Conflicts Attorney

WFB Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 166,790 - 266,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual discretionary bonus

401(k) plan

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off starting at 20 days

Parental leave

Formal holiday schedule

Family care benefits

Job summary

Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP is seeking a Conflicts Attorney to review, research, and resolve conflicts for new business and lateral hires. You will advise firm lawyers on conflicts of interest and provide strategic legal guidance on complex matters.

Responsibilities include drafting waivers, managing a large conflicts workload, and training staff, with emphasis on independent analysis and ethical decision-making across U.S. and international offices.

Qualifications

• Qualified candidates must have a Juris Doctorate and a minimum of five years of practice experience.
• At least two years as a Conflicts Attorney or equivalent senior-level conflict/ethics experience.
• Active bar membership in required jurisdiction and strong knowledge of professional responsibility rules.

Responsibilities

• Independently analyze conflicts of interest on new business, lateral hires, and mergers.
• Draft waivers and advise on withdrawal and screening ethics with minimal supervision.
• Lead small projects and coordinate workload coverage within the department.
• Provide strategic legal advice on complex conflicts issues to firm lawyers.
• Perform legal research and prepare memoranda for firm stakeholders and committees.
• Identify potential problems from complex factual scenarios and advise accordingly.
• Negotiate between lawyers to resolve disputes over conflicts and waivers.
• Train firm personnel on conflicts issues and best practices.
• Be present during scheduled hours and contribute to department leadership as needed.

Skills

Conflicts analysis

Ethics guidance

Legal research

Drafting waivers

Negotiation

Independent work

Project leadership

Training others

Communication skills

Policy interpretation

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Job Description

Ashurst Perkins Coie is looking for a Conflicts Attorney to independently review, research, and resolve conflicts issues related to new business and firm lateral hires. The role requires advising firm lawyers on conflicts of interest, ensuring compliance with ethical standards, and providing strategic legal advice on complex matters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Independently analyze conflicts of interest on new business, firm lateral hires, and merger candidates.
• Resolve issues that arise in such matters with little to no supervision, including drafting waivers and advising on ethical issues related to withdrawal and screening.
• Resolve conflicts issues related to firm lateral hires.
• Manage a large conflicts workload with no supervision, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Handle sensitive and confidential issues concerning practice management and firm ethics.
• Provide training on conflicts issues to firm personnel.
• Lead small projects and coordinate workload coverage.
• Provide backup to department Directors when needed.
• Act as a strategic legal advisor to firm lawyers on complex and sensitive conflicts of interest issues.
• Perform legal research and prepare legal memoranda for requests from firm lawyers, managers, claims counsel, and various committees.
• Analyze complex factual situations to identify potential problems.
• Draft complex waivers, engagement letters, and joint representation letters in final format.
• Negotiate between lawyers to resolve disputes over conflicts and waivers.
• Perform other related legal work as needed.
• Be present at work during regularly scheduled working hours and as required by 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.
• Excellent oral and written communication across U.S. and international offices, providing timely information.
• Deep understanding of jurisdictional differences in rule application and choice-of-law analysis.
• Ability to make decisions and act independently without having the complete picture.
• Sound judgment and the ability to arrive at good decisions based on analysis, experience, and wisdom.
• Comprehensive understanding of a wide range of legal matters, including transaction roles and litigation procedures such as depositions, subpoenas, co‑defendants, and comparative fault.
• Solid grasp of business organizations and financing concepts.
• Creative problem‑solving skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Efficient time management, focusing on priority tasks.
• Minimal supervision needed on independent assignments.
• Respect for teamwork and collaboration across the department and firm.
• Professional communication of firm and department management decisions.
• Strong interpersonal skills, building constructive relationships with all levels of staff.
• Proven ability to resolve conflicts of interest for challenging personalities and groups.
• Comprehensive understanding of the lateral hire process.

SPECIFIC SKILLS PREFERRED

• Understanding of litigation practice and working knowledge of law firm processes.
• Ability to identify procedural problems and determine appropriate relationships.
• Experience with legal research and writing, managing multiple tasks with varying importance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Qualified candidates must have a Juris Doctorate and a minimum of five (5) years of practice experience, including at least two (2) years as a Conflicts Attorney or equivalent senior-level conflict/ethics experience. Candidates must be active members in good standing in any required jurisdiction and possess strong working knowledge of professional responsibility rules.

BENEFITS

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

COMPENSATION RANGES

Colorado: $158,120 – $252,830 annually
Illinois: $166,870 – $266,830 annually
New York: $183,470 – $293,370 annually
Washington State: $166,790 – $266,700 annually
Washington, D.C.: $180,130 – $288,040 annually

LEGAL NOTICE

Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP and/or its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other category prohibited by law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, social and recreational activities, and termination.