The Conflicts and Ethics Attorney (“Attorney”) is a full-time, exempt, salaried position in the Client Intake & Conflicts Department, supervised by and reporting to the Assistant Firm Counsel & Director of Client Intake & Conflicts (“Director”). This is a thirty‑five (35) hour per week position with hours of employment being Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From time to time it may be necessary for the Attorney to work additional hours or change his/her hours in order to ensure all coverage and/or deadlines are met.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Collaborate with Conflicts Department staff and facilitate the resolution of conflicts, including the drafting of conflict waivers, and erecting ethical walls as appropriate. Conduct higher-level conflicts resolution analyses including corporate separateness research, and analyzing existing engagement terms, as appropriate. Facilitate resolution of business conflicts among attorneys.
- Draft engagement letters and side letters in consultation with the requesting attorneys and Director.
- Review Outside Counsel Guidelines for items within the Conflicts Department’s purview including identifying items we need to modify and negotiate, coordinate review by other departments as appropriate. Interface with clients on modifications to same.
- Conduct due diligence on potential clients. Identify potential red flags in connection with the worthiness of a prospective client to Director or requesting attorney, as appropriate. Conduct analyses on potential new clients and new work and issue-spot areas of risk associated with each.
- Act as a Conflicts Department ambassador and respond to special needs, requests and problems of both attorneys and staff regarding conflicts, ethics and client engagement issues. Serve as a legal resource to the attorneys and staff including in connection with negotiating and reviewing firm contracts, advising on ethics issues, and assessing risk. Elevate to the Director as appropriate.
- Collaborate with the Lateral Recruiting team in connection with potential lateral hires. Conduct comprehensive analysis of potential conflicts concerns for a potential lateral hire; conduct conflicts resolution with firm attorneys, as appropriate, and – together with Director, provide Director of Lateral Recruiting clear direction on whether the firm can hire candidates and with what caveats.
- Assist the Director to develop and implement risk management protocols; train and, as appropriate, delegate conflicts and intake tasks to other Conflicts Department members, including verification of such tasks once they are completed.
- Train staff members and attorneys in conflicts of interest and other ethical rules. Develop cross-departmental relationships with Firm personnel impacted by, and in charge with aspects of, the Firm’s conflicts resolution processes.
- Provide direction to the Conflicts Department staff during absences of the Director to ensure that all job duties and the department functions are accurately and timely completed. Act as an indirect people manager to junior conflicts staff.
- Lead department projects as may be assigned by the Director and collaborate with other departments as applicable.
- Manage file transfers to successor counsel or to clients; work with Accounting Department to process client and matter closures.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- JD required.
- Four or more years of work experience in a legal and/or compliance environment required where research, drafting, and analytical skillsets were honed with at least three of those four years as an attorney.
- Some conflicts and ethics experience preferred but not required for those in possession of transferable skills. Nevertheless, candidates must have knowledge and relative command of rules of professional conduct for attorneys including a demonstrated ability to analyze and appropriately identify and resolve potential conflicts of interest.
- Experience with legal drafting and rigorous attention to detail skills. Superior organizational skills, self-starter, and independently-functioning.
- Unimpeachable ethics and the ability to safeguard confidential information.
- Ability to, and comfort with, working in a fast-paced environment. Excellent customer service and collaborative skillsets required.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
- Experience working with, and demonstrated command of Microsoft Office, Kofax Power PDF/Adobe Acrobat with the demonstrated ability to learn software and programs such as Microsoft Excel, Intapp, and Aderant.
- Experience working with, and demonstrated command of, online research tools such as Lexis, WestLaw, Capital IQ, Hoovers/Family Tree Portal, DNBi, the Internet and/or various other resources.
- Superior analytical and research skills; a demonstrated ability to compile, review, and make logical conclusions or recommendations based on data and information that is varied in content and format. Strong legal drafting skills with a demonstrated desire to participate in further educational opportunities to enhance skillset.
- Possess strong interpersonal skills with excellent verbal and written communication skills combined with a desire to learn about the Firm’s practice areas, clients, and processes.
- Able to manage multiple responsibilities; work independently; participate as a team member in projects; maintain accurate records; set and keep to schedules; set and reset priorities; and work well under pressure.
- Detail oriented and flexible and treat all Firm matters with strict confidentiality.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Hybrid in person/remote out of Boston Office.
- Be technically proficient with the software and research tools used to perform job duties.
- Work continually in a highly organized and timely manner.
- Continually learn and grow in the position.
- Remain composed and interact positively and professionally with higher management, peers, and subordinates in all situations.
- Communicate effectively in person, in writing and electronically.
- Meet physical demands of the position explained below.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
The employee must be able to work in close, tight quarters within the department. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit for many of his/her job duties. There will be a moderate amount of standing, stooping, kneeling, bending and reaching for some of his/her job duties. Visual requirements include reading off of a computer screen as well as printed materials. A high degree of dexterity is required due to the frequent use of a keyboard and telephone. Verbal and auditory requirements include the ability to communicate clearly over the telephone as well as in person. There is a low level of grasping, lifting, pushing and/or pulling of objects of less than 25 lbs.
The job description illustrates the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Nutter is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or protected veteran status.
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