Conflicts Counsel

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 position.  This position may be filled remotely, or in any of our locations.

This Conflicts Counsel position is dedicated to reviewing, negotiating and managing Client Contracts: client-provided Outside Counsel Guidelines, client Billing Policies, client forms of engagement letter, and the Firm’s own engagement letters.  The Conflicts Counsel will review Client Contracts for consistency with Firm policies; provide comments on and revisions to Client Contracts to the attorneys responsible for the respective clients; assist responsible attorneys in negotiations with their clients; respond to changes or comments provided by clients as needed until all issues are resolved; and obtain appropriate authorizations for variations from Firm policies as required.  The Conflicts Counsel will also work in Intapp Terms, the Firm’s program and database for Client Contracts, to document issues concerning Client Contracts and their resolution; coordinate with other firm departments regarding the Firm’s Client Contract procedures; communicate with firm attorneys and members of the Conflicts Department concerning Client Contracts and their terms; and assume responsibility for compliance with the Firm’s Client Contract policies and procedures.  The Conflicts Counsel may assist with other conflicts, loss prevention and compliance activities as requested. The Conflicts Counsel exercises discretion and independent judgment while working under the general direction of the General Counsel (GC), the Senior Conflicts & Ethics Counsel, and established Firm policies and procedures. Essential duties are performed personally or through delegation/supervision of subordinates.

The Conflicts Counsel is a staff attorney who understands the rules that govern legal practice, has a thorough knowledge and understanding of Firm policies and procedures for Client Contracts, and can design and implement practical operational processes to ensure compliance with those rules, policies, and procedures. The Conflicts Counsel does not practice law for any client other than the Firm and maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and Firm matters. Essential functions include:

• Maintains a thorough working knowledge of the technologies that support the Firm’s daily operations regarding Client Contracts, in particular Intapp Terms.
• Serves as resource for Firm attorneys and staff on Client Contracts and Firm policies and procedures relating to Client Contracts.
• Reviews Client Contracts and provides a timely, concise and complete evaluation of potential issues along with recognized steps for resolution. Documents resolutions in Intapp Terms and as otherwise requested.
• Prepares comments/revisions to Client Contracts for firm attorneys to present to their clients, assists firm partners with negotiations regarding Client Contracts, monitors obtaining client consent to revised Client Contracts, and ensures that final agreements with clients are properly documented and stored in Intapp Terms.
• Discusses Client Contract issues with Firm staff, attorneys, other Conflicts Counsel, the Senior Conflicts & Ethics Counsel, Deputy/Assistant General Counsel, and General Counsel to identify and resolve potential issues relating to Client Contracts, while maintaining objectivity and professional independence. 
• Reviews language in engagement letters to ensure that it adequately addresses conflicts and engagement issues.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct as adopted in each state in which the Firm maintains an office, and jurisdictional differences in all states and practice areas in which the Firm conducts business.
• Participates in professional organizations that promote the ongoing education and development of professional ethics in the legal industry.
• Other duties as assigned by the Senior Conflicts & Ethics Counsel, the GC/AGC, Ethics Partners, or other members of Husch Blackwell leadership. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Juris Doctorate and active law license in U.S. jurisdiction in which candidate is located.
• Two or more years of private practice legal experience desired, preferably in a large firm environment.
• One or more years of conflicts-related experience preferred; alternatively, 2 or more years of other risk management experience.
• One or more years of contract review and negotiation experience desirable.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating Outside Counsel Guidelines and similar Client Contracts strongly desired, preferably in an Intapp Terms environment. 
• Computer proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook) required. Experience with on-line reference materials and Boolean searching techniques preferred.
• Ability to learn and utilize specialized internal conflict checking software. Issue tracking, follow-up, and resolution skills are essential.
• Outstanding analytical skills requiring an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic in order to conduct detailed analyses of complex conflict documentation, prior legal affiliation forms, conflict resolutions and waivers, and process large volumes of detailed confidential information.
• Ability to identify and analyze complex conflict of interest issues and problems and to recommend and implement solutions. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Strong legal writing and legal research skills with the ability to translate legal requirements into plain language.
• 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.  Please reach out to our HR team to request an accommodation.

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: $111,000 - $211,000
• State of Colorado: $102,000 - $182,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $120,000 - $182,000
• State of New York: $103,000 - $223,000
• State of Washington: $107,000 - $204,000

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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