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identifying, resolving, and documenting erroneous, outdated, or incomplete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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