Senior Conflicts and Ethics Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Work closely with the firm’s conflicts team to identify and resolve potential conflicts of interest, including drafting waiver documentation and implementing ethical screens when necessary. Manage more complex conflict matters by conducting detailed analyses, such as reviewing corporate affiliations and evaluating existing client engagement terms. Support attorneys in addressing internal business conflicts.

Prepare engagement letters and related client agreements in collaboration with attorneys and firm leadership. Review and evaluate outside counsel guidelines, identifying provisions that require revision or negotiation, and coordinate with internal stakeholders as needed. Communicate directly with clients regarding any proposed changes.

Conduct due diligence on prospective clients, identifying and escalating potential risks or concerns to attorneys or firm leadership. Analyze new client matters to assess ethical considerations and broader business risks.

Serve as a primary point of contact for attorneys and staff on conflicts, ethics, and client onboarding matters. Provide guidance on contractual issues, professional responsibility questions, and risk assessments, escalating issues when appropriate.

Partner with the recruiting team on lateral hiring efforts by assessing potential conflicts associated with candidates. Perform thorough analyses, collaborate with attorneys to resolve concerns, and advise on hiring decisions, including any conditions or limitations.

Support the development and implementation of firmwide risk management procedures. Provide training, guidance, and task oversight to conflicts team members, ensuring accuracy and completeness of their work.

Educate attorneys and staff on conflicts of interest rules and related ethical obligations. Build strong working relationships across departments involved in the conflicts and intake process.

Assist in maintaining departmental continuity by overseeing workflows and priorities in the absence of leadership. Manage file transfers to new counsel or clients and coordinate with accounting on matter closures.

Qualifications

Juris Doctor required.

Minimum of five years of experience in a law firm conflicts or ethics role, with a strong understanding of professional responsibility rules and a demonstrated ability to identify and resolve conflicts of interest.

Familiarity with ethics and conflicts rules across multiple jurisdictions.

Experience advising firm leadership on risk management and loss prevention matters.

Background supervising or guiding conflicts analysts and reviewing conflicts reports.

Strong legal drafting skills, particularly with client engagement documentation, and exceptional attention to detail.

Experience analyzing and negotiating outside counsel guidelines.

Additional Skills and Competencies

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and document management tools such as Adobe Acrobat or similar platforms; ability to quickly learn systems such as Excel, Intapp, and Aderant.

Experience using legal and business research platforms (e.g., Lexis, Westlaw, Capital IQ, and comparable tools).

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and provide sound recommendations.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with a commitment to continuous professional development.

Ability to manage competing priorities, work both independently and collaboratively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Demonstrated ability to remain composed under pressure and interact effectively with colleagues at all levels.

Strong client service orientation and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.