Conflicts Counsel

Benesch; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 139,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Benesch in Cleveland seeks a Conflicts Counsel to support risk management by performing conflicts checks for new matters, hires, and acquisitions. The role blends policy development with day-to-day clearance processes and requires collaboration with senior leadership.

The ideal candidate holds a J.D. with 2+ years conflicts analysis in a large law firm, proficient in Intapp Open, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• J.D. and 2+ years of conflicts analysis experience in a large law firm is preferred.
• Proficient in interpreting conflicts reports and communicating findings clearly.
• Familiarity with ethical, legal, and risk-management rules governing conflicts of interest.

Responsibilities

• Conduct conflict checks for new clients, matters, hires, and acquisitions.
• Manage the firm-wide conflicts clearance process and assist in waivers and engagement letters.
• Consult with senior leaders to identify improvements and resource needs in conflicts management.
• Draft waivers and engagement letters and review letters to ensure conditions are met.
• Oversee Outside Counsel Guideline processes and stay current on conflicts trends.
• Train staff on conflicts/new business intake workflows.
• Keep up-to-date on conflicts of interest management developments.
• Assist with policy updates and other related projects.

Skills

Conflict analysis

Communication skills

Policy drafting

Education

J.D.

Tools

Intapp Open

Job description

Conflicts Counsel

Position located in our Cleveland office. This role is hybrid with work‑from‑home flexibility. The Conflicts Counsel plays a key role in our risk management department by assisting in conflicts of interest clearance for new business, attorney and staff hires, and acquisitions/mergers of other law firms. The position involves performing conflict checks, managing the firm‑wide conflicts clearance process, consulting with senior leaders, drafting waivers and engagement letters, managing the Outside Counsel Guideline process, conducting research, creating and updating policies, training staff, staying current on industry trends, and supporting other projects as needed.

Essential Functions

1. Conduct conflict checks after obtaining all relevant information on the parties, including affiliates and related parties.
2. Manage the firm‑wide conflicts clearance process for new clients/matters and lateral attorneys.
3. Consult regularly with General Counsel, Risk Management Officer, Conflicts and Intake Manager, and other stakeholders regarding conflict results and resolutions, recommending process improvements, and identifying needs for additional resources.
4. Provide waiver and engagement letter exemplars, assist in drafting waivers and engagement letters, and review received letters to ensure all required conditions have been met.
5. Manage the Outside Counsel Guideline process and review for potential issues.
6. Carry out research projects pertaining to ethical issues and provide best‑practice recommendations to senior leadership.
7. Assist with the creation, implementation, and updates to policies and procedures regarding matter maintenance, closings, and lateral arrival/departure processes.
8. Train secretarial and administrative staff on how to utilize the conflicts/new business intake workflow application.
9. Keep current on trends within conflicts of interest management.
10. Participate in other projects and tasks as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities: Perform other duties as assigned.

Confidentiality

Due to the nature of your employment, various documents and information, which are of a confidential nature, will come into your possession. Such documents and information must be kept confidential at all times.

Qualifications

• J.D. and 2+ years of experience performing conflicts analysis in a large law‑firm environment is preferred. • Excellent computer skills and experience with applicable automated conflict check software (Intapp Open software experience preferred). • Knowledge of applicable ethical, legal, and risk‑management rules governing conflict of interest and the conflict resolution process, including international law‑firm compliance. • Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to interpret and explain conflicts reports and to converse informatively with timekeepers. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently with all levels of personnel with tact and diplomacy.

The salary range for this position is $106,000 to $139,500. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that Benesch provides to compensate and recognize staff professionals. Full‑time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benesch is an equal‑opportunity employer. We strongly value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where the applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Applicants who require special assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability should contact the Benesch Human Resources Department at 216-363-4578 or email [e-mail].