Deputy General Counsel
Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (additional hours as required).
The Senior Conflicts Attorney is responsible for managing the Firm’s conflicts clearance process for lateral attorney hires (including incoming summer and first-year associates), assisting with conflicts analysis performed in connection with new or existing matters, and developing and implementing strategies to enhance the Firm’s existing processes as they pertain to conflicts clearance and expand the General Counsel Office’s support of those processes. The position will be part of the Office of General Counsel, with frequent direct interaction with the Deputy General Counsel, and will work closely with partners, associates and firm administrative personnel. Given the demanding and global nature of the Firm’s work, the Senior Conflicts Attorney must be available outside normal office hours and flexible with respect to evening and weekend work as circumstances require. The position is not a partnership track position.
The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Lateral Attorney Conflicts Analysis
- Participate in and manage the process for lateral attorney hires (including incoming summer and first-year associates).
- Review and analysis of lateral attorney candidate conflicts reports (which are based on prior work history).
- Communicate with the candidate and relevant attorneys.
- Draft conflicts waiver request letters for review by Deputy General Counsel. Waiver request letters will be communicated by the reviewing or responsible attorney or the Deputy General Counsel to the lateral candidate’s current law firm.
- Coordinate with Compliance Attorney to implement ethical walls, as appropriate.
- Consult with Managing Attorney to ensure appropriate notifications to government agencies and courts, as appropriate.
- Accurately document conflicts resolution, including waivers obtained or relied upon, as applicable.
- Oversee other members of the General Counsel’s Office in their review and analysis of lateral attorney candidate conflicts reports.
- Develop and implement strategies to enhance the Firm’s existing processes as they pertain to lateral attorney hire conflicts clearance.
New Matter Conflicts Analysis
- Review and analysis of conflicts reports, including drafting e-mail inquiries to relevant attorneys and tracking responses. Summarize potential conflicts for requesting attorney and discuss appropriate responses with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel or Associate General Counsel.
- Identify potential conflicts arising from current and former matters, determine whether waivers exist and evaluate whether they apply. Summarize potential conflicts and whether advance waivers apply, and discuss appropriate responses with the Deputy General Counsel or Associate General Counsel.
- In consultation with the Deputy General Counsel or Associate General Counsel, assist the requesting attorney in communicating with other Firm personnel to determine the reasons for restricted list and conflict search entries and whether there are potential conflicts. Draft conflicts waiver requests (letters or e-mails) for review by Deputy General Counsel and use by requesting attorney. Waiver requests will be communicated by the requesting or responsible attorney to the prospective or existing client.
- Coordinate with Compliance Attorney to implement ethical walls, as appropriate.
- Consult with Deputy General Counsel or Associate General Counsel for approvals or decisions.
- Accurately document conflicts resolution, including waivers obtained or relied upon, where applicable.
Thought Leadership
- Develop and implement strategies to enhance the Firm’s existing processes as they pertain to conflicts clearance.
- Expand the General Counsel Office’s support of conflicts clearance processes.
General Responsibilities
- Evening and weekend on-call coverage.
- Special Projects, as needed.
- General knowledge of the Rules of Professional Responsibility.
- Ability to thoroughly research potential conflicts and use deductive reasoning and analytical skills to draw appropriate conclusions about potential conflicts.
- The ability to work as part of a team.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills, ability to set priorities and multi-task while meeting strict deadlines. Ability to maintain flexibility as priorities and tasks change.
- Keen attention to detail.
- Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment, including as to the need for consultation with more experienced colleagues.
- Availability outside normal office hours and flexibility with respect to evening and weekend work as circumstances require
- Law degree from an accredited law school and licensed and in good standing to practice in New York.
- A minimum of 3 years of experience in conflicts clearance in a large law firm.
The expected base salary for this position ranges from $200,000 - $215,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, anticipated assignment, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Davis Polk offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.