Conflicts Counsel (Lateral Hires Focus)

Husch Blackwell LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations.

At Husch Blackwell we believe that diverse, equitable and inclusive teams lead to better outcomes. Husch Blackwell is committed to retaining, recruiting, developing, and promoting talented lawyers and business professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We foster an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose that makes our Firm and our communities better.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation.  If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Conflicts Counsel (Lateral Hire Focus) position. This position may be filled remotely, or in any of our locations.

The Conflicts Counsel (Lateral Hire Focus) will be a member of the Conflicts Department who collaborates with colleagues within the Conflicts, Client Engagement, and Risk Management departments of the firm to identify and resolve conflicts of interest issues related to the intake and maintenance of new and existing business, lateral clearance, outside counsel guidelines (OCGs), requests for proposals (RFPs), and other conflicts-related issues, as needed. 

The Conflicts Counsel directs and conducts specific processes in the Conflicts department, including efficient review, identification and resolution of conflicts of interest, drafting conflicts waivers, review of lateral candidates, OCGs, and provides recommendations regarding ethical wall implementation and conflicts-related language for engagement letters. Further responsibilities will include timely and clear communication with partners, staff, and firm leadership regarding conflicts requests and complex conflicts questions; maintaining thorough and accurate records of conflicts resolutions; and assistance with identifying, resolving, and documenting erroneous, outdated, or incomplete conflicts information in existing records in order to maintain the integrity of information.  

The Conflicts Counsel exercises discretion and independent judgment while complying with departmental and firm policies and procedures. This position is responsible for assuring compliance with applicable Rules of Professional Conduct related to conflicts of interest and client engagement agreements. Essential job functions include:

• Maintains a thorough working knowledge of the technologies that support the daily operations of the Conflicts department, including but not limited to Intapp Open and Intapp Terms.
• Serves as a resource for conflicts analysts regarding the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest, and communication to attorneys and staff regarding same.
• Discusses conflict of interest issues with attorneys, analysts, business intake, other support staff, and firm leadership to identify and resolve potential conflicts of interest, while maintaining objectivity and professional independence. 
• Reviews requests submitted to the Conflicts Department to provide a concise and complete evaluation of potential conflict issues along with communicating and executing steps for resolution of conflicts issues or potential issues, and documents same. 
• Drafts and reviews language in waiver and engagement letters to ensure that it adequately addresses conflicts issues and are executed by those with appropriate authority. Reviews existing conflict waivers from clients for applicability to a new conflict of interest with that client.
• Makes requests and recommendations related to the implementation of ethical walls.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of legal ethics, case law, and professional responsibility rules related to conflicts of interest, as well as relevant procedures, policies, and practices of the firm related to conflicts, risk, and ethics issues.
• Reviews client outside counsel guidelines and engagement agreements to identify deviations from the Firm’s policies. Works with billing and relationship Partners to appropriately address deviations.
• Assists with the review and clearance of new hire candidates, including complete conflicts analysis and resolution, drafting engagement agreements and waivers as needed, communicating with recruiting and firm leadership regarding the status of conflicts issues for a candidate, and providing training to a new lateral partner hire.
• Reviews outside counsel guidelines and works with partners to prepare responses to clients that align with firm needs and requirements. Assists in the maintenance and documentation of clients’ agreements within our conflicts software and databases.
• Assists Client Development team and partners in reviewing and responding to Requests for Proposals and similar business opportunities.
• Prepares and delivers trainings for Conflicts team as well as firm attorneys and staff on topics related to conflicts, ethics, and professional responsibility. 
• Other duties as assigned.

LATERAL FOCUS

This position collaborates with colleagues to identify and resolve conflicts of interest issues, specifically those related to candidates’ former work or portable work.

• Conduct efficient review, identification, and resolution of conflicts of interest related to lateral candidates and new hires.
• Liaise directly, as needed, with recruiting, onboarding, firm leadership, and candidates throughout the clearance and onboarding process.
• Conducts training and provides resources on conflicts and new matter opening to new hires.

  

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Juris Doctor and active law license in the U.S. in the jurisdiction in which the candidate resides.
• Two or more years of conflicts-related experience preferred.
• Computer proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook) required. Experience with on-line reference materials and Boolean searching techniques preferred.
• Experience with Intapp Open and Intapp Terms strongly preferred.
• Ability to identify and analyze conflict of interest issues and to recommend and implement solutions. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to track, manage, and effectively prioritize numerous responsibilities, emails, and conflicts requests. 
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely communicate in an effective manner, particularly with respect to summarizing and simplifying complex or numerous conflicts issues. 
• Ability and availability to travel to other Firm locations on occasion as needed.

 

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements. The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position.  If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, please contact HR.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. The expected compensation ranges for this position in various states and jurisdictions are as follows:

• State of California: $135,000 - $276,000
• State of Colorado: $125,000 - $222,000
• State of Connecticut: $108,000 - $272,000
• State of Illinois: $122,000 - $237,000
• State of Massachusetts: $135,000 - $258,000
• State of Maryland: $131,000 - $199,000
• State of Maine: $92,000 - $212,000
• State of Minnesota: $135,000 - $224,000
• State of New York: $126,000 - $272,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $147,000 - $266,000
• State of Virginia: $88,000 - $257,000
• State of Vermont: $134,000 - $257,000
• State of Washington: $131,000 - $249,000
• Washington, D.C.: $174,000 - $257,000

The above salaries do not include a discretionary bonus, however bonus opportunities are non-guaranteed, and are dependent upon individual and firm performance. Full-time employees receive benefits including: medical and dental coverage; life insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax flexible spending account for certain medical and dependent care expenses; an employee assistance program; Paid Time Off; paid holidays; participation in a retirement plan program after meeting eligibility requirements; and more.

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet. Principal Applicants Only.

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Qualifications Education Required Juris Doctor or better. Experience Required Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to translate legal requirements into plain language. Direct, full-time conflicts experience at a large law firm. Ability to identify and analyze complex conflict of interest issues and recommend and implement solutions. Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.