Conflicts Attorney

Gunderson Dettmer•San Diego, CA

2d•$160,000 - $190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Gunderson Dettmer is seeking a full-time Conflicts Attorney to join us as a firm-wide resource to review, clear and consult on conflicts of interest and new business acceptance matters. This position sits within our New Business Acceptance Department and reports directly to the Assistant General Counsel. The Conflicts Attorney works in concert with the Firm’s two other Conflicts Attorney(s). The Conflicts Attorney will be a critical member of a comprehensive program focused on clearing routine and more complex transactional conflicts of interest. The Conflicts Attorney will be responsible for assuring compliance with applicable Rules of Professional Conduct and assisting with other loss prevention functions. Being a conflicts attorney at Gunderson Dettmer is unlike other conflicts attorney experiences. Our conflicts attorneys are valued and respected members of our team and as such are required to respond to needs of their clients (Firm attorneys and staff), however, we do not have night shift or weekend coverage. Additionally, our conflicts attorneys work directly with our partners and associates, building relationships with their colleagues across the Firm and attend Firm social events. Conflicts Attorney Role: in concert with the New Business Intake Department (NBI): Reviews client, related party and adverse party data for new matters to determine whether these proposed engagements involve conflicts of interest. This entails identifying possible conflicts from conflict reports containing that data, contacting the attorneys responsible for relevant matters, and drafting and seeking conflict waivers from select clients to resolve those possible conflicts. Consults with the NBI team and client team, or with the Office of General Counsel to resolve complex engagement or conflicts issues. Reviews and resolves restricted party screening results and consults with the responsible attorney as necessary. Reviews new client/matter requests to determine the need for ethical walls or screens and drafts and reviews client consent/waiver letters for compliance with screening procedures. Oversees the technical ethical wall process in conjunction with other teams Reviews and provides edits/comments on non-standard engagement letters, conflict waivers, outside counsel guidelines in conjunction with the Assistant General Counsel. Analyzes and resolves conflicts of interest arising from the Firm’s hiring of new lawyers. Assists in maintaining thorough, accurate and current records of all conflicts resolutions in database to ensure integrity of the database and assist in identification and clearing of future conflicts of interest. Works with the NBI team to investigate and resolve erroneous, outdated or otherwise incomplete data on conflicts reports and ensure corrections are made in database and other records to ensure integrity of information. Assists Firm personnel in understanding the Firm’s new matter intake, conflicts, anti-money laundering, and other compliance procedures. As needed, assists with updating client lifecycle form documents (engagement letters, non-engagement letters, waivers, disengagement letters, transfer letters, etc.).

Requirements

Candidates must have a J.D. with strong academic credentials.
Active CA licensure preferred, however, a strong candidate admitted to the bar of any US state in which Gunderson Dettmer has an office will be considered. License must be active and in good standing at all times.
Transactional conflicts experience required, preferably in a mid to large law firm.
Minimum of 2 plus years of relevant law firm or legal department work experience.
A team player with a willing attitude to learn, help and adapt.
Excellent communicator able to both write and converse technically and eloquently.
Enthusiastic and willing to work with lawyers and support staff at all levels and in differing jurisdictions.
Superior attention to detail together with a methodical and organized approach to daily work and projects.
Able to manage workload effectively and move projects forward.
Excellent interpersonal skills, a sense of humor and the ability to respond to time critical and complex situations calmly and positively.
Able to influence and build strong working relationships with internal clients and colleagues in a collaborative and supportive manner.
Able to work with a strong team of New Business Intake and Business Acceptance professionals.
Strong ethics and compliance aptitude with an ability to issue spot and find ways to resolve.
Creative problem-solving ability.
Solutions focused, proven initiative, pro-active approach and independent thought.
Knowledge of legal regulatory and legislative requirements for law firms, and an understanding of risk in the legal services environment, would therefore be beneficial.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of InTapp a plus.

Responsibilities

Reviews client, related party and adverse party data for new matters to determine whether these proposed engagements involve conflicts of interest.
Consults with the NBI team and client team, or with the Office of General Counsel to resolve complex engagement or conflicts issues.
Reviews and resolves restricted party screening results and consults with the responsible attorney as necessary.
Reviews new client/matter requests to determine the need for ethical walls or screens and drafts and reviews client consent/waiver letters for compliance with screening procedures.
Oversees the technical ethical wall process in conjunction with other teams
Reviews and provides edits/comments on non-standard engagement letters, conflict waivers, outside counsel guidelines in conjunction with the Assistant General Counsel.
Analyzes and resolves conflicts of interest arising from the Firm’s hiring of new lawyers.
Assists in maintaining thorough, accurate and current records of all conflicts resolutions in database to ensure integrity of the database and assist in identification and clearing of future conflicts of interest.
Works with the NBI team to investigate and resolve erroneous, outdated or otherwise incomplete data on conflicts reports and ensure corrections are made in database and other records to ensure integrity of information.
Assists Firm personnel in understanding the Firm’s new matter intake, conflicts, anti-money laundering, and other compliance procedures.
As needed, assists with updating client lifecycle form documents (engagement letters, non-engagement letters, waivers, disengagement letters, transfer letters, etc.).