Professional Responsibility Counsel

Benefits

Additional Information

Professional Responsibility Counsel Cooley is seeking a Professional Responsibility Counsel to join Cooley's Risk & Compliance team. About Cooley: Cooley is a global law firm with an expansive practice and more than 3,000 employees and partners worldwide. We value and celebrate diverse perspectives and strive to create a workplace where every individual can thrive. At the core of Cooley's success is the exceptional talent and unwavering spirit of our people. We embrace individuality while fostering a 'one-firm' culture where collaboration and creativity thrive. Our people are the foundation of our success and the driving force behind everything we do. Hybrid Schedule Philosophy : As part of the Cooley culture, we recognize and appreciate the value of being together, in person, to build comradery with others in the office and to be a contributing member of the Cooley office. However, we also appreciate the benefits and flexibility that come from remote working. As such, the default assumption for employees and partners is a hybrid schedule: some in-office presence and some work from home days absent certain essential in-office roles (i.e., facilities, local office technology, etc.) that require five (5) days/week in-office. Your supervisor will share the in-office expectations for this role. Position summary : Guided by department objectives and priorities, and under the general direction of the General Counsel, the Professional Responsibility Counsel serves as an advisor within the Office of the General Counsel on professional responsibility and risk management matters facing the firm, predominately focused on conflicts of interest. This role requires deep knowledge of and experience with complex conflicts of interest, legal ethics and professional responsibility. The Professional Responsibility Counsel provides guidance to firm lawyers and business professionals, including, in particular, the firm's Business Intake and Conflicts department ("BIC"), on conflicts of interest, engagement issues, and other professional responsibility matters arising out of client intake that require elevated judgment and experience. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Position responsibilities: Act as formally designated in-house counsel to the firm; conduct privileged discussions with and advise the firm's lawyers and business professionals on complex legal ethics and professional responsibility matters, especially conflicts of interest Serve as a primary subject matter expert and advisor on conflicts of interest arising in new business intake and lateral hiring and other contexts, providing guidance to firm lawyers and BIC on matters that require elevated analysis and judgment In conjunction with other lawyers in the Office of the General Counsel, guide, train, and advise BIC leadership and team members- including conflicts analysts and conflict staff attorneys - on how to identify, analyze, and escalate complex conflicts situations; establish and model best practices for conflicts analysis across the department Advise firm lawyers on complex and sensitive engagement situations, including matters involving multiple clients, adverse interests, prospective client issues, former client conflicts, positional conflicts, and other professional responsibility issues Advise on the implementation of conflict resolution mechanisms, including ethical screens and conflict waivers; draft or review waivers and related correspondence as required for complex or sensitive circumstances Assist the firm's Assistant General Counsel - Client Engagement with the review of outside counsel guidelines and engagement letter terms in connection with the firm's client relationships Advise firm lawyers on privilege, liability, confidentiality, conflicts, supervision, and other issues related to the retention of vendors or third-party service providers for specific client matters; review and negotiate related retainer agreements and engagement arrangements. Assist other lawyers in the Office of the General Counsel with review of marketing materials, client alerts, pitch materials, and other client-facing or public-facing firm communications for professional responsibility and risk management issues, including unauthorized practice of law concerns, advertising rule compliance, and other regulatory considerations. Collaborate with the Assistant General Counsel - Ethics and other members of the Office of the General Counsel on a broad range of professional responsibility matters. Work with others in the Office of the General Counsel to develop and lead conflicts and professional responsibility training programs for lawyers and business professionals across the firm, ensuring that training reflects current rules, case law, and ethics opinions and is tailored to the sophisticated practice environment of a large global law firm. Conduct ongoing legal research and monitor developments in legal ethics, profess