Conflicts Manager or Managing Conflicts Counsel - Remote (MN, TX, GA, IL)

Fish & Richardson, the premier global intellectual property law firm, is trusted by the world’s most innovative and influential companies. Fish was established in 1878, and now has more than 400 attorneys and technology specialists in the U.S., Europe, and China. Our success is rooted in our creative and inclusive culture, which values the diversity of people, experiences, and perspectives. Join Fish’s team in our fast-paced Risk Management Department as a Conflicts Manager or Managing Conflicts Counsel (if licensed attorney). This role is part of The Hub, Fish’s remote-first group of professionals. Hub employees work primarily from home with no expectation of a regular in-office presence. This is a remote-first position, with a current focus on candidates located in MN, TX, GA, and IL.

How Will You Make a Difference?

• Manage all conflicts searching, conflicts identification, and the resolution of potential ethical, business, and subject matter conflicts relating to new business and lateral intake and ensure the integrity of the firm’s conflicts data. 
• Carry out managerial responsibilities in accordance with the firm’s policies and procedures.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training new conflicts staff; monitoring, planning, assigning, and directing work of conflicts staff; appraising performance and handling personnel-related issues; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Serve as a positive role model and mentor and perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys, management, and employees; efficient and effective departmental operations; and an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Act as an effective coach to team members in meeting business goals and inspiring their continuing development through hands-on training, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Involve team members in collaborative or team-empowered decisions, as applicable.
• Develop, recommend, and implement new business and lateral intake and conflicts checking processes, procedures, systems, and application updates/modifications, in conjunction with the Director of Conflicts. Work extensively with appropriate firm management including the General Counsel and the Intake Committee to standardize, implement, and enforce firm policies and practices, analyze and resolve complex conflict issues regarding opening new business and onboarding laterals, and on other related risk management issues.
• Manage the ongoing maintenance of the conflicts data to ensure its integrity, including monitoring conflicts forums and annotations to ensure the receipt of client waivers and other required conflict information, and managing and implementing any other changes or additions to the conflicts checking procedures.
• Prepare for, host, and memorialize the discussions and decisions of the Intake Committee conference calls, and provide information and assistance to members of the Intake Committee and General Counsel as needed.
• Provide orientation and training of new attorneys and professional staff with regards to new business conflicts and lateral hire procedures.
• Document (in both a written and online procedure manual) the new business intake and lateral clearance conflict identification and resolution procedures and other department procedures.

What Will You Bring to the Table?

• The Conflicts Manager position requires a bachelor’s degree, while the Managing Conflicts Counsel position requires a J.D. and must be licensed and in good standing in the state where they practice.
• 7+ years’ of experience working in the conflicts or new business intake department of a law firm with expertise in the identification, analysis, and resolution of conflicts of interest, including ethical, subject matter, and business conflicts.
• 5+ years conflicts or new business intake experience working in a supervisory or management capacity is required.
• Working knowledge of automated conflicts databases (i.e. InTapp) and demonstrated proficiency in supervising others and training a variety of personnel including attorneys and all levels of professional staff.
• Excellent investigative and analytical skills necessary to conduct complex and detailed analysis of legal matters. Excellent written and oral communication and customer service skills.
• Requires proficiency in utilizing Microsoft office applications including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to work independently, to identify issues and problems, and recommend and implement solutions.
• Ability to oversee team members in various positions and geographic locations.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including critical thinking, risk-taking, and creativity.
• Possess the managerial skills necessary in order to interact and communicate with team members, provide instruction and directions, determine work priorities, and coordinate the activities of a team.
• Ability to delegate and manage resources effectively.
• Highly effective communication skills and the ability to conduct meetings and correspond with firm principals, attorneys, and leadership regarding complex and difficult issues.
• Ability to change and adapt to current and future responsibilities and circumstances.

Why Fish?

When you join our team, we offer:

• Competitive pay and discretionary bonus opportunities along with a rich benefits package, including comprehensive medical and dental coverage, generous paid time off, and tuition reimbursement
• Award-winning retirement and profit sharing plans with employer contribution
• A family-friendly atmosphere with back-up child care, as well as health and wellness initiatives
• A positive culture awarded an Outstanding Workplace designation in 2023 and 2024 by People Insight based on our high levels of employee engagement
• The estimated starting pay range is $134,000 - $200,000 per year. Final compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including education, experience, skills, professional background, and overall qualifications. The salary range for this position is consistent across all geographic markets.

Our Commitment to Diversity

As a firm that serves the world’s greatest visionaries, we know that creativity and innovation are the result of seeing the world from multiple different perspectives. Having a diverse team enhances the quality of legal services we provide to our clients, sustains our standing as a premier IP law firm, and strengthens the fabric of our firm. 

#LI-DM1