Director of Conflicts

Accountabilities: Provide firm-wide operational leadership and direction for conflicts checking, intake, and related risk management processes. Partner with Risk Management and the Office of the General Counsel to develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures addressing conflicts, intake, and risk. Establish and continuously improve best practices, workflows, service standards, turnaround times, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness across the conflicts function. Stay current on developments in legal ethics, conflicts requirements, technology, and regulatory expectations across applicable jurisdictions. Oversee employment conflict checks and review and approve specialized new client matter forms, including those associated with complex practice areas. Establish and oversee processes related to Ethical Walls and other mechanisms designed to mitigate conflicts and risk. Serve as the primary escalation point for departmental quality assurance matters and complex conflicts issues. Monitor technology developments and recommend appropriate systems and process improvements to leadership. Ensure engagement information is captured and maintained accurately to support effective conflicts checking and risk management. Develop and deliver training for lawyers, staff, conflicts professionals, and other relevant teams on departmental policies, procedures, systems, and requirements. Oversee departmental budgets, including compensation, operational expenses, and project-related budgets, while ensuring initiatives remain aligned with strategic priorities. Manage departmental projects and requests from planning through execution, ensuring they remain on schedule, within budget, and aligned with established objectives. Maintain oversight of departmental resources and intranet content, including policies, procedures, forms, and contact information. Ensure systems and documentation remain accurate and audit-ready for internal and external reviews. Establish mechanisms to monitor productivity, service levels, quality, and performance across the conflicts function. Design, implement, and oversee systems supporting accurate and timely daily and weekly conflicts and new-business-intake reporting. Provide statistical and operational information to senior leadership as needed and participate in strategic leadership meetings. Collaborate with Business Professional Recruiting, Accounting, Managing Directors, and other teams involved in conflicts, new business intake, lateral hiring, and related processes. Lead, mentor, and develop the Conflicts team, fostering accountability, collaboration, inclusion, professionalism, and service excellence. Recruit and train team members, conduct regular team and manager meetings, identify development needs, and support ongoing employee growth. Provide performance guidance and employee counseling in accordance with established policies and procedures, and contribute recommendations for merit increases and annual bonuses. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required; a Juris Doctor (JD) is strongly preferred but not required. At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in legal conflicts within a law firm or comparable professional services environment, including substantial supervisory experience. Extensive experience in a law firm environment as an attorney, senior paralegal, or comparable legal conflicts professional. Demonstrated subject matter expertise in legal ethics, conflicts rules, practices, and procedures. Significant experience leading firm-wide or organization-wide initiatives within a multi-office environment, preferably within professional services. Proficiency with conflicts management software and related systems; experience with Elite and Intapp Open is preferred. Strong understanding of conflicts processes, risk mitigation, new business intake, ethical walls, and related operational requirements. Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality service to internal and external stakeholders while handling routine and highly complex matters with discretion. Strong relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with individuals and groups at different organizational levels. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and meet deadlines in a complex, dynamic environment. Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and an interest in using technology and innovative approaches to improve professional practices. Ability to work effectively under pressure and navigate competing or conflicting priorities. Collaborative, consensus-oriented leadership style with strong influencing capabilities. Exceptional integrity, maturity, discretion, and fairness when handling confidential information and sensitive matters. Sound judgment and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions in complex and confidential situations. Benefits Competitive compensation based on skills, experience, location, and other applicable factors. State- and jurisdiction-specific salary ranges, including: California: $209,000–$427,000 Colorado: $193,000–$343,000 Connecticut: $166,000–$421,000 Illinois: $189,000–$367,000 Massachusetts: $209,000–$400,000 Maryland: $203,000–$307,000 Maine: $142,000–$328,000 Minnesota: $209,000–$346,000 Jersey City, New Jersey: $227,000–$412,000 New York: $195,000–$421,000 Virginia: $136,000–$397,000 Vermont: $207,000–$397,000 Washington: $203,000–$385,000 Washington, D.C.: $270,000–$397,000 Discretionary bonus opportunities based on individual and organizational performance; bonuses are not guaranteed. Medical and dental insurance coverage. Life insurance. Short-term and long-term disability insurance. Pre-tax flexible spending accounts for eligible medical and dependent-care expenses. Employee assistance program. Paid time off and paid holidays. Retirement plan participation after applicable eligibility requirements are met. Remote work may be available, with the position also eligible to be filled in multiple U.S. locations. Opportunities to contribute to strategic initiatives and lead a specialized professional team.