Conflicts Counsel- Chicago (3-6 Years)

We are proactively building a pipeline of talented attorneys with three (3) to six (6) years of relevant experience who are interested in future Conflicts Counsel opportunities. While there may not be an immediate opening, we welcome applications from qualified candidates who would like to be considered for upcoming positions within our legal, risk management, and compliance functions.

The Conflicts Counsel serves as a trusted advisor on conflicts of interest, legal ethics, professional responsibility, and related risk management matters. This role works closely with attorneys, firm leadership, conflicts professionals, and business stakeholders to identify, analyze, and resolve conflicts issues associated with new business intake, lateral attorney hiring, client engagements, and other firm initiatives.

The ideal candidate possesses strong legal judgment, excellent analytical skills, and a practical approach to balancing ethical obligations with business objectives.

Position Summary

The Conflicts Counsel is responsible for providing legal guidance regarding conflicts of interest, professional responsibility obligations, outside counsel guidelines, engagement terms, and related compliance matters. The role involves reviewing and analyzing conflict reports, advising attorneys on ethical issues, conducting legal research, and supporting firm-wide risk management initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyze and resolve conflicts of interest related to new business intake, client engagements, lateral attorney hiring, and other firm matters.
• Review conflict reports and conduct detailed legal analysis of potential conflicts issues.
• Provide guidance and recommendations regarding conflict resolution strategies, including waivers, consents, and ethical screens.
• Partner with conflicts, intake, and risk management teams to ensure timely resolution of conflicts concerns.
• Escalate complex conflicts and ethics issues to firm leadership as appropriate.

Ethics and Professional Responsibility

• Advise attorneys and business professionals regarding legal ethics, professional responsibility rules, and firm policies.
• Interpret and apply applicable rules of professional conduct across multiple jurisdictions.
• Assist in evaluating ethical obligations related to client representations, attorney mobility, confidentiality, and privilege issues.
• Support the development and implementation of ethics and compliance best practices.

Client Engagement Terms and Risk Management

• Review outside counsel guidelines, engagement letters, requests for proposals (RFPs), and client contractual terms.
• Identify provisions that may create legal, ethical, operational, or business risks.
• Partner with attorneys and firm leadership to negotiate and respond to client requirements consistent with firm policies.
• Advise on engagement terms, conflict waivers, consent requests, and related documentation.

Legal Research and Advisory Support

• Conduct legal research and prepare written analyses regarding professional responsibility, ethics, compliance, and risk management issues.
• Monitor developments in ethics rules, regulations, and industry trends that may impact firm operations.
• Draft policies, procedures, memoranda, and guidance materials related to conflicts and professional responsibility matters.
• Support internal investigations, audits, and compliance reviews as needed.

Training and Education

• Develop and deliver training programs related to conflicts of interest, legal ethics, professional responsibility, and risk management.
• Create educational materials and resources for attorneys and business professionals.
• Serve as a resource for questions regarding conflicts procedures, firm policies, and ethical obligations.

Projects and Operational Support

• Participate in strategic initiatives and special projects involving conflicts management, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Assist with maintaining templates, knowledge resources, and other risk management materials.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve processes, workflows, and technology supporting conflicts and ethics functions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts within the Office of General Counsel and Risk Management departments.

Qualifications

Required

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Three (3) to six (6) years of experience practicing law or working in conflicts, professional responsibility, risk management, compliance, new business intake, or related legal functions.
• Strong understanding of legal ethics principles and conflicts of interest analysis.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with attorneys and business professionals at all levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information.

Preferred

• Experience in a law firm, alternative legal services provider, or corporate legal department.
• Experience as a Conflicts Attorney, Conflicts Counsel, Ethics Attorney, Risk Attorney, Professional Responsibility Attorney, or similar role.
• Familiarity with conflicts management systems, intake platforms, and legal research tools.
• Experience reviewing outside counsel guidelines and client engagement terms.
• Experience advising on lateral attorney conflicts and new matter intake.
• Experience developing and delivering legal or compliance-related training programs.

Pay Details: $150,000.00 to $200,000.00 per year

Search managed by: Nicholas Romley

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.