Bressler Risk Blog

This week, I’m pleased to highlight a new open role at Seyfarth (see also their open  “Client Contracts Counsel” position):  “Client Contracts Analyst” —

• As part of the firm’s Office of General Counsel, the Client Contracts Analyst involves the exercise of discretion and independent judgment in reviewing, negotiating, documenting, and managing non-standard client engagement terms, outside counsel guidelines, and requests for proposals (RFPs).
• The position collaborates closely with a compliance paralegal to oversee workflow and support the tracking and reporting of key statistics and trends related to client engagement documentation.
• The role is also responsible for maintaining and optimizing the firm’s client engagement document database (Intapp Terms), ensuring it serves as an effective tool for mitigating risk. Acting as a central liaison, this position facilitates communication and coordination among various firm departments involved in client acquisition and intake, firm leadership, relationship partners, and other professional staff.

On any given day, you will:

• Review, negotiate, track, document, and store Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCGs), non-standard engagement letters, GDPR documentation, RFPs, and other client contracts to ensure compliance with the firm’s ethical and business obligations.
• Draft correspondence to address terms of engagement that do not align with Seyfarth’s policies, procedures, ethics, loss prevention, and risk tolerance.
• Negotiate directly with clients at direction of relationship partner.
• Maintain an efficient and transparent depository and quick-reference resource(s) regarding client engagement terms.
• Solicit and coordinate feedback and approval on non-standard client contracts from Seyfarth subject matter experts.
• Implement client requirements such as obtaining conflicts searches on clients’ corporate affiliates, requesting ethical or confidentiality walls, providing client notices, updating and maintaining the firm’s various databases and document management systems.
• Assist in follow-up to ensure that executed engagement documents are obtained.

You Have:

• A bachelor’s degree, paralegal certificate, juris doctor degree, or equivalent experience
• Ability to analyze complex documents and communicate results of analysis concisely and professionally
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, clients, and professional staff
• Close attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions, and excellent troubleshooting, proactive problem resolution, and follow-through skills
• A high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills along with the ability to exercise independent judgment , and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to learn and utilize specific internal or third-party Conflicts Department software as well as relevant firm computer software programs
• Excellent organizational skills, including record keeping and data collection

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

About Seyfarth

At Seyfarth, we understand that great people are the key to our success, and we provide the opportunities to match. If you join us, you’ll work with state-of-the-art technology in a friendly and professional environment, and we will continue to invest in your professional development. If you want the freedom to grow at a firm that is invested in your future, apply on our website.

For more detail, see their careers page.

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

This week, I’m pleased to highlight a new open role at Seyfarth: “Client Contracts Counsel” —

• As part of the firm’s Office of General Counsel, the Client Contracts Counsel position involves the exercise of discretion and independent judgment in reviewing, negotiating, documenting, and managing non-standard client engagement terms, outside counsel guidelines, and requests for proposals (RFPs).
• You will collaborate closely with a compliance paralegal to oversee workflow and support the tracking and reporting of key statistics and trends related to client engagement documentation.
• You will also be responsible for maintaining and optimizing the firm’s client engagement document database (Intapp Terms), ensuring it serves as an effective tool for mitigating risk.
• Acting as a central liaison, this position facilitates communication and coordination among various firm departments involved in client acquisition and intake, firm leadership, relationship partners, and other professional staff.

On any given day, you will:

• Review, negotiate, track, document, and store Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCGs), non-standard engagement letters, GDPR documentation, RFPs, and other client contracts to ensure compliance with the firm’s ethical and business obligations.
• Draft correspondence to address terms of engagement that do not align with Seyfarth’s policies, procedures, ethics, loss prevention, and risk tolerance. Negotiate directly with clients at direction of relationship partner.
• Maintain an efficient and transparent depository and quick-reference resource(s) regarding client engagement terms.
• Solicit and coordinate feedback and approval on non-standard client contracts from Seyfarth subject matter experts.
• Implement client requirements such as obtaining conflicts searches on clients’ corporate affiliates, requesting ethical or confidentiality walls, providing client notices, updating and maintaining the firm’s various databases and document management systems.
• Assist in follow-up to ensure that executed engagement documents are obtained.

You Have:

• A Juris Doctor Degree
• Bar admission in good standing in any US state or the District of Columbia required.
• 3+ years of legal experience, including experience either as a conflicts attorney or as an attorney engaged in contract review and negotiation, preferably with a large law firm
• Ability to analyze complex documents and communicate results of analyses concisely and professionally
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, clients, and professional staff
• Close attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions, and excellent troubleshooting, proactive problem resolution, and follow-through skills
• A high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills along with the ability to exercise independent judgment, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to learn and utilize specific internal or third-party Conflicts Department software as well as relevant firm computer software programs
• Excellent organizational skills, including record keeping and data collection

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

About Seyfarth

At Seyfarth, we understand that great people are the key to our success, and we provide the opportunities to match. If you join us, you’ll work with state-of-the-art technology in a friendly and professional environment, and we will continue to invest in your professional development. If you want the freedom to grow at a firm that is invested in your future, apply on our website.

