Conflicts Specialist

Gowling WLG • Toronto, ON

8h • CA$60,000 - CA$80,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Gowling WLG is looking for a Conflict Specialist to join their Firm for a 12-month contract. As a member of Gowling WLG’s Conflicts Assessment and Matter Analysis Team (CAMAT), the Conflicts Specialist assesses and assists with the resolution of conflicts of interest in relation to the Firm’s global work. The Conflicts Specialist will also help with the construction and management of ethical screens. This position can be based in any of their offices. This role works from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm PST or 10 am to 6 pm MST to provide support for their offices across Canada.

Requirements

• At least a community college diploma, plus a minimum of three years of experience working in the legal sector
• Strong interest in technology and advanced computer literacy; experience with MS Office, accounting software and database applications; willingness to learn new applications including Intapp, InProtech, iManage, SPM, Aderant, Harvey and Kira
• Advanced research and problem solving skills with the ability to conduct conflict of interest searches and exercise good judgment to resolve related issues
• Accuracy of work product and strong attention to detail
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and show initiative while working in a high-volume/pressure and deadline-driven environment
• Capacity to work independently, as well as in a virtual team environment, and to ensure consistency and consensus in response
• Advanced time management and organization skills with the ability to multi-task among detail-oriented tasks and prioritize conflicting demands
• Strong communication, interpersonal and customer service skills
• Strong negotiation and teamwork skills to interact/collaborate with various groups, including partners and management
• Understanding of the ethical, professional and legal dimensions of our roles and responsibilities, including the significance of our confidentiality commitments
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a customer service role, information management and/or research would be an asset
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be accepted
• Bilingualism in French, both written and verbal, may be required in some offices

Responsibilities

• Constructing ethical screens to manage conflicts and confidentiality concerns
• Perform conflict searches for all Canadian offices of Gowling WLG (Canada), of varying levels of complexity and across diverse sectors, practices, and geographies, using the New Business Intake (NBI)/Intapp system, and application of appropriate case law (McKercher v. CNR), Legal Profession Rules/Codes of Conduct and firm procedures to consider commercial, contractual, confidential information, legal or other forms of possible conflict of interest for each new business intake request
• Conduct a detailed analysis using advanced technology to assess new clients and matters and casual searches against the Firm’s client and matter databases, identifying possible conflicts of interest, applying sound judgment to ensure effective review of conflicts and knowing when to escalate issues, providing recommendations to resolve them and ensuring clear documentation of conflicts resolutions
• Identify potential issues raised by European files, and draft referrals to the Gowling WLG (UK) CAMAT. Negotiate with Birmingham on straightforward non-complex conflicts issues and provide support to the two conflicts lawyers on more complex issues
• Respond to the professionals and assistants on the results, in a timely manner
• Assist with testing and provide continuous feedback in revising and improving the NBI process of client onboarding and conflicts assessment, including regulatory compliance, whenever required
• Developing and maintaining substantive knowledge of and familiarity with the legal ethics, and professional responsibility rules applicable in the Firm’s geographic jurisdictions and procedures, policies, and practices relating to conflicts and other ethical issues
• Assisting professional staff and other members of the conflicts team in identifying, evaluating, and resolving ethical conflict and business conflict issues relating to conflicts checks for lateral hires and new business matters
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance
• Benefits coverage for Firm members and their dependents from day one!
• 15+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility
• Parental leave top-up for 26 weeks (after 12 months of full-time employment)
• Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match
• Financial protection through short & long-term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree