Bressler Risk Blog

Following an earlier post highlighting their “Conflicts Attorney” opening, this BRB jobs update highlights a second open position at Taft: — “Conflicts Analyst” —

• We are seeking a Conflicts Analyst to join our Conflicts team. The ideal candidate will have at least two years of experience working in a legal/ethical conflicts department in a mid- to large-sized law firm. This position can be based in our Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis or Minneapolis office.
• Under the direction of the Firm’s Conflicts Counsel, the Conflicts Analyst will perform research and prepare conflicts search reports analyzing the data of existing and potential clients and matters and identify and assist in resolving possible ethical conflicts in representation and business issues for both new business and lateral matters.
• The Conflicts Analyst serves clients and attorneys by ensuring that the firm fulfills its ethical obligations. All Taft employees operate under a “Client First” philosophy – in all things, we seek to provide exceptional services to our clients.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Define effective search strategies and conduct conflicts searches for new business and potential lateral matters using the firm’s internal electronic database.
• Analyze, articulate and communicate search results to firm attorneys, including the identification and suggested resolution of potential conflicts.
• Perform comprehensive corporate research using online databases to accurately determine corporate affiliations and relationships.
• Work collaboratively with Conflicts Counsel, Conflicts Attorneys, General Counsel, firm attorneys and the conflicts team to aid in conflicts resolution.
• Draft engagement letters, conflict waivers and ethical screen memorandums for review.
• Assist in the ongoing review, reconciliation and clean-up of the firm’s existing client/matter information and conflicts database.
• Provide excellent customer service to legal assistants and firm attorneys.
• Must have ability and willingness to work remotely outside of normal business hours as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of experience working in a law firm conflicts department that utilizes Intapp (strongly preferred) or equivalent conflicts software.
• Working knowledge of professional responsibility and legal ethics rules pertaining to conflicts.
• Ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks and projects while providing an accurate work product in a high-volume, fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to think critically, independently and decisively.
• Ability to take initiative and adapt to changes in workflow, processes and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in a team atmosphere.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to scale communications to all levels within the firm and translate complex issues into simple concepts.

For additional detail:

• Read about professional life and benefits at the firm on their careers page:

• To apply for this position:
  • Candidates interested in Cincinnati should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Cleveland should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Columbus should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Dayton should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Denver should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Indianapolis should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Minneapolis should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Southfield should apply here.

And if you’re interested in seeing your firm’s listings here, please feel free to reach out…

This BRB jobs update highlights a new open position at Taft: “Conflicts Attorney” —

• Taft is looking for a highly motivated, team-oriented Conflicts Attorney to serve our Conflicts team.
• We are seeking a Conflicts Attorney to join our conflicts team. The ideal candidate will have 2+ years of experience working in a conflicts department in a mid – to large-sized law firm, and can be based in our Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis or Minneapolis office.
• Under the direction of the Conflicts Counsel, the Conflicts Attorney will be responsible for all aspects of the conflicts process, from preparing conflicts search reports as needed, to identifying and resolving possible ethical conflicts and business issues for both new business and lateral matters.
• The Conflicts Attorney serves clients and attorneys by ensuring that the firm fulfills its ethical obligations.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Review, analyze and articulate conflicts search results for new business and lateral hires. Identify potential conflict issues and determine appropriate steps for resolution.
• Work collaboratively with Conflicts Counsel, General Counsel, firm attorneys and the conflicts team to effectively resolve conflict issues.
• Assist new firm attorneys in transitioning lateral clients and matters, including drafting engagement letters and conflict waivers.
• Draft and distribute ethical screen memorandums. Set up new ethical walls and manage existing walls using firm software.
• Identify opportunities to create or streamline existing processes and procedures to reduce risk and increase efficiency.
• Assist in the development and training of department employees.
• Assist in the large-scale review, reconciliation and clean-up of the firm’s existing client/matter information and conflicts database.
• Provide excellent customer service to legal assistants and firm attorneys.
• Travel within the U.S. to other offices as required.
• Must have ability and willingness to work remotely outside of normal business hours as needed.

Requirements

• Intapp experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks and projects while providing an accurate work product in a high-volume, fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to think critically, independently and decisively.
• Exhibit strong problem-solving and time management skills.
• Ability to take initiative and adapt to changes in workflow, processes and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in a team atmosphere.
• Possess an acute attention to detail, along with excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to scale communications to all levels within the firm and translate complex issues into simple concepts.
• Juris doctor required.
• 2+ years of experience working in a conflicts department in a mid- to large-sized law firm required.
• Knowledge and understanding of professional responsibility and legal ethics rules pertaining to conflicts.

For additional detail:

• Read about professional life and benefits at the firm on their careers page:

• To apply for this position:
  • Candidates interested in Chicago should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Cincinnati should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Cleveland should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Columbus should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Dayton should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Denver should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Detroit (Southfield) should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Indianapolis should apply here.
  • Candidates interested in Minneapolis should apply here.