For more detail, see their careers page.

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

This week, we’re pleased to highlight a second job opening at Burr & Forman (following its earlier Conflicts Attorney posting). They’re also looking for a: “New Business Intake Assistant” —

• Burr & Forman LLP has an immediate opening in our Columbia, SC or Birmingham, AL office for a full-time New Business Intake Assistant.
• This position will support the firm’s New Business Intake Department through the screening of new and existing clients for potential conflicts, performing due diligence on new business opportunities, and ensuring compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct and client outside counsel guidelines.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

• Assist New Business Intake team with processing new matter requests in the firm’s conflicts software.
• Perform background checks and other due diligence related to new matters.
• Review new matters for accuracy and completion, confirming that required documents such as engagement letters, outside counsel guidelines, and waivers are attached.
• Complete data entry of new matters into the firm’s conflicts software.
• Perform general client matter maintenance, including updating client addresses, names, or corporate trees.
• Track and follow up on the status of executed engagement letters.
• Close matters in the firm’s billing and conflicts systems.
• Assist with outside counsel guidelines which may include tasks such as uploading and integrating documents to an outside counsel management database and following up with attorneys to confirm that client outside counsel guidelines are the most recent version.
• Other responsibilities as needed.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Two to five years of legal experience, preferably with New Business Intake in a law firm.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience with Intapp and Aderant preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Highly organized, detail-orientated, and proactive with a desire to take ownership.
• Balance competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment, exercising patience and professionalism during stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Some overtime may be required.

About Burr & Forman

• Just as we recruit talented attorneys, we also seek and reward talented professional support staff. Our support staff is critical to client service efforts, and the service we provide our clients is critical to the life of our firm. Knowing this, we want to make the lives of the people who work here better. We want you to love your job; we want you to be enthusiastic about coming to work every day. Burr & Forman is recognized across the Southeast by various publications as a “Best Place to Work” and “Healthiest Employer.”
• Burr & Forman is a large firm, but we work hard to keep a small firm mindset. Burr is an energetic and engaging place to be, and is fulfilling on many levels. Here, you’ll get a chance to make a difference for our clients and for the community in which you live. Each year, the firm sets aside a week to honor the efforts of our staff. Staff Appreciation Week often includes a catered breakfast, an afternoon desert and coffee bar, gift cards, and a catered lunch.

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

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

Our latest job listing comes from Burr & Forman, who are looking for a: “Conflicts Attorney” —

• Burr & Forman has an immediate opening for a Conflicts Attorney located in our Birmingham, Columbia, or Tampa office.
• This position will support the firm’s risk management efforts with a focus on new matter intake; lateral hire screening; client background screening; resolution of conflicts of interest including waivers as needed; engagement letters; and Outside Counsel Guidelines.
• The Conflicts Attorney will work closely with many individuals across the firm, including the Risk Management team, attorneys and legal support.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

• Assist in supervision of conflicts of interest and new client and new matter intake processes as well as assisting department personnel carrying out these functions
• Develop expertise on conflicts rules and approaches in specific practice areas
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the firm’s conflicts and new business intake system, as well as client due diligence research
• Facilitate the timely resolution of potential conflicts problems for attorneys across the firm
• Respond to conflict inquiries; interfacing with professionals and legal assistants at all levels of seniority to confirm the status of existing or pending transactions and resolve identified conflict issues
• Assist in preparation and follow-up of both engagement letters and waiver letters
• Advise attorneys and staff on the Rules of Professional Conduct, including conflicts, and assist in adherence to such rules and firm policies when drafting, reviewing and coordinating client engagement and conflict waiver letters
• Assist in reviewing terms of engagement, including outside counsel guidelines, for conflicts and business issues
• Assist with communicating firm policies and procedures relating to conflicts and intake and make recommendations for changes when appropriate
• Assist in building and tracking a database of identified business conflicts and other applicable data
• Other responsibilities as needed

THE ESSENTIALS

• J.D. degree from accredited law school and member in good standing of the state bar
• 3+ years of legal experience working with conflicts and knowledge of conflict rules
• Experience with Intapp a plus
• Highly organized, detail-orientated, proactive with a desire to take ownership
• Balance competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment, exercising patience and professionalism during stressful situations
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, staff, clients and outside contacts
• Some travel may be required

About Burr & Forman

• Just as we recruit talented attorneys, we also seek and reward talented professional support staff. Our support staff is critical to client service efforts, and the service we provide our clients is critical to the life of our firm. Knowing this, we want to make the lives of the people who work here better. We want you to love your job; we want you to be enthusiastic about coming to work every day. Burr & Forman is recognized across the Southeast by various publications as a “Best Place to Work” and “Healthiest Employer.”
• Burr & Forman is a large firm, but we work hard to keep a small firm mindset. Burr is an energetic and engaging place to be, and is fulfilling on many levels. Here, you’ll get a chance to make a difference for our clients and for the community in which you live. Each year, the firm sets aside a week to honor the efforts of our staff. Staff Appreciation Week often includes a catered breakfast, an afternoon desert and coffee bar, gift cards, and a catered lunch.

