Conflicts Attorney

Venable LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 145,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Venable LLP in Chicago is seeking a Conflicts Attorney to evaluate and resolve conflicts-of-interest for new business intake, matter openings, client updates, and lateral onboarding. You will conduct complex analyses, advise leadership on risk and ethics, and support matter openings with waivers and ethical screens.

You will review Outside Counsel Guidelines, engage with the Ethics Committee, and maintain high-quality conflicts data while educating staff on procedures and client relations.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active IL bar status.
• Minimum of 3 years conflicts or professional responsibility experience.
• Ability to analyze complex legal relationships and conflict scenarios.
• Private practice experience strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with conflicts/new-business intake systems and strong research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for firm leadership.
• Strong negotiation skills and consultative approach.
• High discretion with confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Identify and analyze conflicts for existing and prospective clients using internal systems and external databases.
• Recommend conflict-resolution strategies including ethical walls and engagement modifications.
• Draft and maintain conflict waivers, disclosures, and related documents.
• Review Outside Counsel Guidelines and engagement letters for conflicts provisions and updates.
• Conduct conflicts analyses for lateral candidates and prepare consent letters.
• Educate attorneys and staff on conflicts procedures, intake, and client relationships.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Negotiation skills

Discretion

Attention to detail

Client service

Deadline management

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Active IL Bar admission

Job description

The Conflicts Attorney is responsible for evaluating and resolving legal conflicts-of-interest for new business intake, matter openings, client updates, and lateral attorney onboarding. This role conducts complex conflicts analyses, advises attorneys and firm leadership on risk and ethics issues, and ensures compliance with professional responsibility rules and firm policies. The Conflicts Attorney also supports matter opening workflows, drafts waivers and ethical screens, reviews Outside Counsel Guidelines, and contributes to maintaining high-quality conflicts data and processes.

The Conflicts Attorney will be responsible for…

• Identifying and analyzing actual and potential conflicts for existing and prospective clients by conducting in-depth research using internal systems and external databases (e.g., Hoover’s, D&B, Lexis, EDGAR) and interpreting results to assess business and ethical risks
• Recommending and implementing conflict-resolution strategies, including ethical walls, disclosures, consent letters, and engagement modifications
• Drafting and maintaining conflict waivers, disclosures, engagement letter language, and supporting documentation
• Reviewing and analyzing Outside Counsel Guidelines and engagement letters for conflicts-related provisions; advise on restrictions, required screens, and necessary updates to internal data
• Conducting conflicts analyses for lateral attorney candidates, recommending and implementing resolutions with Division Managers and the Ethics Committee, communicating with stakeholders to clear conflicts, and preparing required consent letters and documentation before and after onboarding
• Educating attorneys and legal staff on ethical obligations, conflicts procedures, new business intake, and client relationship considerations

Successful candidates will demonstrate…

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar status in IL
• A minimum of 3 years of conflicts or professional responsibility experience in a mid-to-large, multi-practice law firm
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legal relationships, business structures, and conflict scenarios
• A minimum of 2 years of law practice experience in private practice strongly preferred
• Proficiency with conflicts/new-business intake systems and strong research and analytical skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make persuasive arguments and present nuanced analyses to all levels of firm leadership
• Strong negotiation skills and consultative approach when working with attorneys and staff
• High level of discretion, judgment, and diplomacy in handling sensitive and confidential information
• Strong attention to detail, client-service orientation, and responsiveness
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and meet tight deadlines
• Participation in the conflicts on-call rotation and ability to respond by phone to after-hours emergency conflict checks

Pay Range for Candidates in Chicago, IL: $145,000 - $180,000 per year

The range provided is the minimum and maximum salary that Venable in good faith believes at the time of this posting that it is willing to pay for the advertised position. Exact compensation will be determined based on individual candidate qualifications and location.

Committing your time and talent is no small matter—at Venable, we know that superior client service begins with an investment in our people. Our competitive compensation, robust benefits, and programs that support our employees' well-being, families, and futures reflect our dedication to prioritizing the whole person, not just the professional.

Venable's benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flexible spending and healthcare savings accounts, 401(k) with firm profit share, paid time off, firm paid holidays, wellness and personal advocacy programs, family planning resources and leave programs, tuition reimbursement, and more. New employees are provided a detailed orientation to the firm's benefit offerings upon hire.

Here, we strive to offer the kind of care that radiates, from our colleagues to our clients, to our communities, so that success finds everyone.