Conflicts Attorney

Venable LLP•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Conflicts Attorney is responsible for evaluating and resolving legal conflicts-of-interest for new business intake, matter openings, client updates, and lateral attorney onboarding. This role conducts complex conflicts analyses, advises attorneys and firm leadership on risk and ethics issues, and ensures compliance with professional responsibility rules and firm policies. The Conflicts Attorney also supports matter opening workflows, drafts waivers and ethical screens, reviews Outside Counsel Guidelines, and contributes to maintaining high-quality conflicts data and processes.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar status in MD, DC, CA, or NY
A minimum of 3 years of conflicts or professional responsibility experience in a mid-to-large, multi-practice law firm
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legal relationships, business structures, and conflict scenarios
Proficiency with conflicts/new-business intake systems and strong research and analytical skills
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make persuasive arguments and present nuanced analyses to all levels of firm leadership
Strong negotiation skills and consultative approach when working with attorneys and staff
High level of discretion, judgment, and diplomacy in handling sensitive and confidential information
Strong attention to detail, client-service orientation, and responsiveness
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and meet tight deadlines
Participation in the conflicts on-call rotation and ability to respond by phone to after-hours emergency conflict checks
Active bar membership in California (must be admitted in the jurisdiction where the attorney is based).
Must maintain active CLE/MCLE credit compliance.
Thorough understanding of conflicts of interest, the Rules of Professional Conduct (including Rules 1.7, 1.9, 1.10), state professional responsibility rules, and ethics issues involving government entities.
Ability to research, analyze, summarize, and recommend resolutions for actual and potential conflicts, including advising the Ethics Committee and attorneys.
Strong computer aptitude, including the Windows environment and Microsoft Office applications.
General knowledge of federal, state, and municipal organizational structures relevant to conflicts analysis.
Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw sound conclusions.
Proven ability to collaborate as part of a cross-functional team and to work independently as a self-starter.
Commitment to continuous improvement, process efficiencies, and automation where applicable.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of 2 years of law practice experience in private practice strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Identifying and analyzing actual and potential conflicts for existing and prospective clients by conducting in-depth research using internal systems and external databases (e.g., Hoover’s, D&B, Lexis, EDGAR) and interpreting results to assess business and ethical risks
Recommending and implementing conflict-resolution strategies, including ethical walls, disclosures, consent letters, and engagement modifications
Drafting and maintaining conflict waivers, disclosures, engagement letter language, and supporting documentation
Reviewing and analyzing Outside Counsel Guidelines and engagement letters for conflicts-related provisions; advise on restrictions, required screens, and necessary updates to internal data
Conducting conflicts analyses for lateral attorney candidates, recommending and implementing resolutions with Division Managers and the Ethics Committee, communicating with stakeholders to clear conflicts, and preparing required consent letters and documentation before and after onboarding
Educating attorneys and legal staff on ethical obligations, conflicts procedures, new business intake, and client relationship considerations