NAELA's CareerCenter

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Reporting to the US Head of Risk & Compliance, the Conflicts & NBI Attorney supports the critical Risk Management function for the Firm's seven US offices. The role primarily focuses on managing the Firm's Risk with regards to new business intake, including initiating and analysing conflicts checks for new matters and advising relevant partners on new client acceptance, anti-money laundering (AML) and reputational risk issues in order to secure the necessary resolutions and approvals. You will be based on the US West Coast (ideally in San Diego) and willing to travel between its seven US offices, as necessary, and to make occasional trips to London. This is a permanent, full-time position, working Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week. Flexibility is required from time to time.

Primary Functions

•  Initiate and analyze conflicts checks for new business and working alongside Firm partners and Risk & Compliance colleagues on the resolution of legal and commercial conflicts.

•  Assist the Head of Risk & Compliance and the Conflicts & New Business Intake Counsel with documenting analyses and requirements, procedures, and best practices for new business intake.

•  Ensure that all clients and matters created via the NBI workflow process and any amendments to them are processed correctly and, where necessary, liaise with the Finance and/or Risk & Compliance teams in other offices.

•  Complete processes and procedures including engagement letters and waivers.

•  Propose improvements for methods and standards for analysis of conflicts of interest.

•  Monitor the team for consistency, accuracy, thoroughness, and efficiency.

•  Supervise the set-up, management, and updating of restricted groups and information barriers.

•  Ensure that accurate client due diligence data is obtained where required and tracking receipt of all necessary regulatory requirements associated with new business intake.

•  This list of duties and responsibilities above is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. As such, the role may also undertake additional tasks as required.

Specific Skills Required

• Conflict/Compliance/Risk experience preferred but not essential.
• Highly PC literate, particularly with advanced Excel and database management experience.
• Proactive in the identification of risks and identifying solutions to mitigate them.
• Excellent attention to detail together with a methodical and organized approach.
• Strong communicator, inquisitive and enthusiastic and willing to work with lawyers and support staff at all levels and in differing jurisdictions, able to handle queries efficiently with diplomacy and tact, gaining confidence of partners and staff.
• Able to manage workload effectively and move projects forward.
• Able to influence and build strong working relationships with internal clients and colleagues in a collaborative and supportive manner.
• Strong commercial aptitude.
• Solutions focused, proven initiative, pro-active approach and independent thought. Knowledge of legal regulatory and legislative requirements for law firms, and an understanding of risk in the legal services environment, would therefore be beneficial.

Withers Bergman LLP requires all new hires to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  Reasonable accommodation(s) based on medical or religious grounds will be provided to qualified candidates.  Candidates will be required to verify their vaccination status only after a conditional offer of employment is made.  Applicants should not provide information about their vaccination status or need for accommodation prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment.

It is the policy of Withers Worldwide to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion. Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.