Conflicts Advisor

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Role Context

• The NB&ER team has overall responsibility for ensuring all the policies and processes involved in taking on new clients and matters are adhered to, and work is accepted in accordance with the firm's risk management procedures. These include carrying out conflict checks for the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and associate offices globally, client approval, matter inception, financial crime and anti-money laundering checks, tracking of client terms and retainers, monitoring information barriers.

• The Conflicts Team consists of legally qualified team members in London, Sydney and the US. The teams provide joint services, including partner advisory services, globally.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing conflict checks on every new matter globally to identify (through analysis) and resolve (through consultation) both legal and commercial conflicts of interest.

• Review every new client and matter opportunity through analysis of internal and external information sources and advise partners globally in relation to conflicts and information barrier management.

• Understand and identify wider risks including reputational, sanctions, financial crime and commercial conflict issues through Matter Risk Assessment.

• Advising partners and lawyers regarding conflict check results, processes and policies.

• Liaise with the Financial Crime team on the Matter Risk Assessment.

• Ensuring the London team have a close working relationship with the Sydney team and liaising with them to ensure a smooth handover.

• Actively contributing to the building of an effective and mutually supportive conflicts team globally.

• Influence the design and optimisation of conflicts and information barrier management technology and projects.

Key Qualifications / Skills / Experience

• Law degree/LPC

• Work experience in a professional services environment in this field for at least a year (we will however consider candidates with less experience provided they can demonstrate the required competencies)

• Understanding of the legal and professional regime applying to conflicts of interest and confidential information.

• An understanding of US conflicts rules is an additional advantage.  

• Strong research and analytical skills

• Excellent commercial awareness

• Ability to prioritise workloads

• Attention to detail and accuracy

• Ability to work autonomously, escalate and prioritise multiple tasks

• Clear verbal, written and face to face communication skills with staff at every level

• Knowledge of Microsoft programs and research resources

• Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines

Key Competencies

Personal Conduct

• Positively impacts those around them, makes quality decisions and develops themselves both personally and professionally

• Anticipates potential problems and identifies a range of possible solutions

• Critical Thinking

Builds Authentic Relationships

• Takes time to get to know people beyond their role

• Treats people with respect and in a fair and consistent way

• Conducts themselves in a way that reflects positively on the firm’s brand, both inside and outside the firm

Collaborates with others

• Works within teams and across boundaries to share knowledge and achieve results

• Identifies and builds relationships required to achieve the best outcomes for the firm

• Generously shares their time, knowledge, expertise and talent to support others’ success

Enhances the Client Experience

• Optimises the client experience by the efficient and accurate management of complex issues

Achieves Results

• Maintains focus and drive to achieve quality outcomes

• Focuses their time and efforts on issues that will have the greatest impact on agreed objectives

• Anticipates responses and plans their approach accordingly

• Maintains perspective and optimism when faced with difficulties and setbacks

Team

General Counsel and Risk

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

London

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.