Lateral Conflicts Analyst

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The Firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in New York or Washington D.C., the Lateral Conflicts Analyst is responsible for running and analyzing conflicts searches in support of the Firm’s lateral hiring process. The role includes researching corporate information from external sources, searching the Firm’s internal proprietary databases, and compiling and analyzing conflicts results for lateral candidates, highlighting critical issues for review by Conflicts Attorneys.

The position requires acute attention to detail, together with strong organizational and research capabilities. The Lateral Conflicts Analyst will need to understand legal conflicts of interest, related ethical rules, and current developments in professional services risk management. This position is responsible for upholding the standards of quality, consistency, accuracy, thoroughness, and customer service as defined and implemented by the Department.

The Lateral Conflicts Analyst will work closely with Conflicts Attorneys, Resolution Analysts, other Conflicts Analysts, Lateral Partner Recruitment & Integration, Attorney Recruiting, and other members of the New Business Intake and Conflicts Departments. Because lateral clearance work involves candidate information that is highly confidential, the Analyst must exercise discretion at all times regarding candidate identities and the fact of a candidate’s interest in the Firm.

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, Intake/Conflicts.

Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing lateral candidate submissions and matter lists to ensure clarity and completeness, and following up with the candidate and/or recruiting personnel where disclosures are incomplete or ambiguous.
• Conducting conflicts searches on lateral candidates against the Firm’s conflicts database and other internal and external resources.
• Performing data entry, searching, and analysis of conflicts data in the Firm’s conflicts and new matter intake systems in accordance with Firm policies and procedures.
• Conducting research via external sources to establish corporate structures, affiliate relationships, and management profiles for parties appearing on candidate matter lists.
• Compiling and preparing conflicts reports for review by Conflicts Attorneys, identifying and flagging potential actual, imputed, and positional conflicts for attorney assessment.
• Verifying that all conflicts reports are complete, consistent, and accurate, and adhere to established standards and procedures for all conflicts of interest searches performed Firm-wide.
• Supporting the implementation and maintenance of ethical screens for incoming lateral attorneys, including preparing supporting documentation and tracking certifications.
• Maintaining accurate records of clearance searches, analysis, and related communications in support of the Firm’s audit-ready documentation standards.
• Ensuring the timely and efficient processing of lateral clearance requests, including during periods of elevated recruiting activity.
• Escalating complex, novel, or time-sensitive issues promptly to Conflicts Attorneys.
• Contributing to process, procedure, and technology improvements to provide optimum customer service and efficiency.
• Coordinating with other Analysts and team members in order to meet deadlines, time-sensitive issues, and other challenges.
• Assisting the Department with a wide range of research and other requests as may be assigned.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills, with a strong focus on accuracy, attention to detail, and consistency.
• Ability to research and interpret corporate structures and relationships using internal and external databases.
• Excellent decision-making skills and a demonstrated ability to think on your feet.
• Excellent people skills, with the ability to work in a team-oriented and collaborative environment.
• Excellent customer service skills and proficiencies.
• Comfortable working with attorneys and other legal staff.
• Comfortable in a high-demand, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to accept direction and constructive feedback.
• Ability to take ownership and work independently to resolve issues, and sound judgment about when to escalate.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information, including lateral candidate identities and prior client information.
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.

Experience:

• Four-year college degree preferred.
• Studies in areas directly applicable to the duties described above (e.g. paralegal/legal assistant, business administration, project management) preferred but not required depending upon other professional and educational experience.
• 1-2 years of conflicts experience is preferred; lateral or new business intake conflicts experience at a large or global law firm a plus.
• Knowledge of, and experience using, Intapp, Dun & Bradstreet, and Hoovers a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite as well as web-based systems preferred.

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual compensation range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.