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

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

Our latest job listing comes from Sullivan & Cromwell, spotlighting a new open role: “Conflicts Specialist” —

• The Conflicts Specialist (Laterals) will prepare conflict check reports, assist in updating internal records associated with new hire conflicts, and assist with new business intake.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review incoming firm wide partner, attorney and paralegal conflict check submission forms.
• Prepare conflict check reports using Intapp, in-house systems and online research tools accurately and efficiently. Supplement the conflicts reports with online research and independent analysis.
• Communicate effectively with attorneys and staff, asking the right questions to obtain needed information; promptly and thoroughly gather the data available; provide that data to the attorneys in a useful, accurate way.
• Work with the rest of the Conflicts team to update the Firm’s internal records and retrieve engagement letters, waivers and client information when needed by firm lawyers.
• Assist the Conflicts team with the other day-to-day operations of the group, including new business intake, the establishment of ethical walls and client background checks.

In addition, responsibilities related to maintaining firm and client information are to be adhered to by all employees. This includes complying with the firm’s information security policies, protecting firm assets from unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, destruction or interference, and reporting security events or potential events or other security risks to management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must demonstrate a high degree of trustworthiness commensurate with handling confidential and sensitive material.
• Proficient in Boolean search logic and basic internet researching skills.
• Strict attention to detail a must.
• Must be responsible for completing tasks and following through with the resolution of issues; including the ability to meet deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with all levels of staff and lawyers with tact and diplomacy.
• Willingness to learn new skills outside of the conflicts role, such as those pertaining to anti‑money laundering reviews, know‑your‑customer checks and client onboarding.
• Flexibility to work additional hours as necessary, rotating weekend and holiday remote coverage with other Conflicts Specialists.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree and 3+ years of conflict of interest experience in a medium to large law firm.
• Understanding of public and private corporate structures and families (domestic and foreign).
• Familiarity with Intapp Open, 3E and D&B Hoover’s company research database (Avention) is a plus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

The base salary range offered for this role will be between $85,000 and $95,000. When determining a candidate’s compensation offer, elements unique to each person are taken into consideration including but not limited to skill set, experience level, performance, professional certifications, degrees and location, as well as the needs of the Firm. The total compensation package for this position may include overtime pay, discretionary bonuses and other benefits. For a more comprehensive list of employee benefits, please visit www.sullcrom.com/employee-benefits.

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

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 spotlight updates to an open position at Fredrikson, which is now open to remote candidates: “Conflicts Analyst (Remote)” —

• We are seeking a Conflicts Analyst to join our Conflicts Team.
• This fully remote position (available to candidates located California, Colorado, Idaho, and Washington) is essential to ensure timely, accurate conflicts reporting and analysis to minimize risk to the Firm.
• The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and has a strong understanding of conflict rules and legal risk analysis. This position reports to the Conflicts Manager and works closely with attorneys and staff across the Firm.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Ensure accurate entry of parties into the conflicts database, including corporate family structures.
• Conduct corporate research using multiple tools to assess conflicts for new business intake and other matters.
• Prepare and deliver thorough written and verbal conflict analyses.
• Analyze new business intake reports, lateral hire conflicts, RFPs, and other materials with a critical lens.
• Assist in managing attorney and staff requests, providing prompt and clear guidance.
• Support lateral candidate conflict reviews and engagement letter/conflict waiver processes.
• Conduct conflict searches and reviews independently, escalating only complex issues as needed.
• Maintain professional and efficient communication at all times.

Our Ideal Candidates Will Have

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in a large law firm setting.
• Knowledge of conflicts rules under the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Associate’s degree or equivalent experience; bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with conflicts software such as Intapp Open, Elite, and legal research tools like Dun & Bradstreet Family Tree Portal.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage confidential information and interact effectively with legal professionals at all levels.
• Understanding of conflict resolution methods such as waivers and ethical screens.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits options include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short-and long-term disability, employee resource benefits (inclusive of counseling, coaching, and care-giving guidance), paid-parental leave, parenting classes, pre-tax parking and transportation options, and much more! Our retirement plan includes financial planning, Social Security/Medicare planning, 401k/Roth investment options, and a firm-paid profit-sharing contribution. Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions.

About Fredrikson

Diversity and inclusion are core values of Fredrikson & Byron. To best serve our clients, we provide innovative solutions to legal needs by cultivating a diverse workforce. With a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet,” our attorneys and staff bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to operate as business advisors, strategic partners, and legal counselors to our clients. The firm’s 400+ attorneys serve clients through our ten locations around the world: Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Mankato, MN; Bismarck and Fargo, ND; Ames and Des Moines, IA; Madison, WI; Saltillo, Mexico; and Shanghai, China. Visit www.fredlaw.com for more information.

Fredrikson is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Fredrikson does not discriminate in its recruiting, hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, and any other characteristics protected by applicable local, state, and/or federal laws.

See their careers site for more on the company and work environment, see the complete job posting for more details on the position and to apply.

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