Conflicts Attorney (Lateral Recruitment Focus)

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer in New York seeks an experienced Conflicts Attorney focused on lateral recruitment. You will split time between general conflicts clearance and clearing lateral candidates, onboarding, client transfers, and matter openings for new hires.

You will work with recruiting, practice leadership, and compliance teams to assess client portfolios and ensure adherence to firm policies and regulatory rules. Strong communication and research skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Licensed attorney in NY or another US state.
• Experience in conflicts of interest and/or professional development is preferred but not essential.
• Strong risk awareness and discretion in a law-firm context.

Responsibilities

• Split time between general conflicts clearance and lateral conflicts clearance.
• Assist onboarding, client transfers, and matter openings for lateral hires.
• Review conflict submissions and conduct applicable external research.
• Communicate with lateral candidates about conflicts; coordinate with practice groups.
• Advise on conflicts provisions in engagement terms and outside counsel guidelines.
• Help establish and update risk management policies with NBE&R and IHC.
• Support information barrier processes and regulatory reporting.
• Maintain accurate records in conflicts and intake systems.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Research skills

Analytical skills

Trust & confidentiality

Multi-tasking

Commercial awareness

Education

Licensed attorney in NY or US state

Tools

Intapp Open

Job description

Title: Conflicts Attorney (Lateral Recruitment Focus)

Reporting to: Heads of Conflicts

Location(s): New York

Key internal relationships:

• The New Business Intake (\"NBI\") team, consisting of a network of analysts and attorneys in the US, the UK and Australia
• Chief New Business & Enterprise Risk Officer
• Head of Partner Recruitment and Integration, US
• The Matter Management, Financial Crimes, and Operational Excellence teams within the NBE&R umbrella.
• Business Development and In House Counsel (\"IHC\") teams
• US General Counsel (also the Money Laundering Compliance Officer).
• Regional Practice Group Heads, Sector Leads and Client Relationship Partners and the Conflicts Partners
• Partners, fee-earners

Key responsibilities:

• Time will be split between general conflicts clearance and supporting lateral conflicts clearance, onboarding, client transfers, and matter openings for lateral partners and other new hires.
• Work closely with recruiting, business development, practice leadership, and administrative teams to help facilitate smooth intake and transition processes.
• Review incoming conflict check submission forms, review conflicts and identify potential issues, conduct external research as needed.
• Communicate effectively with lateral candidates about potential conflicts; liase with practice group and sector leads to assess the lateral candidate's client portfolio within the context of the Firm's strategic growth priorities
• Provide assistance, support, and analysis to the firm on a range of compliance topics centered on conflicts of interest, new business intake, and client due diligence processes.
• Assess potential new clients and matters for the firm in accordance with applicable professional conduct rules, and relevant domestic and overseas regulatory requirements. Collaborate with or elevate issues to the Financial Crime team where appropriate. Familiarity with Intapp Open software is a plus.
• Consult with and advise Conflicts Analysts and foreign-qualified lawyers on legal and ethical questions under US law as needed, serving as an escalation point for more complex clearances.
• Review and provide guidance on conflicts provisions in engagement terms, outside counsel guidelines, and requests for proposal; draft conflict of interest waivers as appropriate.
• Contribute to establishing, updating, and implement risk management policies, controls, and procedures in coordination with the NBE&R team, the IHC team, and other firm stakeholders.
• Conduct research and provide support to partners, fee-earners, and business services teams on applicable rules of professional conduct, applicable legislation, regulations, and firm policies relating to, ethics, regulatory compliance, and new business acceptance matters.
• Assist with monitoring changes to the legal and regulatory landscape in which the firm operates, particularly changes affecting new and existing clients; provide support to the team and other firm stakeholders in adapting policies and procedures as appropriate.

Other

• Support information barrier processes, compliance audits, and regulatory reporting across jurisdictions.
• Contribute to the development, testing, and implementation of new intake software, processes, and strategic projects.
• Comply with WHS obligations and responsibilities in accordance with the requirements for this role.
• Maintain accurate records in conflicts and intake systems.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Admitted as an Attorney in New York or another US State.
• Prior experience in conflicts of interests and/or professional development or human resources in a law firm context is preferred but not essential as full training on the firm systems and policies will be provided.
• Demonstrated commercial awareness and understanding of risk in a law firm environment,
• Must demonstrate a high degree of trustworthiness commensurate with handling confidential and sensitive material
• Ability to multi-task and effectively prioritize multiple deadlines.
• Effective verbal, written and face-to-face communication skills with a variety of staff including senior partners and legal assistants.
• Excellent research and analytical skills with a focus on accuracy and attention to detail.

Success Factors

• Delivers high quality work with guidance and support as needed
• Shows willingness to take on new tasks and learn from experience
• Is open to change and builds new knowledge and skills to grow in the role

Creating Great Results

• Seeks to understand stakeholder needs and supports practical solutions
• Builds trust by providing reliable support in their area of responsibility
• Communicates clearly and adapts approach with support for different audiences

Supporting and Developing Others

• Contributes positively as a team member
• Shares knowledge and supports colleagues when appropriate
• Works collaboratively within the department and with other teams

Enhancing the Firm

• Develops an understanding of the firm's strategic growth priorities and risk considerations
• Recognizes when to escalation competing issues or seek guidance
• Suggests process improvements and shares observations on changes affecting the team

As part of our commitment to professional growth and high performance, all our people are expected to demonstrate behaviors and skills in line with our global competency frameworks. These frameworks cover key areas, which provide clear guidance on what good looks like and support development at every stage of your career with us:

• Personal Leadership
• Builds Authentic Relationships
• Collaborates with Others
• Enhances the Client Experience
• Achieves Results

While specific competencies may vary depending on role level, we encourage everyone to aim to perform in line with their relevant framework.

Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience and the salary range is $180,000-$215,000.