Conflicts Attorney

Job Summary

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in London, the Conflicts Attorney will join the Office of General Counsel and will assist with all aspects of conflicts clearance for new clients and matters. They will be responsible for daily review and analysis of conflicts and other issues related to firm acceptance of new clients, new matters and lateral attorneys, and interface with Firm’s partners regarding approval of new matter and lateral attorney hiring requests. The Conflicts Attorney will handle additional assignments from the Firm’s General Counsel and firm administration, as needed.

The Conflicts Attorney will report directly to the Director of Conflicts Attorney and will work closely with the Firm’s Chief Legal Operations Officer and Director of Conflicts & Information Governance and partners throughout the Firm.

Responsibilities include:

• Analyzes conflict of interest reports for all new firm representations and lateral attorney hires to identify potential conflict problems to ensure new matters and attorney hires are compliant with the firm’s conflict and risk management policies and procedures.
• Resolves conflict of interest issues (to include obtaining necessary waivers and drafting ethics wall memos) related to the firm’s clearance of new clients, new matters and lateral attorneys.
• Analyzes information provided with new matter requests for compliance with firm policies and applicable rules of professional responsibility, and reviews and edits draft engagement letters for compliance with same.
• Proactively communicate with partners and management regarding complex conflicts issues.
• Reviews client outside counsel guidelines and assists with assessment of firm’s ability to comply.
• Conducts orientation of staff and attorneys regarding new matter approval process.
• Consult with partners, professional responsibility committee and information governance to create and maintain effective screening restrictions.
• Maintain thorough and accurate records of all conflicts resolutions and related communications.
• Develop expertise on conflicts rules and approaches in specific practice areas and formulate templates and frameworks of analysis for conflicts issues in such areas.
• Perform corporate research as required.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with attorneys and staff.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work in a dynamic and complex environment to meet deadlines and daily requirements.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain a productive committed work effort, meeting deadlines and managing workload.
• Ability to analyze and interpret information from a variety of sources, apply critical and creative thinking, and pay strong attention to detail, to draw valid conclusions of develop solutions to complex problems.
• Strong analytic, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Methodological approach to work with a strong focus on accuracy, attention to detail, consistency and good decision-making skills.
• Aptitude for learning new systems, including ability to participate in discussions about design of existing or new system based on departmental and firm needs.
• Able to work under pressure to tight project deadlines and able to adapt to competing demands and prioritize tasks to ensure complete follow-through on outstanding issues.

Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD) required.
• Minimum of three years of experience as an attorney within a conflicts department is required.
• Strong knowledge of conflict-of-interest principles under professional responsibility rules across various jurisdictions, with demonstrated experience in analyzing conflicts of interest and the applicable laws governing them.
• Strong technological skills, knowledge of conflicts clearance and ethical screening software preferred.
• Familiarity with legal software, including Intapp, D&B/Hoovers, CapIQ, and BvD.

 

 

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Location:

London

EEO Statement

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all partners, employees and applicants and, in accordance with the applicable federal and state laws, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, religion, matriculation or political affiliation, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, age, marital status or partnership status, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, personal appearance, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, arrest or conviction record, or on any other basis prohibited by law.