Conflicts Attorney

Venable LLP; Tysons (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with firm profit share

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Family planning resources

Job summary

Venable LLP in Tysons, VA is seeking a Conflicts Attorney to evaluate and resolve conflicts for new business intake, matter openings, and lateral attorney onboarding. You will conduct complex analyses and advise firm leadership on risk and ethics to ensure compliance.

The role includes drafting waivers, screening ethics, reviewing Outside Counsel Guidelines, and maintaining high-quality conflicts data while supporting matter opening workflows and client updates.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with bar status in VA/MD/DC.
• Minimum 3 years of conflicts or professional responsibility experience in a mid-to-large firm.
• Experience drafting waivers and managing conflict-related disclosures.

Responsibilities

• Identify and analyze conflicts for existing and prospective clients using internal systems and external databases.
• Recommend conflict-resolution strategies, including ethical walls, disclosures, consent letters, and engagement modifications.
• Draft and maintain conflict waivers, disclosures, engagement letters, and supporting documentation.
• Review Outside Counsel Guidelines and engagement letters for conflicts-related provisions; advise on restrictions and required updates to internal data.
• Conduct conflicts analyses for lateral attorney candidates and coordinate resolutions with stakeholders to clear conflicts and prepare consent letters.
• Educate attorneys and staff on ethical obligations, conflicts procedures, and client relationship considerations.

Skills

Research & analysis

Written & verbal communication

Negotiation

Discretion & judgment

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Lexis

EDGAR

Hoover's

D&B

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 VA, MD or DC
• 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 Tysons, VA: $150,000 - $190,000 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. Additional compensation may include discretionary bonuses and overtime, if eligible. Overtime wages earned will be paid in compliance with applicable law.

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.