Conflicts Analyst

Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 650 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

Conflicts Analyst

Under the general direction of the Conflicts Manager and according to established Firm policies and procedures, is responsible for maintaining the Conflicts databases and for producing Conflicts reports by structuring search strategies and utilizing independent judgment that both accurately and efficiently produce anticipated results. Maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and firm matters.

This is a full-time position working Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Conflicts Analyst I position will allow significant opportunity to work from home with occasional office presence required. Overtime may be required as dictated by business and training needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Define complex conflict search strategies using Boolean logic. Analyze result set by filtering hits to ensure that anticipated results reflect potential conflicts and that false hits are eliminated from the results.
• Perform data entry to maintain Conflicts database. Duties include, but are not limited to, initial setup and on-going maintenance of all party information in the database with correct position/relationship codes.
• Review new matters and revision requests to ensure party positions and relationships, area of law codes, and matter descriptions appear accurate and that appropriate approvals have been obtained.
• Perform corporate research using electronic databases to determine lineage and other corporate information.
• Establish and maintain ethical walls to screen individuals from particular clients and matters as part of the conflict clearing process.
• Participate in the development and mentoring of Conflict Department peers, including training on conflict database software, Firm policies and procedures.
• Efficiently prepare and distribute Departmental reports with an acute attention to detail.
• Consistently maintain pre-established quantity and quality measures of performance.
• Act as back-up to compliance coordinators in the assistance and preparation of Audit Letters.
• Develop proficiency in completing bankruptcy disclosures and assist with live requests on an as-needed basis.
• Ensure exceptional client service levels are achieved in delivery of services to Legal Executive Assistants, Legal Administrative Assistants, Paralegals and Attorneys.
• Responsible for reviewing and processing new matter and revision requests and prioritizing workflow as necessary.
• Communicate issues with clarity utilizing strong problem-solving skills and escalate when necessary.
• Work on a weekly rotating task force to handle Conflicts requests and complete department projects both individually and with other members of the Conflicts Department.
• Learn and apply procedure changes quickly and effectively, working well under pressure.
• Participate in cross training as needed with the goal of improving processes and procedures as well as enhancing operational efficiency within the department.
• Show growth in understanding of Conflicts policies and how they impact the Firm.
• Must have and maintain internet access and ability to work remotely after hours as business needs dictate.
• Assist with initiatives aimed at improving the quality and quantity of information provided to Attorneys taking on new clients and matters.
• Assist with special projects as requested by the Conflicts Manager and flexibility to work on a variety of rotating Conflicts tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required. A minimum of one to three years of professional work experience in a legal environment with demonstrated research and complex problem-solving skills are preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to learn new software programs are required. Knowledge of and proficiency in relational databases are highly desired
• Ability to learn and utilize specialized internal conflict checking software and multiple software applications and workflow processes of various departments. Issue tracking, follow-up, and resolution skills are essential.
• Ability to articulate an understanding of legal relationships and the nature of representations undertaken is essential to meet the minimum performance standards of this position.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy and respond effectively to the most sensitive conflict inquiries or complaints; provide information; and maintain effective relationships with management, a diverse group of attorneys, clients, staff, and outside contacts.
• Ability to apply both logical and common sense understanding to carry out a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, and diagram forms, and the ability to handle and resolve problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Exhibit high degree of initiative and analytical skills requiring an aptitude for detail and accuracy in order to conduct detailed analysis of source documentation utilizing excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with proven ability to provide an accurate and efficient work product in a high-volume environment are necessary.
• Dependable team player who works collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment. Ability to act independently and make decisions within scope of the position’s responsibilities.
• Excellent follow-through skills with the ability to handle multiple functions in a fast-paced, detail-oriented work environment, and adapt to changes in workflow, processes, and procedures.
• Possess excellent knowledge of reading, writing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, proofreading, and formatting in order to interpret source data, perform data entry, proofread material for grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, and perform file maintenance.
• Ability to perform detailed mathematical calculations and apply mathematical concepts when computing, reconciling balances, verifying numerical data, and preparing various conflicts reports.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including computer, telephone, photocopier, scanner, calculator, facsimile, etc.
• Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation, or office supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Work occasionally requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.

The annualized salary range for this position in Chicago is $55,000 - $70,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution, parental leave, transportation fringe benefit program, back-up care option, generous paid time off policy and long-term and short-term disability policies.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP in an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.