Conflicts Attorney

Job Description:

Ashurst 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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Independently analyze conflicts of interest on new business, firm lateral hires, and merger candidates.  Resolve issues that arise in such matters with little to no supervision, including drafting of waivers and advising on ethical issues relating to withdrawal and screening.

• Resolve conflicts issues related to firm lateral hires.

• Manage a large conflicts workload with little to no supervision.

• Manage, prioritize, and meet deadlines with little to no supervision.

• Manage sensitive and confidential issues related to practice management and firm ethics.  Provide training on conflicts issues.

• Lead small projects.

• Coordinate workload coverage.

• Provide backup to department Directors when needed.

• Act as a strategic legal advisor to firm lawyers on complex and sensitive conflicts of interest issues.

• Perform legal research and prepare legal memoranda in response to requests from firm lawyers, managers, claims counsel and various firm committees.

• Analyze complex factual situations and spot issues where problems might occur. 

• Draft complex waivers, engagement and joint representation letters in final format.

• Negotiate between lawyers in resolving disputes over conflicts and waivers. Other related legal work as needed.

• Be present at work during regularly scheduled working hours and as needed in the job position, consistent with the Firm's attendance expectations.

SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED

• Thorough knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct and their application to the practice of law. 

• Strong database skills. 

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing across the firm’s U.S. and international offices; timely with information. 

• Solid understanding of jurisdictional differences in the application of different rules and principles to use in making a choice of law, including risk analysis. 

• Effectively cope with change; can decide and act without having the total picture.

• Arrive at good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.

• Thorough understanding of a wide range of legal matters, including an understanding of the parties and their respective roles in transactions and litigation, knowledge of litigation procedures such as depositions, subpoenas, role of co-defendants and comparative fault.

• Solid understanding of business organizations and financing concepts (critical). 

• Ability to think creatively about solutions to issues raised.  High attention to detail. 

• Use time effectively and efficiently, concentrating on the more important priorities and can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal. 

• Minimal supervision needed when working on independent assignments. 

• Understand and respect the need for teamwork within the department and firm; follow procedures established to facilitate teamwork, including with personnel in international offices. 

• Accept and convey decisions of Firm and Department Management in a professional manner. 

• Relate well to all kinds of people, up, down, lateral, inside, and outside the organization; build constructive and effective relationships. 

• Proven ability to be responsible for and capably resolve conflicts of interest issues for challenging personalities and groups/offices.

• Thorough and complete understanding of the lateral hire process.

SPECIFIC SKILLS PREFERRED

• Understanding of litigation practice and working knowledge of law firm processes.

• Ability to detect procedural problems and determine appropriate relationships.

• Experience with legal research and writing, ability to independently manage multiple tasks of varying importance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Qualified candidates must have a Juris Doctorate and a minimum of five (5) years of practice experience and minimum two (2) years of experience as a Conflicts Attorney I or equivalent senior level conflict/ethics experience.

• Active member in good standing in any jurisdiction required. 

• Strong working knowledge of relevant topics, legal issues, and the rules governing professional responsibility required. 

• Demonstrated success in a stressful environment.

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, accrued paid time off plan starting at 20 days annually, personal medical and parental leave, up to ten paid holidays, and family care benefits. More information regarding benefits and programs may be found here. 

This position may be filled in the following location(s). The listed compensation range reflects the typical pay for this role, though it is rare for new hires to receive an offer at the top of the range. Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, market conditions, and internal equity.

Colorado compensation range: $158,120 to $252,830 annually

Illinois compensation range: $166,870 to $266,830 annually

New York compensation range: $183,470 to $293,370 annually

Washington state compensation range: $166,790 to $266,700 annually

Washington, D.C., compensation range: $180,130 to $288,040 annually

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