Conflicts Counsel (Any US Office)

About Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a preeminent, full-service law firm with offices around the world and a staff as diverse as the practice areas we support. Our clients range from Fortune 100 companies to medium and small corporations, financial institutions, and private equity firms.  Known for our commitment to excellence, Kirkland strives to provide superior service to our clients as well as our fellow employees. From Information Technology to Human Resources, Paralegal Services to Business Development, Kirkland offers non-attorney professionals challenging careers in a variety of functional areas. Whether starting or growing your career, Kirkland can offer a performance-driven culture filled with bright and innovative teams of co-workers.

Essential Job Functions

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual for the role of Conflicts Counsel in the Business Intake & Conflicts Department. This is an exciting opportunity to assist attorneys with their compliance duties in a fast-paced environment researching and analyzing data associated with potential new business and new employees while contributing to the success of the Firm. The Conflicts Counsel works closely with attorneys, the Office of the General Counsel and members of the Business Intake & Conflicts Department around the globe to identify possible ethical and business-related conflicts of interest. This position is critical to identifying potential risk, communicating potential resolution, and securing the necessary approvals as part of the business intake and new hire process. Through researching and analyzing complex issues, this job will present a global perspective on important business relationships that impact the partnership on a daily basis.  The ideal individual will have a collaborative mindset, an acute attention to detail, strong written and communication skills, work well under pressure, and understand the meaning of exceptional customer service. This position will require critical thinking, strong judgment and decision-making skills to be able to identify the potential issues with bringing on new business and new employees to the Firm.

A desire to work in a flexible environment with an ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities is a must. The ideal candidate must interact well with people at all levels with a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism.
 

Essential Functions:

• Advise firm attorneys and staff regarding conflict of interest issues associated with new matters and lateral attorney/paralegal candidates.
• Assist with communicating Firm policies and procedures relating to conflicts and intake and make recommendations for changes when appropriate.
• Assist department leadership in the coordination of daily workflow to ensure that performance of staff is meeting the needs of the attorneys.
• Assist department leadership in establishing new methods and standards for searching and analysis of all conflicts of interest searches performed by the department, monitoring for consistency, accuracy and thoroughness.
• Assist department leadership in coordinating and conducting training of new hires.
• Provide expert service and counsel to designated attorneys.
• Uphold standards for searching and analysis on all requests by implementing and policing standards of accuracy, quality and thoroughness.
• Operate as a team leader by assisting in the completion and organization of large searches, conducting peer review and maintaining availability as a resource to answer questions in regard to searching or analysis. 
• Constantly review, assess, recommend, and implement process, procedure, and technology improvements to ensure optimum customer service and efficiency; work with Business Intake & Conflicts management to evolve and grow area.
• Draft and review engagement letters, conflict waiver letters, and ethical wall memoranda.
• Communicate directly with clients to draft and negotiate retention letters and specific waivers as requested.
• Develop the additional role of being a support analyst for the Business Intake team by learning all processes, procedures and functions of that team. The goal is to be able to substitute for that team effortlessly and immediately when needed.
• Assist department leadership as needed.
• Keep up-to-date with current events that may impact different practice areas within the Firm.
• Have substantive knowledge of Rules of Professional Conduct and current state of legal ethics issues. 
• Be available for urgent and confidential matters and situations, including evenings and weekends.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar license in a state where Kirkland & Ellis has an office or in your state of residence.
• 4+ years of law firm experience, specifically in conflicts, risk management or corporate compliance.
• Experience in conflicts identification and clearance at a large law firm.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. 

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Closing Statement

The www.kirkland.com job postings and recruiting mailbox are for candidates only. If you are a recruiter, search firm or employment agency, and do not have a signed contract with Kirkland & Ellis LLP ("K&E") and have not been asked specifically to submit candidates, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if K&E hires the candidate. Direct contact with K&E employees in an attempt to present candidates is inappropriate and will be a factor in determining any future professional relationship with the Firm.