Senior Conflicts Analyst (New Business)
Position summary: The Senior Conflicts Analyst is responsible for the identification, analysis, and resolution of all conflicts requests, using independent judgment and demonstrating a thorough understanding of the business needs when clearing incoming work and candidates. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Position responsibilities:
- Analyze and process all conflict requests, including more complex requests, to ensure that all firm engagements and hires are clear from a business and ethical perspective
- Prepare database search terms and create conflicts reports for related parties, for all requests including high volume, bulk searches
- Perform corporate research to confirm the identity of all parties associated with requests and address any potential conflicts or high-profile issues
- Identify existing and potential conflicts for each request by reviewing and analyzing conflicts reports and supporting documents
- Understand and interpret database results and conflicts reports for firm partners, counsel, attorneys and business professionals
- Prepare concise, comprehensive descriptions of prospective conflicts landscape based on the rules of professional conduct for attorneys and other submitters
- Interact regularly with partners - through email and telephone to investigate and discuss potential issues and propose solutions in connection with conflict clearances
- Provide regular updates to responsible attorneys and other users in connection with conflicts clearances
- Maintain conflicts resolution notes and responses for each request
- Request waivers for all matters requiring consent and confirm that all conflicts have been resolved
- Draft conflict waivers and engagement letters as necessary
- Inform and advise firm attorneys and counsel of any special circumstances surrounding complicated requests
- Draft and implement necessary ethical screens
- Awareness of current legal trends and information
- Perform conflicts case law and legal ethics research
- Provide conflicts training for secretaries, paralegals, attorneys and business professionals, as needed
- All other duties as assigned or required
Skills and experience:
Required:
- After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
- Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
- 5+ years progressive experience in a law firm, legal environment or conflicts department, with 3+ in conflicts or legal intake
- Exhibit analytical and critical thinking in day-to-day tasks along with the proven ability to operate at an elevated level in terms of scope of responsibility, judgement and autonomy. Work more independently, demonstrate escalating ownership and mastery of assigned area, exhibit strength in the areas below, become a resource and mentor to others and more as they progress in different roles within the department
- Proficiency in IntApp Open and Contract Express or similar programs
- Knowledge of American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct and California State Bar Association’s Rules of Professional Conduct
- Overall understanding of a corporate law practice
- Ability to conduct legal and corporate research
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s Degree, JD
- Knowledge and experience with complete conflicts resolution
- Paralegal Certificate preferred or completion of an ethics course in a paralegal program
- Prior experience as a paralegal or legal researcher in a law firm
Competencies:
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
- Good judgment, strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Strong organizational skills with attention to details
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, challenging environment
- Able to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks
- Capable of and comfortable with communicating professionally with attorneys, directors, and managers
- Ability to take on time sensitive matters while recognizing legal ethical rules
- Excellent customer service skills
Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. EOE.
The expected annual pay range for this position with a full-time schedule is $93,000 - $135,000. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.
We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 21 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.