Senior Director - Risk Management Operations (Leadership Of Conflicts & Docketing)

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 Senior Director of Risk Management Operations position. This position may be filled remotely, or in any of our locations.

The Senior Director of Risk Management Operations plays a critical role in our organization. Under the supervision and support of the General Counsel, this role is responsible for leading the operational aspects of the conflicts and docketing teams, as well as Risk Management operations generally. The Senior Director will work closely with the Conflicts and Docketing Directors, the Senior Conflicts and Ethics Counsel, and the rest of the Office of the General Counsel, as well as firm attorneys and other levels of firm administration, to facilitate docketing operations (both litigation and IP) and the resolution of Conflicts of interest and business sensitivity issues. This role is responsible for optimizing and standardizing the processes across the Risk Management Department and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. The Senior Director of Risk Management Operations collaborates with various departments and stakeholders to drive process improvement, efficiency, and effectiveness. Essential job functions include:

• Process Ownership: Take full ownership of business processes within the Risk Management Department, ensuring their efficiency, standardization, and adherence to best practices.  These processes include, but are not limited to, conflict checking and resolution, securing engagement and conflict waiver letters, litigation docketing, IP docketing, responses to auditor’s letters, and departing attorney matters including file transfers.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead efforts to continually assess and improve the designated processes by identifying areas for enhancement, implementing changes, and measuring impact.
• Standardization: Develop and maintain process standards, guidelines, and policies to ensure consistency across the Risk Management Department.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and regional process owners to align strategies, share best practices, and foster collaboration.
• Performance Metrics: Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of department processes, implementing necessary adjustments.
• Compliance: Ensure the processes adheres to all relevant regulatory and compliance requirements, making any necessary adjustments to maintain compliance.
• Training and Materials: Develop training materials and provide guidance to local teams to ensure understanding and proper execution of the processes.
• Change Management: Lead change initiatives related to the processes, guiding teams through transitions and addressing concerns.
• Responsible for assisting the firm’s Office of the General Counsel, attorneys, and Risk Management staff with operational issues relating to global conflicts and ethics functions.
• Responsible for operational functions which assist firm attorneys and management in the timely identification and resolution of complex conflict of interest issues as they arise in the intake of new business and the hiring of new employees or lateral attorneys/partners for the firm.
• Responsible for operational functions which assist firm attorneys and other professionals in the docketing of client deadlines in litigation, IP, and other matters, including the importation of new client information into existing systems.
• Provide guidance regarding internal procedural changes and compliance policies with input of the General Counsel’s office. Assist with information distribution, including trainings, concerning ethics, conflicts, and compliances issues.
• Stay informed of rule changes and legal developments on ethics, conflicts, docketing, and compliance issues as well as relevant industry best practices.
• Understand the docketing, conflicts, and ethics rules in each jurisdiction in which the firm practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, with an advanced business or law degree preferred.
• Eight (8) years of experience in a law firm environment with significant Docketing, Conflicts, and/or Ethics Experience required.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience leading a team and independently driving initiatives
• Exceptional analytical, writing, oral communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to understand difficult, complex ethical and business issues.
• Strict attention to detail is necessary.
• Proven experience in operational process improvement and strategic planning
• Ability to think critically and strategically to develop innovative recommendations to mitigate risks and add value
• Proven ability to analyze data, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement solutions
• Strong skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other Microsoft Office programs
• Substantive familiarity with relevant rules of professional conduct and relevant authorities applying the rules, and relevant IP and civil procedure rules relating to the docketing of attorney deadlines
• Must be responsible for completing tasks and following through with the resolution of issues with minimal supervision, including the ability to meet deadlines under very tight time constraints. 
• Ability to work efficiently to provide a quality and accurate work product. 

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: $193,000 - $370,000
• State of Colorado: $178,000 - $317,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $210,000 - $381,000
• State of New York: $180,000 - $389,000
• State of Washington: $188,000 - $356,000

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 submit a cover letter and resume when applying.

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet.  Principal Applicants Only.