Global Lateral and Firm Growth Conflicts Manager

Dentons is currently recruiting for a Global Lateral and Firm Growth Conflicts Manager who will be responsible for leading, managing and implementing the Firm's Lateral and Firm Growth Conflict clearance process. This will involve assisting with the review, identification and resolution of potential conflicts issues with respect to clients, matters, new business in connection with lateral hires and Firm growth. The role will report to Global Head of Conflicts and Global Head of AML and Sanctions and involve managing members of the Global Lateral and Firm Growth team. It will also involve working closely with others teams within the Business Acceptance department, HR, Risk leaderships, and others leading the Firm Growth initiatives

Why Dentons is different

The legal profession is changing rapidly and Dentons is leading the way in advancing change for the benefit of clients. We are driven to challenge the status quo, delivering consistent and uncompromising quality and value to our clients in new and innovative ways. With over 17,000 individuals in more than 179 offices the opportunity is huge.

Dentons continues to receive external awards and recognition, including for our continued international expansion over the last 12 months; for ground-breaking innovation through the development of Nextlaw Labs and Nextlaw Global Referral Network; and for success in advising clients across multiple regions. Dentons is also a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index and a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner.

Requirements

Primary Responsibilities

• Review, draft and implement conflict checking policies and process for lateral hires and Firm growth initiatives
• Manage the Conflicts Lateral and Firm Growth team and provide leadership and guidance as well as manage levels of resource.
• Assist with strategic initiatives within the Conflicts Lateral and Firm Growth team and wider Business Acceptance Department.
• Support Global Head of Conflicts and Global Head of AML and Sanctions as and when required.
• Manage the Firm Growth projects globally with respect to conflict checks and collaborate with Project teams and other Business Service departments.
• Periodically review the conflict checking processes for lateral and Firm growth to ensure checks are streamlined and efficient.
• Work with Lateral Team Leads and others in department leadership to conflict check lateral hires and firm growth initiatives across a range of different jurisdictions.
• Liaise with risk leadership of potential combination firms to address legal and business conflicts.
• Provide integration support once combination effective dates are identified and provide training and support on firm policy and procedure.
• Review and provide thorough and timely analysis of all firm new business in order to identify ethical and business conflicts of interest
• Utilise available internal and external databases, communication with Partners and other lawyers and resources to follow up on and resolve all potential conflicts of interest
• See all conflicts of interest issues through to final resolution including drafting of waivers, engagement letters or other documentation for Partner review and/or submission to clients
• Proactively communicate with department leadership on complex conflicts questions and other compliance issues
• Maintain thorough, accurate and current records of all conflicts resolutions in order to ensure integrity of the database and assist in identification and clearing of future conflicts of interest
• Investigate and resolve erroneous, outdated or otherwise incomplete data on conflicts reports in order to maintain integrity of information in firm conflicts database and other records
• Assist with training firm legal administrative assistants, lawyers and business services staff in understanding the firm's new matter intake, conflicts and other compliance procedures
• Undertake various related special projects as required
• Facilitate resolution of potential conflicts issues for lawyers firm wide.
• Other duties as may be assigned to fully meet the requirements of the position.

About You

• Business international level of English - both written and oral;
• Highly collaborative and able to work in a global environment, accommodating the different time zones.
• Particularly strong written communication skills;
• Particularly strong organizational skills;
• Significant experience and a proven track record in/as:

o Be a team player, able to work effectively at all levels of an organization with the ability to influence others to move toward consensus;

o Demonstrable experience of managing effective relationships with third party suppliers.

o Understanding and experience of business continuity requirements and implementations

o Drive out decisions and recommendations;

o Independent, pro-active way of working.

o Able to demonstrate excellent customer/client facing skills;

o Able to effectively negotiate with and influence colleagues and others to achieve a successful outcome;

o Strong problem solving and analytical skills; can clearly explain and present problems and issues to others and contribute to their resolution;

o Can demonstrate initiative and the ability to be proactive, anticipating needs;

o Has commercial awareness and understands the business value required from IT investments;

o Able to make decisions and remain calm while under pressure;

o Methodical approach to work with a strong focus on accuracy, attention to details, consistency and quality.

o Able to work under pressure to tight project deadlines and can adapt to differing demands, prioritizing tasks where appropriate and ensuring complete 'follow through' on operational issues;

o Demonstrated ability to make recommendations to effectively resolve problems or issues by using judgment that is consistent with standards, practices, policies, procedures, regulation or government law

o Strong legal research skills

o Can carry out all responsibilities in a way that supports the practices values and promotes its equal opportunities and diversity principles.

You will possess:

• Adept in responding to challenges and issues as they arise;
• Able to thrive working under pressure, and be able to multi-task;
• Extensive experience of working with layers of engagement and approval;
• Impeccable attention to detail and ability to work with a wide variety of people and projects in a collective and collaborative manner.
• Stay current with recent research and thinking on ethics and conflicts best practices and rules across jurisdictions in which the firm has offices. Maintain a sophisticated, relevant base of knowledge in these areas
• Knowledge of Intapp conflict checking, ethical wall and business intake software a plus.

Essential Qualifications / Experience

• Qualified lawyers preferred (open to foreign qualified jurisdictions)
• Minimum 5 years conflicts experience in legal sector

Benefits

Applications from current residents in the following locations, will be considered: US, UK, Europe and Africa

Disclaimer: Please ensure when applying for this role you are legally eligible to work/live in your location. Visa sponsorship or relocation costs will not be provided

Diversity & Inclusion

Essential to our success as a global law firm is our ability to attract and retain the best talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. We want a work environment where everyone can reach their potential and we have an inclusive culture which respects individual differences.

We undertake and support a number of internal and external initiatives aimed at increasing diversity within the profession and we encourage all our partners and staff to get involved.

Equal Opportunities

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all.

Reward and Recognition

Remuneration and benefits package will reflect the successful candidates experience and country where hired.