnel, and firm matters.
• Problem-Solving and Initiative: You take ownership of your projects and follow through on their completion. You proactively anticipate, communicate, and work to independently resolve obstacles you encounter in your work. You possess a strong customer-service orientation and ability to work well within a team and are able to establish and maintain strong working relationships with employees and partners.
• Organization, Project Management, and Flexibility: You are comfortable balancing tasks of varying levels of urgency and complexity in an environment where your responsibilities may vary from day to day. You work well under pressure with tight deadlines. You are versatile and able to respond quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities. You are flexible to be available after hours to assist with projects as assigned. You demonstrate a “no job too big, no job too small” attitude, and take a collaborative, team‑focused approach to rejuggling priorities and contributing to tasks across the firm.
• Mission Orientation: You are enthusiastic and passionate about our commitment to our clients and the public interest. You thrive when your work is connected to purpose.

In addition, the successful candidate will be based in the New York or Washington, D.C. area or willing to relocate and will be available to work 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday. This is a hybrid position.

Compensation

The expected base salary for this role ranges from $165,000 - $225,000 and is dependent on experience.

Additional Information

You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by your hire date to be eligible for starting in the role.

Hecker Fink LLP is committed to fostering a workplace in which individuals from all backgrounds are welcomed, treated with respect, and given every opportunity to contribute, develop, lead, and reach their highest potential. As an equal opportunity employer, it is the firm’s policy to ensure all employment decisions are made without discrimination based on race, color, religion or religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, disability, age, military or veteran status, marital status or civil partnership status, pregnancy or related medical conditions, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local civil rights law, ordinance or regulation. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, placement, leaves of absence, compensation and all other terms and conditions of employment. Hecker Fink provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with a disability in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Please note that applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

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