Compliance Attorney

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Clients know they can rely on Davis Polk for their most challenging legal and business matters. From offices in the world's key financial centers and political capitals, our more than 1,000 lawyers collaborate seamlessly to deliver exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions. Visit davispolk.com.

Position Summary

The Compliance Attorney is responsible for assisting the General Counsel’s Office with tasks relating to engagement letters and client outside counsel guidelines, reviewing client questionnaires, Codes of Conduct, NDAs and other similar requests for provisions that create risk for the Firm, supporting the Business Development Group’s compliance with applicable rules of professional responsibility in connection with external communications, liaising with the Firm’s Vendor Management Office in the review and revision of business services contracts for provisions that create risk for the Firm and advising business services personnel regarding same, and assisting with conflicts analysis performed in connection with lateral attorney hires, as needed. The position will be part of the Office of General Counsel, with frequent direct interaction with the Associate General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel, and will work closely with associates and Firm administrative personnel. Given the demanding and global nature of the Firm’s work, the Compliance Attorney must be available outside normal office hours and flexible with respect to evening and weekend work as circumstances require. The position is not a partnership track position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Engagement Letter Compliance

• Review client engagement letters.

• Monitor engagement letter compliance.

• Maintain repository of client engagement letters.

• Consult with Associate General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel regarding engagement letter questions and liaising with responsible lawyer(s) in responding to client requests.

• Assist in preparation of engagement letters.

Client Outside Counsel Guidelines

• Review client Outside Counsel Guidelines and prepare draft responses regarding same.

• Consult with Associate General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel regarding responses to client Outside Counsel Guidelines and liaise with responsible lawyer(s) regarding same.

• Monitor status of Outside Counsel Guidelines responses and correspondence regarding same.

• Maintain repository of client Outside Counsel Guidelines.

Client Questionnaires, Codes of Conduct, NDAs and Other Requests

• Review client due diligence and information security questionnaires to identify compliance and risk issues and prepare draft responses regarding same.

• Review Terms and Conditions associated with RFPs, Codes of Conduct, or other client requests and prepare draft responses regarding same.

• Review and mark-up NDAs and advise lawyers regarding same.

Business Development Compliance Initiatives

Support the Business Development Group’s compliance with applicable rules of professional responsibility in connection with external communications.  Particular areas of support include the following:

• Client Marketing Restrictions.  Maintain the system for tracking and implementing client marketing restrictions.  Primary responsibilities include analyzing and responding to inquiries regarding restrictions and consent, and developing training materials.

• Attorney Advertising.  Address issues involving applicable rules of professional responsibility and Firm policy as they relate to attorney advertising.  Primary responsibilities include monitoring legal developments, reviewing Firm communications for compliance with applicable rules, and developing training materials.

• Social Media.  Maintain compliance with applicable rules of professional responsibility relating to attorney use of social media.  Primary responsibilities include updating Firm policy, responding to attorney inquiries regarding social media profiles, reviewing the Firm’s use and development of blogs and microsites, and developing training materials.

Vendor Management Office Contract Review

• Support business services personnel by liaising with the Firm’s Vendor Management Office (“VMO”) in the review and revision of vendor contracts.

• Advise VMO contract reviewers with respect to provisions that create risk for the Firm, including representations and warranties, limitations of liability, indemnification obligations, etc.

Lateral Attorney Conflicts Analysis

• Review of lateral attorney candidate conflicts reports (which are based on prior work history). Identify and analyze potential conflicts.

• Communicate with the candidate and relevant attorneys regarding potential conflicts.

• Draft conflicts waiver request letters for review by Deputy General Counsel. Waiver request letters will be communicated by or on behalf of the Deputy General Counsel to the lateral candidate’s current law firm.

• Implement ethical walls, as appropriate.

• Consult with Managing Attorney to ensure appropriate notifications to government agencies and courts, as appropriate.

• Accurately document conflicts resolution, including waivers obtained or relied upon, as applicable.

General Responsibilities

• Evening and weekend on-call coverage.

• Special Projects, as needed.

Qualifications/Position Requirements

• Working knowledge of the Rules of Professional Responsibility.

• Impeccable integrity.

• The ability to work as part of a team.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills, ability to set priorities and multi-task while meeting strict deadlines.  Ability to maintain flexibility as priorities and tasks change.

• Keen attention to detail.

• Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment, including as to the need for consultation with more experienced colleagues.

• Ability to apply strong analytical skills and use deductive reasoning to draw appropriate conclusions about risk management issues and potential conflicts.

• Availability outside normal office hours and flexibility with respect to evening and weekend work as circumstances require.

Education and/or Experience

• Law degree from an accredited law school and licensed and in good standing to practice in New York.

• A minimum of three years of experience in a large law firm.  Experience in General Counsel’s office or compliance is a plus.

Compensation

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $175,000 - $225,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Davis Polk offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.