Conflicts Attorney

Business Professional Recruiting at Venable LLP

The Conflicts Attorney is responsible for evaluating and resolving legal conflicts‑of‑interest for new business intake, matter openings, client updates, and lateral attorney onboarding. This role conducts complex conflicts analyses, advises attorneys and firm leadership on risk and ethics issues, and ensures compliance with professional responsibility rules and firm policies. The Conflicts Attorney also supports matter opening workflows, drafts waivers and ethical screens, reviews Outside Counsel Guidelines, and contributes to maintaining high‑quality conflicts data and processes.

Responsibilities

• Identify and analyze actual and potential conflicts for existing and prospective clients by conducting in‑depth research using internal systems and external databases (e.g., Hoover’s, D&B, Lexis, EDGAR) and interpreting results to assess business and ethical risks.
• Recommend and implement conflict‑resolution strategies, including ethical walls, disclosures, consent letters, and engagement modifications.
• Draft and maintain conflict waivers, disclosures, engagement letter language, and supporting documentation.
• Review and analyze Outside Counsel Guidelines and engagement letters for conflicts‑related provisions; advise on restrictions, required screens, and necessary updates to internal data.
• Conduct conflicts analyses for lateral attorney candidates, recommend and implement resolutions with Division Managers and the Ethics Committee, communicate with stakeholders to clear conflicts, and prepare required consent letters and documentation before and after onboarding.
• Educate attorneys and legal staff on ethical obligations, conflicts procedures, new business intake, and client‑relationship considerations.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar status in MD, DC, CA, or NY.
• A minimum of 3 years of conflicts or professional responsibility experience in a mid‑to‑large, multi‑practice law firm.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legal relationships, business structures, and conflict scenarios.
• A minimum of 2 years of law practice experience in private practice strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with conflicts/new‑business intake systems and strong research and analytical skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make persuasive arguments and present nuanced analyses to all levels of firm leadership.
• Strong negotiation skills and consultative approach when working with attorneys and staff.
• High level of discretion, judgment, and diplomacy in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong attention to detail, client‑service orientation, and responsiveness.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment, manage competing priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
• Participation in the conflicts on‑call rotation and ability to respond by phone to after‑hours emergency conflict checks.

Pay Range for Candidates in Chicago: $145,000 - $180,000 per year

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Flexible spending and healthcare savings accounts.
• 401(k) with firm profit share.
• Paid time off and firm‑paid holidays.
• Wellness and personal advocacy programs.
• Family planning resources and leave programs.
• Tuition reimbursement and more.

Seniority level

Associate

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Legal

Industries

Law Practice