OGC Counsel - Laterals

Latham & Watkins; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401k plan

Paid time off

Well-being programs

Professional development

Employee discounts

Job summary

Latham & Watkins, a leading global law firm, seeks an OGC Counsel – Laterals to support lateral attorney hiring and onboarding for the US region. Based in New York, the role coordinates conflicts clearance, onboarding, and new business intake with senior stakeholders and internal teams.

The candidate will guide lateral partner candidates, ensure compliance with firm policy, and manage multiple matters concurrently while protecting confidential information. Hybrid/in-office roles available.

Qualifications

• Experience handling conflicts clearance in a law firm setting.
• Ability to advise Ethics Committee Members and stakeholders on policy.
• Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication to senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Apply ethics and responsibility rules to advise the Ethics Committee and stakeholders.
• Oversee conflicts clearance, coordinating with Candidates, Conflicts team, and GC Office.
• Guide lateral partner candidates through conflicts, onboarding, and new business intake processes.
• Collaborate with leadership, recruiting, practice groups, and risk teams to ensure compliant onboarding.
• Track multiple matters and deadlines with professionalism.
• Protect highly sensitive and confidential information.

Skills

Conflicts of interest

Ethics & compliance

Communication with stakeholders

Lateral hiring experience

Onboarding coordination

Policy guidance

Education

JD or equivalent degree

Job description

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers around the world. Our investment in people, commitment to innovation, and focus on the future empower you to build an incredible career and thrive as an exceptional professional in a supportive culture. If you aspire to be the best, and work with the best, this is where you belong.

About The Role

The OGC Counsel – Laterals is an integral part of Latham’s Office of the General Counsel team. This role will be responsible for supporting the firm’s lateral attorney hiring and onboarding process, with a focus on the US region, while serving as the primary point of coordination for lateral partner and counsel hiring matters, managing timelines, communications, and next steps between multiple business service teams and senior stakeholders. This role will be located in our New York office. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in‑office presence.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Applying knowledge of legal ethics and professional responsibility rules relating to lateral attorney and new matter conflicts of interest as well as relevant Latham procedures, policies, and practices to advise Ethics Committee Members and other attorneys and key stakeholders


• Overseeing and directing the conflicts clearance process, ensuring seamless communication between candidates, the Conflicts team, the Office of the General Counsel, and other stakeholders, and identifying and escalating key issues, ensuring conflicts issues and resolutions are understood by all stakeholders, and helping drive resolutions that align with firm policy and business goals


• Liaising directly with lateral partner candidates, guiding them through conflicts, new business, and onboarding requirements, gathering necessary information, and serving as a knowledgeable and professional firm contact and training and supporting candidates on firm policies and the new business intake process, in coordination with relevant internal teams


• Collaborating with firm leadership, partner recruiting and onboarding teams, practice group leaders, and risk management teams to ensure smooth, efficient, and compliant onboarding, and working closely with the Vice General Counsel and Deputies General Counsel to develop and improve internal guidance and procedures, checklists, and materials related to lateral integration


• Tracking and managing multiple active matters simultaneously, balancing competing deadlines with professionalism and clarity


• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Possess strong familiarity with conflicts or similar risk management processes in a law firm setting


• Exhibit well-developed and professional interpersonal skills and the ability to engage diplomatically and clearly with senior stakeholders, lateral candidates, and internal teams


• Display strong communication skills, both written and oral

And have:

• A JD or equivalent degree


• Qualifications to practice law in any jurisdiction where Latham maintains an office (EMEA or U.S.) and active status


• A minimum of seven (7) years relevant legal experience, preferably in a global law firm setting or in‑house legal department

Benefits & Additional Information

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance


• A generous 401k plan


• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure


• Well‑being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well‑being events, and more)


• Professional development programs


• Employee discounts


• Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

Pay Range

USD $170,000.00 - USD $210,000.00 /Yr.