Conflicts and Business Intake Compliance Counsel

Duane Morris LLP, a global law firm with 900+ attorneys in offices across the U.S. and around the world, offers innovative solutions to the legal and business challenges presented by today’s evolving global markets.

This position can reside in any of our office locations in the United States.

About the role

The Conflicts and Business Intake Compliance Counsel will act as counsel to the law firm in identifying and resolving actual and potential conflicts of interest arising from new business intake and the hiring of lawyers and staff. The role involves assisting with the onboarding of clients, matters, lawyers, and staff, as well as providing legal and operational support for the Office of General Counsel in implementing risk management strategies related to new business intake, legal hiring, compliance, and other legal matters. Members of the Office of General Counsel work as an integrated team with other firm departments and serve as trusted advisors to partners, associates, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial review of conflicts reports requested by firm attorneys, identify actual and potential conflicts of interest, and coordinate resolution among all involved parties.
• Advise the firm and its attorneys on the appropriate form and terms of engagement letters, and assist in drafting them as needed.
• Approve engagement letter drafts prior to distribution to clients and assist with drafting waivers for inclusion in engagement letters or separate letters as required.
• Monitor compliance with new business intake instructions and requirements, including completion and execution of engagement letters, necessary waivers, ethical screens, and risk assessment.
• Serve as a resource for firm attorneys in understanding conflicts of interest and managing new business intake, including participation in firm presentations and training programs.
• Review conflicts reports for incoming lateral lawyers, new lawyers, and legal support staff, and take necessary action to clear actual and potential conflicts, including interfacing with candidates for additional information.
• Provide legal advice on professional responsibility and risk management matters, including development and updating of firm policies, forms, and internal documents.
• Review and provide legal advice on client Outside Counsel Guidelines and vendor contracts.
• Assist in developing strategies and methodologies for identifying, managing, and resolving conflicts of interest and assessing client and matter fit.
• Develop and/or conduct internal conflicts training for the firm’s lawyers and staff.

Requirements

• J.D. degree.
• Member of the State Bar in good standing in the Duane Morris office where the candidate will sit.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience as a practicing lawyer in a business law firm environment and/or prior experience as a conflicts attorney in a law firm setting.

Qualifications

• Adheres to the highest ethical standards for behavior.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective communication with a diverse group of lawyers and staff.
• Ability to recognize actual and potential conflicts of interest under applicable professional standards and resolve them effectively.
• Prior experience as a conflicts attorney, or in legal ethics, conflicts analysis, and/or representation of law firms.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare, dental, vision, and prescription plans.
• Commuter, HSA, and FSA spending accounts.
• Short-term and long-term disability and life insurance coverage.
• 401k and Pension Plan.
• 20 vacation days and 11 paid holidays.
• Employee Referral Bonus ($3,000).

Schedule

Full-time, 5-day work week with standard hours as outlined in the firm policy manual. Additional hours may be required to meet deadlines. Limited domestic travel may be necessary for training, firm meetings, or CLE programs.