Senior Conflicts Attorney

McDermott Will & Schulte; New York (NY); On-site; USD 167,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

McDermott Will & Schulte in New York seeks a Senior Conflicts Attorney to lead the conflicts clearance process for complex matters. This role ensures new matters and attorney hires comply with the firm’s policies, working with senior leadership to review escalated conflicts matters.

The Senior Conflicts Attorney will conduct conflict analyses, prepare and present reports, and collaborate with Partners and committees to maintain effective screening.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership required.
• 7+ years of related work experience in conflicts and risk management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Experience with MS Office and legal research tools.
• Knowledge of conflicts databases and ethical walls.
• Ability to lead and train a team of conflicts attorneys.
• Capable of working under tight deadlines and maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior leadership and act as liaison to clear escalated conflicts issues.
• Lead conflicts clearance process for complex matters and be the go-to for escalated cases.
• Conduct conflict analysis on new firm business and lateral hires.
• Prepare, audit, and present conflict reports to attorneys to resolve issues.
• Consult with Partners and committees to create screening restrictions.
• Review engagement letters and outside counsel guidelines for compliance.
• Perform legal research on conflicts clearance and related issues.
• Oversee workflow and training of the Conflicts Attorneys team.
• Lead training and onboarding of Conflicts Attorneys.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Confidentiality

Ability to learn quickly

Deadline-driven

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school

Active state bar membership

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Time entry and conflicts databases

Job description

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better.

McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With Us, You’ll Find

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity – we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description

The Senior Conflicts Attorney leads the conflict resolution process for complex and high impact matters. This position ensures new matters and attorney hires are compliant with the firm’s conflicts and risk management policies and procedures and works with senior firm leadership to review all escalated conflicts matters. The Senior Conflicts Attorney works under minimal supervision and relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior leadership and serve as the departmental liaison to clear escalated conflicts issues
• Lead the conflicts clearance process for complex and sensitive matters; serves as a point of contact for the Conflicts Attorneys for all escalated matters
• Conduct conflict analysis on new firm business and lateral hires
• Prepare, audit, and present conflict reports to attorneys to resolve issues in a timely manner
• Consult with partners, Professional Responsibility Committee, and Information Governance to create and maintain effective screening restrictions
• Review engagement letters and outside counsel guidelines to ensure firm-wide compliance
• Perform legal research, including review of case law and jurisdictional issues related to conflicts clearance, lateral hiring, ethical walls, and related issues
• Assist the Director of Conflicts and Client Intake with overseeing the Conflicts Attorneys team’s workflow and training
• Lead the training and onboarding of Conflicts Attorneys

Job Specifications

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Active bar membership in good standing
• At least seven (7) years of related work experience
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word)
• Knowledge of time entry and conflict of interest databases
• Knowledge of legal research tools and databases
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong leadership and analytical skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information
• Ability to learn new concepts and skills quickly

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $167,000 – $214,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWE provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear
• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment

Typical indoor office environment