Conflicts Counsel and Manager

The Conflicts Counsel & Manager executes the overall strategy for and management of processes related to the analysis and resolution of potential conflicts. The Conflicts Counsel & Manager will also be responsible for managing the firm’s new business intake and conflict checking systems. This includes management of the remote conflicts team.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Executes the overall strategy for and management of the firm’s processes related to new business intake and the analysis and resolution of potential conflicts.
• Assesses potential conflicts identified by the Conflicts Analysts and Conflicts Coordinators, whether arising as a result of new business intake for Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, or incoming lateral attorneys; determines when a conflicts review should be escalated to the Director of Conflicts and Client Information.
• 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 Director of Conflicts and Client Information.
• Ensures all requests are being handled accurately and in compliance with the Global Conflicts Process and Global Conflicts Policy.
• Supervises the establishment of ethical screens and monitors compliance with such screens.
• 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.
• Works collaboratively with conflicts Business Professionals at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP to resolve conflicts efficiently and effectively.
• Reviews client-provided outside counsel guidelines for non-standard engagement terms and maintains a database of client-specific engagement terms.
• Helps design and facilitates improvement of the firm’s new business intake and conflicts system.
• Ensures the conflicts team is trained on applicable Firm systems and processes relating to conflict resolution.
• Maintains a training manual for the Conflicts Analysis team.
• Manages the entire conflicts team to include Conflicts Analysts, Conflicts Coordinators, Conflicts Counsel and Conflicts Analysts.
• Recommends process improvements and implements the same upon the approval and direction of the Director of Conflicts & Client Information;
• Determines appropriate staffing levels and hourly shifts to ensure global service coverage.
• Provides support in such other areas as the Director of Conflicts and Client Information deems appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A JD from a recognized 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 conflicts, new business intake, rules of professional conduct and ethics experience. 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.
• Strong technology skills and the ability to embrace and master new technologies easily and effectively. Experience on current legal applications and technology including Intapp Conflicts, Intapp Wallbuider, Agile Point BPM and Aderant desired.

Salary is commensurate with years of relevant experience & geographic location. The range for this position is $108,000 – $180,000.

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.