Legal Conflicts Analyst

Job Description

Job Description

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP, a dynamic, mid-sized Firm located in the heart of San Francisco's financial district, is currently seeking qualified candidates for two available analyst positions. The Firm is searching for a Conflicts Analyst and a Senior Conflicts Analyst to support its growing Conflicts team.

The hourly pay range for the Analyst position is $46 to $53, (annualized to approximately $90,000 to $105,000). The hourly pay range for the Senior Analyst position is $59 to $70, (annualized to approximately $115,000 to $135,000). The compensation offered will be based on a number of factors, including the specific qualifications of the applicant, years of related experience, education, applicable licenses and certifications, and the geographical location from which the applicant will perform the job. 

Overview

The Conflicts Analyst plays a critical role in protecting the firm's ethical obligations and supporting its business objectives by identifying, analyzing, and resolving legal and business conflicts of interest. Working collaboratively with attorneys, the Conflicts Team, and the Risk Management Committee, this position oversees conflict checks for new business and lateral hires, advises on conflict-related issues, facilitates the implementation of ethical walls, and helps ensure compliance with applicable rules of professional conduct, firm policies, and client requirements. The Conflicts Analyst also contributes to the ongoing development and improvement of the firm's conflicts and new business intake processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate information submitted for prospective new business conflicts checks; generate conflicts reports and provide attorneys with concise and complete summaries of the results, including the existence of potential or actual conflicts of interest. 

• Conduct thorough research to determine relevant information about clients and matter parties, including affiliated entities, individuals, and corporate family trees. 

• Review and analyze new business and lateral hire submissions to identify potential ethical and business of conflicts of interest and ensure compliance with firm policies and applicable laws.

• Review waivers, disclosures, and engagement letters to ensure that they adequately address conflicts and comply with firm policies and applicable laws.

• Review engagement letters and outside counsel guidelines and assist with maintaining a working knowledge of all outside counsel guidelines, especially in relation to conflicts and/or ethical wall compliance.

• Confirm the need for, and if applicable, ensure appropriate disclosures and waivers are obtained. 

• Implement and maintain ethical walls as necessary; draft ethical wall memos.

• Work closely with attorneys and other members of the Conflicts Team and Risk Management Committee to resolve potential ethical and business conflicts related to new business and lateral hires. 

• Maintain a working knowledge of all firm policies and materials related to conflicts, new business, lateral hires, and risk management, including procedures for conflicts resolution.

• Uphold strict standards of confidentiality, discretion, and integrity, particularly with respect to all sensitive and confidential firm and client information to which this position will have access.

• Participate in the improvement, development, and testing of new business intake and conflicts processes, procedures, and technology to enhance efficiency and support firm and department growth initiatives. 

• Perform other duties as assigned to support department functions. This includes providing coverage after-hours and on weekends as needed.

Other Duties

Please note this is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job, but rather to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this position. Incumbents may be required to perform other job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge and Abilities Required

• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish close working relationships with the firm’s attorneys and personnel, while maintaining objectivity and exercising independent judgement.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and perform well under pressure.
• Familiarity with conflicts applications, databases, and workflow procedures (experience with Intapp Open, Intapp Walls, and Aderant is preferred). 
• Exceptional working knowledge of the the California Rules of Professional Conduct, applicable laws, and risk management issues.
• Proficiency in Microsoft365 and Adobe Acrobat. 

Experience and Education Required

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• Qualified Analyst candidates will have at least 2 years of experience in the Conflicts Department of a law firm as Conflicts Analyst with demonstrated experience in identifying, analyzing, researching, and resolving legal and business conflicts of interest. 
• Qualified Senior Analyst Candidates will have 5 or more years of experience in the Conflicts Department of a law firm as Conflicts Analyst with demonstrated experience in identifying, analyzing, researching, and resolving legal and business conflicts of interest.

Working Conditions

Normal office environment and, as needed, the ability to work from home.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit for long periods of time, come and go from workspace repeatedly throughout the day, use a computer and phone, talk, listen, read and understand documents, and move and lift up to 10 pounds. The physical demands described are representative of the requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Firm Information

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP is a top-tier law firm with deep roots in San Francisco and the surrounding communities, representing institutional and individual clients in real estate, litigation, technology, communications, securities, employment, nonprofit and estate planning. Please visit our website for more information about the firm. 

Firm Benefits

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP values skill and diversity and strives to foster a progressive, energetic work environment. We provide a platform for growth and development and the ability to see the impact of your contributions firsthand. The firm offers competitive pay, a generous benefits and wellness package, and paid vacation. 

AAP/EEO Statement 

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.