Professional Responsibility Counsel

Cooley•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cooley is seeking a Professional Responsibility Counsel to join Cooley's Risk & Compliance team. Cooley is a global law firm with an expansive practice and more than 3,000 employees and partners worldwide. We value and celebrate diverse perspectives and strive to create a workplace where every individual can thrive. At the core of Cooley’s success is the exceptional talent and unwavering spirit of our people. We embrace individuality while fostering a ‘one-firm’ culture where collaboration and creativity thrive. Our people are the foundation of our success and the driving force behind everything we do. As part of the Cooley culture, we recognize and appreciate the value of being together, in person, to build comradery with others in the office and to be a contributing member of the Cooley office. However, we also appreciate the benefits and flexibility that come from remote working. As such, the default assumption for employees and partners is a hybrid schedule: some in-office presence and some work from home days absent certain essential in-office roles (i.e., facilities, local office technology, etc.) that require five (5) days/week in-office. Your supervisor will share the in-office expectations for this role. Guided by department objectives and priorities, and under the general direction of the General Counsel, the Professional Responsibility Counsel serves as an advisor within the Office of the General Counsel on professional responsibility and risk management matters facing the firm, predominately focused on conflicts of interest. This role requires deep knowledge of and experience with complex conflicts of interest, legal ethics and professional responsibility. The Professional Responsibility Counsel provides guidance to firm lawyers and business professionals, including, in particular, the firm’s Business Intake and Conflicts department ("BIC"), on conflicts of interest, engagement issues, and other professional responsibility matters arising out of client intake that require elevated judgment and experience.

Requirements

After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications.
Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required.
JD; active member in good standing of all applicable bars.
6+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably with a large firm or as a lawyer for a state bar regulator or disciplinary committee, with a significant portion of that experience focused on legal ethics, professional responsibility, or risk management.
Demonstrated experience handling complex conflicts of interest analyses and advising senior lawyers in connection with the rules of professional conduct.
Experience advising on or negotiating outside counsel guidelines and engagement terms.
Experience advising on vendor engagement structures, privilege issues, or other risk management matters in a law firm or comparable environment.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to present complex legal analysis clearly and persuasively to firm leadership, partners, and business professionals.
Superior analytical skills and sound judgment in evaluating novel and ambiguous professional responsibility questions with significant consequences for the firm.
Demonstrated ability to function as a trusted advisor, exercising independent judgment and providing decisive guidance under pressure.
Self-motivated with a strong sense of accountability and the confidence to set forth positions on difficult issues.
Creative and practical approach to problem-solving that is informed by the firm's strategic, business, and professional needs.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work efficiently under pressure and meet deadlines.
Must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the highest standards of confidentiality, personal integrity, and professional ethics.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a professional responsibility, ethics, or risk management role at a large law firm or for a state bar regulator or disciplinary committee.
Experience using IntApp, 3E, and iManage.

Responsibilities

Act as formally designated in-house counsel to the firm; conduct privileged discussions with and advise the firm’s lawyers and business professionals on complex legal ethics and professional responsibility matters, especially conflicts of interest
Serve as a primary subject matter expert and advisor on conflicts of interest arising in new business intake and lateral hiring and other contexts, providing guidance to firm lawyers and BIC on matters that require elevated analysis and judgment
In conjunction with other lawyers in the Office of the General Counsel, guide, train, and advise BIC leadership and team members— including conflicts analysts and conflict staff attorneys — on how to identify, analyze, and escalate complex conflicts situations; establish and model best practices for conflicts analysis across the department
Advise firm lawyers on complex and sensitive engagement situations, including matters involving multiple clients, adverse interests, prospective client issues, former client conflicts, positional conflicts, and other professional responsibility issues
Advise on the implementation of conflict resolution mechanisms, including ethical screens and conflict waivers; draft or review waivers and related correspondence as required for complex or sensitive circumstances
Assist the firm’s Assistant General Counsel – Client Engagement with the review of outside counsel guidelines and engagement letter terms in connection with the firm's client relationships
Advise firm lawyers on privilege, liability, confidentiality, conflicts, supervision, and other issues related to the retention of vendors or third-party service providers for specific client matters; review and negotiate related retainer agreements and engagement arrangements.
Assist other lawyers in the Office of the General Counsel with review of marketing materials, client alerts, pitch materials, and other client-facing or public-facing firm communications for professional responsibility and risk management issues, including unauthorized practice of law concerns, advertising rule compliance, and other regulatory considerations.
Collaborate with the Assistant General Counsel – Ethics and other members of the Office of the General Counsel on a broad range of professional responsibility matters.
Work with others in the Office of the General Counsel to develop and lead conflicts and professional responsibility training programs for lawyers and business professionals across the firm, ensuring that training reflects current rules, case law, and ethics opinions and is tailored to the sophisticated practice environment of a large global law firm.
Conduct ongoing legal research and monitor developments in legal ethics, professional responsibility rules, and regulatory requirements across jurisdictions; advise the Office of the General Counsel on emerging issues and prepare alerts and educational materials for firm lawyers.
Assist with drafting correspondence, legal memoranda, and other written analysis related to complex ethics and professional responsibility questions.
All other duties as assigned or required.