Conflicts Analyst

Katten•Chicago, IL

11d•$55,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Conflicts Manager and in accordance with Firm policies and procedures, the Conflicts Analyst maintains conflicts databases and produces conflicts reports. The role involves structuring search strategies and using independent judgment to produce accurate, efficient results while maintaining professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and Firm matters. This is a full-time position working Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The position offers significant opportunity to work from home, with occasional office presence required. Overtime may be required based on business and training needs. The employee must maintain internet access and be able to work remotely after hours as business needs dictate. The analyst reviews and processes new matter and revision requests, performs corporate research, establishes ethical walls, prepares reports, and supports compliance and bankruptcy disclosure tasks. The role also includes training and mentoring peers, participating in rotating task forces and cross-training, supporting process improvements and special projects, and providing responsive service to attorneys and legal support staff. The position requires maintaining established performance measures, adapting to changing procedures and workflows, and prioritizing work in a high-volume environment. The annualized salary range for this position in Chicago is $55,000 to $70,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. The firm offers medical, dental and vision coverage; a 401(k) with employer contribution; parental leave; a transportation fringe benefit program; a backup care option; paid time off; and short- and long-term disability policies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, and ability to learn new software programs.
Ability to learn and use specialized internal conflict-checking software and multiple software applications and departmental workflow processes.
Issue tracking, follow-up, and resolution skills.
Ability to understand legal relationships and the nature of representations undertaken.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including courtesy and diplomacy when responding to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Ability to apply logical and common-sense reasoning to written, verbal, and diagrammed instructions and resolve problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations.
Initiative and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail and accuracy, sound judgment, and decision-making ability.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to produce accurate and efficient work in a high-volume environment.
Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively as a dependable team member, as well as independently and make decisions within the scope of the role.
Excellent follow-through and ability to manage multiple functions in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment and adapt to workflow and procedure changes.
Strong reading, writing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, proofreading, and formatting skills.
Ability to perform detailed mathematical calculations and apply mathematical concepts when reconciling balances, verifying numerical data, and preparing reports.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a computer, telephone, photocopier, scanner, calculator, and facsimile machine.
Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation, or office supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
Ability to work occasionally more than 37.5 hours per week to perform essential duties.

Nice To Haves

One to three years of professional work experience in a legal environment with demonstrated research and complex problem-solving skills preferred.
Knowledge of and proficiency in relational databases highly desired.

Responsibilities

Define complex conflict search strategies using Boolean logic; analyze results to identify potential conflicts and eliminate false hits.
Enter and maintain party information in the conflicts database, including correct position and relationship codes.
Review new matter and revision requests for accuracy of party positions and relationships, area-of-law codes, matter descriptions, and required approvals.
Conduct corporate research using electronic databases to determine corporate lineage and other information.
Establish and maintain ethical walls to screen individuals from particular clients and matters.
Participate in developing and mentoring Conflicts Department peers, including training on database software, Firm policies, and procedures.
Prepare and distribute departmental reports accurately and efficiently.
Maintain established quantity and quality performance measures.
Back up compliance coordinators with assistance and preparation of Audit Letters.
Develop proficiency in completing bankruptcy disclosures and assist with live requests as needed.
Provide exceptional service to Legal Executive Assistants, Legal Administrative Assistants, paralegals, and attorneys.
Review and process new matter and revision requests and prioritize workflow as needed.
Communicate issues clearly, solve problems, and escalate issues when necessary.
Participate in a weekly rotating task force handling conflicts requests and departmental projects, individually and collaboratively.
Learn and apply procedure changes quickly and effectively, including when working under pressure.
Participate in cross-training to improve processes, procedures, and departmental operational efficiency.
Build understanding of Conflicts policies and their impact on the Firm.
Maintain internet access and the ability to work remotely after hours when business needs dictate.
Assist with initiatives to improve the quality and quantity of information provided to attorneys taking on new clients and matters.
Assist with special projects requested by the Conflicts Manager and perform a variety of rotating Conflicts tasks as assigned.