Latham & Watkins, a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world, is currently seeking a Conflicts Attorney to join our winning team, located in Washington, D.C. The success of our firm is largely determined by our commitment to hire and develop the very best and brightest, creating a team that provides our clients with the highest quality of work and service. We are driven by our core values: respect, innovation and collaboration. The Conflicts Attorney will receive a generous total compensation package. Bonuses are awarded in recognition of individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham's comprehensive benefit program including healthcare, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401k plan, and more! In addition, employees receive 10 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure. As a Conflicts Attorney at Latham, you will be responsible for assisting the Firm’s Office of the General Counsel, Ethics Committee, attorneys, and Conflicts Department staff with legal issues relating to global conflicts, ethics functions, and operations while accomplishing these and other critical functions:

Developing and maintaining substantive knowledge of and familiarity with: a) the legal ethics and professional responsibility rules applicable in the Firm’s geographic jurisdictions, and b) Latham’s procedures, policies, and practices relating to conflicts and other ethical issues

Assisting attorneys and other Conflicts Department staff in identifying, evaluating, and resolving ethical conflict and business conflict issues relating to conflicts checks for laterals and new business matters; answering questions and providing legal guidance to the non-attorney Conflicts Department staff

Working directly with attorneys, Ethics Committee members, the Deputy General Counsel, and others as needed to facilitate the resolution of ethical conflict-related issues

Assisting with conflict clearance for confidential matters, including matters triggering the Firm’s public takeover policy

Understanding and using the Firm’s conflicts and new business software to perform and/or review situation-specific conflicts checks when requested, such as checks requested by the Executive Committee, checks requested on behalf of retired partners, or other checks outside of the normal new business and/or lateral conflict check processes

Serving as the primary attorney contact for conflict checks relating to Summer Associate hires and fall new hire classes for the Firm

Performing legal research and analysis projects relating to conflicts or other aspects of ethics and/or professional responsibility as requested by the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel, Ethics Committee, or Compliance and Ethics Attorneys

Providing administrative support and legal guidance for Ethics Committee and/or Office of the General Counsel projects including legal research, analysis, and various types of data management, including:

• creation, revision, and maintenance of engagement letter and waiver templates,
• reviewing outside counsel guidelines and similar documentation,
• creation, revision, and maintenance of intranet websites and other publicity and informational materials for the Ethics Committee, the Office of the General Counsel, and the conflicts department,
• providing client lists for departing attorneys,
• maintaining and updating conflicts-related policies, and
• updating and cataloging ethics training materials and publications

Preparing and providing consultations and formal and informal trainings for attorneys and staff on topics relevant to conflicts or other aspects of ethics and/or professional responsibility

Drafting or assisting attorneys in drafting, engagement, waiver, accountants’ letters, and ethics wall memoranda

Assisting with the assignment of Ethics Committee Members to lateral hire conflict checks

Completing special projects on various issues as needed

Promoting effective work practices, working as a team member, and showing respect for co-workers

As a Conflicts Attorney, you will be expected to apply your organizational and communication skills while displaying a positive, high-energy attitude. The successful Conflicts Attorney must possess knowledge of legal ethics and legal practice and superior communication skills, both written and verbal. An ideal candidate will exhibit an advanced ability to perceive and analyze problems and develop alternative strategies to solve them. The Conflicts Attorney will also display the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion and the ability to manage time well, prioritize effectively, and handle multiple deadlines. A Bachelor’s degree is required as well as a law degree from an accredited law school. The Conflicts Attorney must also have active bar qualification/membership in California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, or Texas. A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience practicing law and/or working on a conflicts team is required. Conflicts and ethics experience is strongly preferred. Experience working at a global law firm setting is also desired. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ link. Latham & Watkins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity, equal opportunity and sustainability enables Latham & Watkins to draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to create one of the world's leading law firms.

Required Skills Required Experience