Job Description

DESCRIPTION/JOB SUMMARY

The Conflicts Analyst works closely with Conflicts Attorneys and other members of the Conflicts & Legal Ethics Group on the identification, review, analysis and resolution of conflicts of interest and other issues, and the processing of new business submissions, so that the Firm may accept new clients and matters under prevailing ethics rules, applicable law and internal policies. 

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES

• Directly interface with Conflict Attorneys in analyzing conflict check inquiries for firm-wide new business intake
• Prepare and obtain conflicts waivers
• Implement the Firm's restricted list procedures and quarterly audit
• Establish and monitor ethical screens
• Review and revise client engagement letters
• Research corporate history of clients and parties to new business matters
• Conduct conflict checks for lateral hires
• Review and verify open/closed/last time entry dates
• Monitor and review new business intake forms with an understanding of commercial and litigation matters, ensuring submitted party or matter information is correct and following up with Partners for more information if necessary
• Gather information from internal/external databases and from attorneys involved in prospective matters to conduct factual research on prospective clients or involved parties in order  to determine the status of relevant matters and to provide analysis as to establish whether a potential conflict of interest exists
• Utilize research applications such as CapitalIQ, Edgar, WorldCheckOne and Thomson Reuters
• Respond to inquiries regarding conflicts and other new business issues and communicate findings to Partners and Conflicts Attorneys with accuracy, confidence and professionalism
• Ascertain the nature of parties' roles in particular matters
• Input information into the conflicts database and update entries in the database as additional information is available
• Assist with other duties related to the resolution and clearance of conflicts of interest issues
• Work closely with all members of the Conflicts & Legal Ethics Group, and with Firm partners, other lawyers, paralegals, secretaries and other levels of management in the Firm
• Handle projects and other duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS

• 4 plus years' experience working for a corporation or financial institution in an analyst capacity
• An understanding of the type of work handled by a large global law firm, and of commercial and legal terms and matters
• Ability to articulate an understanding of legal relationships and the nature of representations undertaken
• Strong issue tracking, follow up, and resolution skills
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of personnel with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to communicate professionally, clearly, concisely and diplomatically both verbally and in writing
• Proficiency using research applications such as Capital IQ and WorldCheckOne
• Ability to learn and utilize specialized internal conflict checking software and multiple software applications and workflow processes of various departments in the Firm
• Ability to perform tasks accurately with attention to detail
• Ability to analyze and summarize conflict scenarios, articulate potential issues, and suggest resolutions to attorneys
• Ability to apply both logic and common sense in handling a variety of  instructions provided in written, verbal and diagram forms
• A high degree of initiative in exercising independent judgment and decision making in order to handle multiple functions in a fast-paced, detail- oriented work environment and to adapt quickly to changes in workflow, processes and procedures
• Well-organized, with an ability to prioritize, quickly zeroing in on critical tasks, sensing what will help or hinder accomplishing a tasks, eliminate roadblocks and see a project through from start to finish
• Proven organizational skills with the ability to provide a high volume of quality and accurate work product efficiently
• Ability to manage complex projects and assignments while maintaining tight deadlines
• Proven follow-through skills and the ability to troubleshoot
• Flexibility to work additional hours occasionally as needed

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Previous experience in a legal conflicts and new business intake preferred
• Knowledge of legal conflicts and experience with conflicts resolution, with an understanding of corporate law practice a plus

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Paralegal certificate and/or JD