Conflicts Counsel Manager

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

The Conflicts Counsel Manager oversees a team of Conflicts Counsel who work within the Conflicts Department to identify and resolve conflicts of interest issues related to the intake and maintenance of new and existing business, lateral clearance, outside counsel guidelines (OCGs), requests for proposals (RFPs), and other conflicts-related issues, as needed.

The Conflicts Counsel Manager directs and conducts specific processes of the Conflicts Counsel team, including timely and thorough review, identification and resolution of conflicts of interest issues, preparation of conflicts waivers and engagement letter language as needed, recommendations regarding ethical wall implementation and structure, review of Outside Counsel Guidelines, lateral candidates, and other ethics-related responsibilities. Further responsibilities will include proactive and clear communication with partners, staff, and firm leadership regarding conflicts requests and complex conflicts questions; maintaining thorough and accurate records of conflicts resolutions; and assistance with identifying and resolving erroneous, outdated, or incomplete conflicts information in existing records in order to maintain the integrity of information.  

The Conflicts Counsel Manager exercises a high level of discretion and independent judgment while complying and enforcing Departmental and Firm policies and procedures. This position is responsible for assuring compliance with applicable Rules of Professional Conduct, assisting with and managing other ethical risk mitigation issues, and assuming responsibility for identifying and resolving legal and commercial conflicts issues.  Essential duties are performed personally or through delegation/supervision of subordinates. 

The Conflicts Counsel Manager is the primary member of the Conflicts Department responsible for the personnel leadership of the team of Conflicts Counsel, including providing feedback, overseeing timeliness of work product, conducting performance management, and managing the review process for the team. The Conflicts Counsel Manager works closely with the leadership of the Conflicts Department to create best practices and procedures, and written guidelines or instructions for the Conflicts Counsel team. Essential job functions include:

• Oversees all performance management and personnel leadership aspects of Conflicts Counsel. This includes, but is not limited to: onboarding, training, development, evaluations, and administrative responsibilities.
• Maintains a thorough working knowledge of the technologies that support the daily operations of the Conflicts department, including but not limited to InTapp Open and InTapp Terms.
• Serves as a primary resource for the Conflicts, Client Engagement, and Risk Management departments on legal questions involving conflicts of interest.
• Discusses conflict of interest issues with Attorneys, Conflicts Analysts, Conflicts Counsel, and other conflicts, staff, and firm members to identify and resolve potential conflicts of interest, while maintaining objectivity and professional independence. 
• Reviews conflict of interest requests and reports to provides a concise and complete evaluation of potential conflict issues along with communicating and executing steps for resolution. Documents resolutions.
• As needed, prepares all routine conflicts waivers, assists firm partners with revising waivers, identifies need for unusual conflicts waivers and assists with preparation of same, and monitors obtaining necessary waivers or other approvals before matters are approved to be opened.
• 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.
• Reviews client outside counsel guidelines and engagement agreements to identify deviations from the Firm’s policies. Works with billing and relationship Partners to appropriately address deviations.
• Assists with the review and clearance of new hire candidates, including complete conflicts analysis and resolution, drafting engagement agreements and waivers as needed, communicating with recruiting and firm leadership regarding the status of conflicts issues for a candidate, and providing training to a new lateral partner hire.
• Reviews outside counsel guidelines and works with partners to prepare responses to clients that align with firm needs and requirements. Assists in the maintenance and documentation of clients’ agreements within our conflicts software and databases.
• Assists Client Development team and partners in reviewing and responding to Requests for Proposals and similar business opportunities.
• Prepares and delivers trainings for Conflicts team as well as firm attorneys and staff on topics related to conflicts, ethics, and professional responsibility. 
• Other duties as requested.

Position Requirements

• Juris Doctor and an active law license in the U.S.
• Five or more years of experience as a Conflicts Attorney, Conflicts Counsel, or other similar position in an international or large domestic law firm. 
• Computer proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook) required.
• Experience with InTapp Open required.
• 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.
• Ability to track, manage, and effectively prioritize numerous responsibilities, emails, and conflicts requests. 
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely communicate in an effective manner, particularly with respect to summarizing and simplifying complex or numerous conflicts issues. 
• 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.  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: $151,000 - $308,000
• State of Colorado: $139,000 - $248,000
• State of Illinois: $136,000 - $265,000
• Jersey City, NJ: 164,000 - $297,000
• State of Maryland: $146,000 - $222,000
• State of Massachusetts: $151,000 - $289,000
• State of Minnesota: $151,000 - $250,000
• State of New York: $141,000 - $304,000
• State of Vermont: $149,000 - $286,000
• State of Washington: $146,000 - $278,000
• Washington, D.C.: $195,000 - $286,000

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.