Conflicts Attorney

Ashurst Perkins Coie; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 166,000 - 293,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off program (20 days)

Parental leave

Job summary

Ashurst Perkins Coie is seeking a Conflicts Attorney to perform conflicts analysis on new business and lateral hires, advising firm lawyers on conflicts of interest issues, independently reviewing, researching, and resolving conflicts related to new business and staff personnel, ensuring compliance with ethical standards across all jurisdictions and firm policies.

For purposes of complying with Export Control laws, candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and at least five years of practice experience, including two years as a Conflicts Attorney I or equivalent senior‑level conflict/ethics experience.
• Active member in good standing in any required jurisdiction.
• Strong working knowledge of professional responsibility laws and relevant issues.
• Demonstrated success in a high‑stress environment.

Responsibilities

• Independently analyze conflicts on new business, firm lateral hires, and merger candidates; resolve issues with minimal supervision, including drafting waivers and advising on withdrawal and screening.
• Resolve conflicts related to firm lateral hires.
• Manage a large conflicts workload with little to no supervision and meet deadlines.
• Manage sensitive and confidential issues related to practice management and firm ethics; provide training on conflict issues.
• Lead small projects and coordinate workload coverage.
• Provide backup to department directors as needed.
• Act as a strategic legal advisor to firm lawyers on complex and sensitive conflicts of interest issues.
• Perform legal research and prepare memoranda for firm lawyers, managers, claims counsel, and committees.
• Analyze complex factual situations, identify potential problems, and draft complex waivers, engagement, and joint representation letters.
• Negotiate between lawyers over disputes concerning contracts and waivers; perform other related legal work as required.
• Maintain presence during scheduled working hours, in line with the Firm’s attendance expectations.

Skills

Rules of Conduct

Database skills

Oral & Written

Jurisdictional knowledge

Decisive judgment

Conflict resolution

Business transactions knowledge

Teamwork

Education

Juris Doctorate

Active bar in required jurisdiction

Tools

Legal research databases

Job description

Job Summary

Ashurst Perkins Coie is seeking a Conflicts Attorney to perform conflicts analysis on new business and lateral hires, advising firm lawyers on conflicts of interest issues, independently reviewing, researching, and resolving conflicts related to new business and staff personnel, ensuring compliance with ethical standards across all jurisdictions and firm policies.

For purposes of complying with Export Control laws, candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Essential Functions

• Independently analyze conflicts on new business, firm lateral hires, and merger candidates; resolve issues with minimal supervision, including drafting waivers and advising on withdrawal and screening.
• Resolve conflicts related to firm lateral hires.
• Manage a large conflicts workload with little to no supervision and meet deadlines.
• Manage sensitive and confidential issues related to practice management and firm ethics; provide training on conflict issues.
• Lead small projects and coordinate workload coverage.
• Provide backup to department directors as needed.
• Act as a strategic legal advisor to firm lawyers on complex and sensitive conflicts of interest issues.
• Perform legal research and prepare memoranda for firm lawyers, managers, claims counsel, and committees.
• Analyze complex factual situations, identify potential problems, and draft complex waivers, engagement, and joint representation letters.
• Negotiate between lawyers over disputes concerning contracts and waivers; perform other related legal work as required.
• Maintain presence during scheduled working hours, in line with the Firm’s attendance expectations.

Specific Skills Required

• Thorough knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct and their application to legal practice.
• Strong database skills.
• Effective oral and written communication across U.S. and international offices.
• Solid understanding of jurisdictional differences in rule application and risk analysis.
• Ability to act decisively without a complete picture.
• Judgmental decision making that blends analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.
• Broad legal knowledge of matters such as parties and roles in transactions, litigation procedures, depositions, subpoenas, co‑defendants, and comparative fault.
• Deep understanding of business organizations and financing concepts.
• Creative problem‑solving and high attention to detail.
• Time‑management focused on priorities.
• Minimal supervision needed on independent assignments.
• Understanding and respect for teamwork and adherence to procedures in international offices.
• Professional communication of firm and department management decisions.
• Interpersonal skills with various organizational levels.
• Proven ability to resolve conflicts of interest for challenging personalities and groups/offices.
• Complete understanding of the lateral hire process.

Specific Skills Preferred

• Understanding of litigation practice and law firm processes.
• Ability to detect procedural problems and determine appropriate relationships.
• Experience with legal research and writing; independently manage multiple tasks of varying importance.

Education and Experience

• Juris Doctorate and at least five years of practice experience, including two years as a Conflicts Attorney I or equivalent senior‑level conflict/ethics experience.
• Active member in good standing in any required jurisdiction.
• Strong working knowledge of professional responsibility laws and relevant issues.
• Demonstrated success in a high‑stress environment.

Benefits

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, a 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, an accrued paid time off plan beginning at 20 days annually, personal medical and parental leave, up to ten paid holidays, and family care benefits.

Location and Compensation

• Position available at locations in Colorado, Illinois, New York, Washington state, and Washington, D.C.
• Colorado: $158,120 to $252,830 annually
• Illinois: $166,870 to $266,830 annually
• New York: $183,470 to $293,370 annually
• Washington state: $166,790 to $266,700 annually
• Washington, D.C.: $180,130 to $288,040 annually