And if you’re interested in seeing your firm’s listings here, please feel free to reach out…

The BRB jobs update highlights a new open position at Richards, Layton & Finger: “New Business & Conflicts Analyst” —

• Richards, Layton & Finger, Delaware’s largest law firm, seeks a full-time New Business & Conflicts Analyst.
• The New Business & Conflicts Analyst is responsible for providing support to the Intake & Conflicts teams by processing requests for matters, conflicts and due diligence research.
• Hours are 9:00am – 5:30pm.
• This hybrid role (4 days in the office, 1 remote) reports to the Conflicts & New Business Intake Manager.
• For more information, and to apply, contact the firm’s Director of Human Resources, Gina Edwards (Edwards@rlf.com) or reach out to: Admincareers@rlf.com.

Responsibilities:

• Reviews, analyzes and processes business intake requests; ensures that data and intake requirements have been properly met.
• Reviews, processes and runs conflicts search requests on clients, parties and new hires; analyzes conflicts search results and prepares reports; performs and provides research on parties as needed.
• Communicates with firm personnel and works closely with attorneys and legal assistants to ensure that conflicts and new business data has been processed in accordance with firm policies and procedures.
• Assists with developing procedures and workflows for processing new business and conflicts requests.
• Monitors the workflow status of requests and contacts firm personnel when needed to efficiently move processing along (i.e. providing correct data, attorney edits/changes, attorney approvals, etc.). Works with the Accounting team to ensure that matter edits and general processing are handled efficiently.
• Prepares matter reports; assists team members and the Department Manager with special projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Resourceful and motivated to solve issues as they arise.
• 2+ years’ experience in a law firm preferred.
• Experience running and knowledge of software including but not limited to: Intapp, Outlook, Word, etc.
• Detail oriented with excellent follow through; good oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to be a team player and flexible
• Periodic overtime and the availability to provide weekend conflicts coverage once every 5-6 weeks.

For additional detail:

• Read about professional life and benefits at the firm  on their careers page:
  • Our professional staff plays an integral role in delivering the exceptional service that stands as the bedrock of our firm’s reputation. We deeply value our professional staff and promote a welcoming, supportive environment that enables our employees to reach their professional and personal goals.
• To apply for this position, contact the firm’s Director of Human Resources, Gina Edwards (Edwards@rlf.com) or reach out to: Admincareers@rlf.com.

And if you’re interested in seeing your firm’s listings here, please feel free to reach out…

In this BRB jobs update, I’m pleased to highlight an opening at Perkins Coie: “Conflicts Attorney” —

• Perkins Coie is looking for a dynamic, qualified individual to fill a Conflicts Attorney position performing conflicts analysis on new business and firm lateral hires, and advising firm lawyers on conflicts of interest issues.
• The Conflicts Attorney will independently review, research, and resolve conflicts issues related to firm new business and staff personnel and ensure compliance with ethical standards in all jurisdictions as well as firm policies.
• For purposes of complying with Export Control laws, candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to apply.

Essential Functions

These essential functions are primary job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation.

• Analyze conflicts of interest on new business and firm lateral hires. Resolve issues that arise in such matters, including when drafting waivers/consents and advising on ethical issues relating to withdrawal and screening.
• Act as a legal advisor to firm lawyers on conflicts of interest issues.
• Perform legal research and prepare legal memoranda in response to requests from the General Counsel, firm lawyers, managers, and various firm committees.
• Assist management in handling sensitive and confidential issues related to practice management and firm ethics. Provide training on conflict issues.
• Analyze complex factual situations and spot issues where problems might occur.
• Draft complex waivers/consents, engagement letters, and joint representation letters in final format.
• Negotiate between lawyers in resolving disputes over conflicts and waivers.
• Other related legal work as needed.

Specific Skills Required

• Knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct and their application to the practice of law.
• Solid understanding of jurisdictional differences in the application of different rules and principles in making a choice of law analysis.
• Effectively cope with change; can decide and act without having the total picture.
• Thorough understanding of a wide range of areas of law, including being able to identify the roles of parties in matters, and possess a solid understanding of business organizations and financing concepts as well as litigation principles and procedures, such as depositions, subpoenas, roles of codefendants and comparative fault.
• Strong legal research and writing skills, including the ability to compile and analyze complex data and furnish detailed information clearly and concisely.
• Strong eye for detail and critical thinking skills; ability to spot problems and propose creative solutions.
• Project management skills, including the ability to spot issues, manage time well, prioritize effectively, adapt to quick changes and handle multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to collaborate with others within the department and firm.
• Well-developed and professional interpersonal skills; ability to interact and communicate effectively with people at all organizational levels of the firm, both orally and in writing, consistent with communication best practices.
• Proficiency with MS Office.

Specific Skills Preferred

• Understanding of litigation practice and working knowledge of law firm processes. Ability to detect procedural problems and determine appropriate relationships. Relevant knowledge/familiarity with Intapp products (Conflicts, Intake, Walls, Terms) and Elite 3E.

Education and Experience

Qualified candidates must have a Juris Doctorate and a minimum of 3 years of practice experience. Need to be an active member in good standing in any jurisdiction and have a strong working knowledge of relevant topics, legal issues, and the rules governing professional responsibility. The candidate will also be able to provide demonstrated success in a stressful environment.

See the complete job posting for more details on the job requirements and to apply for this position.

Learn more about working at the firm on their careers page.

And if you’re interested in seeing your firm’s listings here, please feel free to reach out…