Conflicts Attorney

BakerHostetler; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

BakerHostetler seeks a Conflicts Attorney for its West Coast offices. This exempt role reports to the Senior Manager of Intake Services and supports conflict clearance for new matters, hires, and mergers.

You will coordinate workflows, improve processes, and contribute to automation efforts to ensure accurate, timely conflict analysis. The role requires a JD, 5+ years at a mid-size to large firm, and strong knowledge of ethics, risk, and professional responsibility rules.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited institution and good standing to a state bar with a firm office
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a lawyer in a mid-size to large law firm
• Knowledge of ethical, legal and risk management rules governing conflicts and related compliance
• Ability to initiate and complete time-sensitive projects with minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with partners, attorneys and staff
• Proven leadership skills and ability to provide direction
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Independent thinking and decisive judgment
• Experience with conflict check software (InTapp Open preferred)

Responsibilities

• Assist in identifying, resolving and clearing conflicts of interest for new matters, hires, and acquisitions
• Provide waiver and engagement letter exemplars; draft and review waivers and letters for compliance
• Analyze information for compliance with Firm policies and professional rules
• Review client outside guidelines and assess the Firm’s ability to comply
• Stay current on conflicts management trends and identify improvement opportunities
• Coordinate with Intake Services managers to apply best practices and QA protocols
• Develop and implement conflicts training for newly hired staff
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Conflict of interest

Professional responsibility

Leadership

Time management

Interpersonal communication

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

InTapp Open

Automated conflict check software

Job description

Our Intake Services department has an excellent opportunity for a Conflicts Attorney in the West Coast offices. This is an exempt position that reports to the Senior Manager of Intake Services. This role will assist in conflict of interest clearance for new business, attorney and staff hires, and acquisitions/mergers of other law firms. Coordinates workflow and personnel activities to assure optimal efficiency, accuracy and timely output as well as works to continuously improve processes and implement automation with regard to conflicts analysis.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the identification, resolution and clearance of potential or actual conflicts of interest as they related to new Firm representation or lateral personnel.
• Provide waiver and engagement letter exemplars upon request, assist in drafting waivers and engagement letters, review waiver and engagement letters received from clients to ensure that required conditions have been met.
• Analyze information provided with new matter requests for compliance with Firm policies and applicable rules of professional responsibility, reviews and edits draft engagement letters for compliance with same.
• Review client outside counsel guidelines and assists with assessment of Firm’s ability to comply.
• Keep current on trends within the topic of conflicts of interest management and identify areas of potential improvement.
• Coordinate with Intake Services managers and supervisors to develop and apply best practice recommendations and quality assurance protocols to ensure consistent conflict analysis.
• Develop and implement conflicts training programs for newly hired staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• JD from an accredited institution and good standing to a state bar in which the Firm has a physical office is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a lawyer in a mid-size to large law firm is required. Significant experience in conflict of interest law and/or professional responsibility is preferred.
• Requires a comprehensive knowledge of applicable ethical, legal and risk management rules and requirements governing conflict of interest and the conflict resolution process as well as related compliance issues/guidelines applicable to international law firms.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, follow through and complete time-sensitive projects with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work effectively and provide a quality work product under extremely tight deadline pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of personnel effectively and efficiently with tact and diplomacy. Interpersonal communication skills necessary to maintain effective relationships with partners, attorneys and staff.
• Proven leadership skills and ability to effectively provide direction.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Exhibit independent thinking and decision making.
• Excellent computer skills. Must possess experience with automated conflict check software. InTapp Open software experience preferred.

The expected annual salary for this position ranges from $85,000 – 120,000. The salary offered will be determined by a wide range of factors including but not limited to experience level, education/training, and relevant skills.

BakerHostetler offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit program including group health, dental and vision insurance, vacation (15 days) prorated in the year of hire, paid holidays (10 days), 401(k) plan, parental leave (10 weeks, not including disability, where applicable, and accrued vacation), family care program, wellness program, life and accident insurance, and short and long-term disability.