Job Details
We have an exciting opportunity for a Conflicts Counsel at Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP. We are searching for someone who wants to be a valued contributor and member of a talented and dynamic team of lawyers, paralegals and business professionals.
The Conflicts Counsel is responsible for working closely with the Manager and Director to develop a centralized intake review and compliance process for Outside Counsel Guidelines ( OCGs ), engagement letters, and waiver letters. The Counsel is also responsible for assessing and resolving potential conflicts, whether arising as a result of new business intake or incoming lateral attorneys.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Work with the Manager and Director to develop and implement a centralized Outside Counsel Guideline ("OCG") intake, review and compliance process.
- Work with the above individuals to establish Firm objectives, pressure points and agreeable alternative language regarding relevant areas covered by OCGs (e.g. conflicts, governing law, indemnity, confidentiality, AI).
- Review and evaluate client OCGs in line with Firm objectives.
- Assist lawyers in negotiating OCG provisions/amendments with Firm clients.
- Work with the Manager and Director to develop and implement an improved and centralized engagement letter approval, review and compliance process.
- Assist lawyers in negotiating client amendments to standard engagement letters.
- Regularly evaluate standard engagement letter forms and update as needed.
- Work with the Manager and Director to develop and implement a centralized waiver review and retention process.
- Assist lawyers with drafting and negotiating client amendments to waivers.
- Work with the Manager and Director to develop and implement an introductory new client due diligence process (anti-money laundering/know your client compliance).
- Draft memos establishing ethical screens and monitors compliance with such screens.
- Draft, implement and monitor compliance with forms, policies and guidance relating to OCGs, engagement letters, waiver letters, ethical screens, and new client due diligence procedures.
- Analyze and resolve potential conflicts for new business intake and incoming lateral attorneys.
- Works collaboratively and proactively with the Firm s attorneys in addressing any conflicts or new business intake issues with the aim of resolving all such issues consistent with Firm policy and applicable ethics rules. Determines when any such issue should be escalated for review by the Manager and/or Director.
- Maintains knowledge of current laws and rules pertaining to conflicts of interest in each jurisdiction in which the firm maintains an office and ensures consistent conflicts and ethics practices across all of the firm s offices.
- Assists with the implementation of litigation holds as directed by the Director.
- Design and deliver training as part of project work and as part of Eversheds Sutherland (US) s wider compliance program.
- Other strategic risk management projects as agreed with the Manager and/or Director.
- Provides support in such other areas as the Manager and Director deem appropriate.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- A JD from a well-regarded law school, in addition to a Bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university. Admission to a bar in a jurisdiction in which the Firm has an office in the U.S.
- At least four years of combined experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm or equivalent experience, combined with recent law firm compliance experience working in and supporting a matrixed, multi-location and multi-office organization. Global Law firm experience is preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and proven analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize workloads.
- Ability to present ideas in a business-friendly and user-friendly language, and to analyze and process complex material.
This is a remote role and salary is commensurate with years of relevant experience & geographic location. The range for this position is $108,700-$208,100.
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our Firm and in the larger legal profession. We believe that diverse skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger firm. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP maintains a policy of affording all employees and applicants equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression or transgender status), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital or familial status, domestic violence victim status, ancestry, amnesty, citizenship status, ethnicity, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation will not be tolerated in any of the Firm s offices or any other work-related setting. Qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position or to enable them to perform the essential functions of a position for which they are otherwise qualified. EEO.