Manager of Legal Ethics and Business Acceptance

Profile

Hopkins & Carley, a well-established law firm with offices in downtown San Jose and in Palo Alto, has an immediate opening for a Manager of Legal Ethics and Business Acceptance in its San Jose office.  This hands-on position will oversee the firm’s new business intake and conflicts of interest, supporting the firm’s compliance with its ethical obligations and mitigating risks in these areas.

Responsibilities

• This newly created role will provide the leadership and oversight to build a comprehensive program focused on clearing routine and more complex conflicts of interest and providing new business acceptance services for the firm
• Independently review, research and resolve conflicts issues related to firm new business and staff personnel ensuring compliance with ethical standards in all jurisdictions as well as firm policies
• Analyze conflicts of interest on new business, firm lateral hires, contract attorneys, paralegals and merger candidates
• Resolve issues that arise in such matters, including drafting of waivers and advising on ethical issues relating to withdrawal and screening
• Assist in the preparation of responses to firm discovery requests and firm subpoenas
• Act as a legal advisor to firm lawyers on conflicts of interest issues
• Perform legal research and prepare legal memoranda in response to requests from firm lawyers, managers, claims counsel and various firm committees
• Assist management in handling sensitive and confidential issues related to practice management and firm ethics
• Oversee training on conflicts issues
• Analyze complex factual situations and spot issues where problems might occur
• Draft complex waivers, engagement and joint representation letters in final format
• Negotiate between lawyers in resolving disputes over conflicts and waivers
• Manage and supervise two New Business and Conflicts team members
• Contribute to composition of new business intake and conflicts of interest policies and procedures
• Contribute to the selection and implementation of technology improvements in order to increase efficiency
• Other related legal work as needed

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct and their application to the practice of law
• Strong database skills
• Thorough understanding of a wide range of legal matters, including an understanding of the parties and their respective roles in transactions and litigation, knowledge of litigation procedures such as depositions, subpoenas, role of co-defendants and comparative fault
• Solid understanding of business organizations and financing concepts
• Ability to think creatively about solutions to issues raised

• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Effective and efficient time management, concentrating on the more important priorities and can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal

• Understands and respects the need for teamwork within the department and firm; works collaboratively with all levels of the organization
• Understanding of litigation practice and working knowledge of law firm processes
• Ability to detect procedural problems and determine appropriate relationships
• Experience with legal research and writing, ability to independently manage and prioritize multiple tasks of varying importance
• Requires a J.D. and a minimum of 3 years of practice experience
• Active member of the California bar in good standing
• Strong working knowledge of relevant topics, legal issues and the rules governing professional responsibility required
• Strict and complete adherence to maintaining confidential and sensitive information

Hopkins & Carley is an equal opportunity employer.

We offer competitive compensation/benefits and the opportunity to be part of a great team. Please submit your resume and cover letter.

Company info

Hopkins & Carley