Conflicts Attorney (AmLaw20)

Plona Partners; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Plona Partners in Dallas is seeking a conflicts attorney for a hybrid role with 2–3 days onsite. You will review conflict of interest reports, identify potential conflicts, and help Partners and Associates resolve them.

You will draft engagement and waiver letters, review outside counsel guidelines, and coordinate with Partners to ensure waivers and ethical walls are properly implemented. Strong research and supervision skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of law firm experience in risk management or corporate compliance.
• Active bar license in at least one state and in good standing.
• Experience with conflicts identification and clearance at a large law firm.
• Experience researching jurisdiction-specific conflicts rules.
• Experience with document management/retention software used by major firms.
• Experience with computerized conflicts systems (Intapp Open, Walls, etc.).
• Ability to supervise Conflicts Analysts and train them on systems and workflow.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze new business conflict of interest reports; identify conflicts; assist Partners/Associates in resolution.
• Review lateral materials and COI reports; assist Partners/Firm Management in resolution.
• Provide concise summaries of potential conflict issues and steps for resolution.
• Conduct online searches to determine information about potential representations.
• Discuss COI and loss prevention with Partners, Associates, and New Business Analysts to resolve conflicts.
• Exercise discretion and independent professional judgment in COI identification and resolution.
• Draft engagement and waiver letters; ensure waivers are obtained before new clients/matters opened.
• Review language in waiver/engagement letters to address COI concerns.
• Review outside counsel guidelines for deviations; address with relevant Attorneys.
• Confirm need for ethical walls; manage Firm’s processes for walls.

Skills

Legal research

Conflict analysis

Communication

Supervision

Discretion

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Tools

Intapp Open

iManage

Elite

Hoovers

Dun & Bradstreet

Lexis/Westlaw

Job description

Location: Dallas, Houston Hybrid (2-3 days onsite)

Position: Conflicts Attorney

Law Firm: Top 50 Ranked Globally

Team Size: 15

Job Description:

• Review and analyze new business conflict of interest reports, identify potential conflicts of interest, and assist Partners/Associates in resolving them.
• Review and analyze lateral materials and conflict of interest reports and identify potential conflicts of interest; assist Partners and Firm Management in resolving same.
• Provide concise summaries of potential conflict issues and steps required for resolution.
• Conduct online searches and use web-based research tools, company websites and/or public databases to determine relevant information about potential representations.
• Discuss conflict of interest and loss prevention issues with Partners, Associates, New Business Analysts, etc. to identify and resolve potential conflicts of interest.
• Exercise discretion and independent professional judgment with respect to the identification and resolution of potential conflicts of interest.
• Draft clear engagement and waiver letters, as necessary, and follow up to ensure waivers are obtained before new clients/matters are opened.
• Review language in Partner/Associate drafted waiver and engagement letters to ensure that they adequately address conflicts concerns and engagement issues.
• Review outside counsel guidelines to identify deviations from the Firm’s engagement policies; work with relevant Attorneys to appropriately address deviations.
• Confirm need for ethical walls to screen individuals from particular clients and matters; manage and maintain the Firm’s processes for implementing walls.

Skills/Qualifications

• 3+ years of law firm experience, preferably in risk management or corporate compliance.
• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar licensure in at least one state and in good standing.
• Experience in conflicts identification and clearance at a large law firm.
• Experience with researching jurisdiction-specific rules as they relate to conflicts of interest.
• Experience with iManage or other document management/document retention software used by major law firms.
• Experience performing legal research and corporate family/affiliate research (Hoovers, Dun & Bradstreet, Lexis/Westlaw, etc.).
• Experience with Intapp Open, Walls, Terms and Elite or other computerized conflicts systems.
• Ability to supervise the work of Conflicts Analysts and train them as to system use, workflow and procedure.