Senior Conflicts Attorney (AmLaw100)

Plona Partners; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Plona Partners in Chicago is seeking a conflicts analyst to review and analyze conflict of interest reports, identify potential conflicts, and assist Partners in resolving them.

You will conduct research using public databases and firm tools (iManage, Intapp, Lexis) and draft engagement and waiver letters, ensuring waivers are obtained before opening new matters. This role requires strong legal research, independence, and supervisory ability.

Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar licensure in at least one state and in good standing.
• 3+ years of law firm experience in risk management or corporate compliance.
• Experience in conflicts identification and clearance at a large law firm.
• Experience researching jurisdiction-specific rules related to conflicts.
• Experience with major firm software and research tools.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze new business conflict of interest reports and identify potential conflicts.
• Assist Partners/Associates in resolving conflicts and drafting engagement/waiver letters.
• Provide concise summaries of potential conflicts and steps for resolution.
• Conduct online searches and use web-based research to determine relevant information about representations.
• Discuss conflicts and loss prevention issues with Partners and Firm Management to resolve conflicts.
• Exercise discretion and independent professional judgment in conflicts resolution.
• Review outside counsel guidelines for deviations and address them with attorneys.
• Confirm need for ethical walls and manage firm processes to implement walls.

Skills

Risk management

Corporate compliance

Conflict identification

Legal research

Training & supervision

Supervisory duties

Document management

Research skills

Independent judgment

Education

J.D. degree

Tools

iManage

Intapp Open

Walls

Terms

Elite

Lexis/Westlaw

Dun & Bradstreet

Hoovers

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.