Conflicts Counsel

Baker Botts, a full-service, leading international law firm recognized for our understanding of the industries we serve, is seeking a Conflicts Counsel to join the Office of General Counsel. This position is responsible for reviewing conflicts reports and assisting in the identification and clearance of potential conflicts of interest primarily in connection with new business intake.  The role may also include conflicts analysis relating to hiring of new lawyers and non-lawyer staff on an as-needed basis. The Conflicts Counsel provides support for Office of General Counsel in implementing risk management strategies relating to new business intake and lawyer hiring. This is a full-time, exempt position with excellent benefits, and can be resident in any of our U.S. offices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review, analyze, and summarize conflict reports for new clients and matters, identifying potential conflicts, risk management issues, and client relationship concerns, and assist lawyers in drafting and obtaining any necessary waivers, tailoring engagement letters, communicating with clients, and/or drafting and implementing ethical walls, where necessary (70%)
• Consult with lawyers, managers, and staff on ad hoc questions relating to prospective conflicts search requests, conflicts issues, waivers, engagement letters and client outside counsel guidelines, ethical walls, court filings, and certain other risk-management topics (25%)
• Assist Conflicts Counsel – Attorney Hiring with conflict reports for new and lateral lawyers and professional staff and take necessary action to clear potential conflicts of interest, including drafting and obtaining former client waivers and drafting and implementing ethical walls (5%)

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Handle other risk management-related tasks, as assigned by the Office of the General Counsel.  Tasks might include development and updating of forms for internal use, performing legal research on legal ethics/risk management issues, and developing and presenting training topics for lawyers and professional staff.

Knowledge and Skills:

Required:

• 2-3 years' experience as practicing lawyer in a large business law firm environment
• J.D. degree
• Member, in good standing, of the state bar in the jurisdiction where candidate will perform work
• If candidate is not licensed in such jurisdiction, must be willing to become licensed at the earliest available opportunity 
• Candidate must work in a jurisdiction where the firm has an office
• Adheres to highest ethical standards for behavior
• Strong organizational and planning skills, including the ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to command respect from partners, managers and staff and to permit effective communication in person, by email and telephone with a diverse group of lawyers and staff at all levels

Preferred:

• Minimum 4 years' experience as practicing lawyer in a large business law firm environment
• Ability to recognize conflicts of interest under applicable professional standards and other issues that could be viewed as a conflict of interest by an existing client and effectively discuss and resolve such matter with the supervising lawyer
• Familiarity with IntApp Open conflicts system and other IntApp software products (e.g., Wall Builder)

Extent of Contact (Within and outside the Firm):

This position requires contact with individuals within the Firm as follows:

• A high degree of contact with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel and other Conflicts Counsel
• A high degree of contact with the Business Intake & Compliance Group management and staff
• A moderate to high degree of contact with other legal support staff, partners and other lawyers

This position requires a low degree of contact with individuals outside the Firm, such as candidates for employment.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to sit for extensive periods of time, either while using the telephone or computer
• Must be able to lift to 10 pounds, squat, kneel and bend
• Must be able to work in a high-pressure environment with time restraints and frequent interruptions

Working Condition and Environment:

• Work is normally performed in a typical office environment, which includes the ability to visit face-to-face and virtually with colleagues
• Position is full-time and requires a five-day work week and standard hours as outlined in the Firm policy manual
• Additional hours, including weekend and evening hours may be required to perform the essential functions of the job
• Position may require occasional out-of-town travel, including weekends
• This role is fully remote. You will be required to come to the office when there is a business or client need

 

The salary range for this position if filled in New York is $148,000-$210,000 annually, if filled in Washington, DC is $144,000 - $204,000 annually, and if filled in Palo Alto or San Francisco, CA is $148,000-$210,000 annually. The actual compensation will be based on a combination of factors.

Baker Botts L.L.P.  is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

Salary

• $144,000 - $204,000/year