Conflicts Lawyer

Job description / Role

Our clients' team of business services staff play a significant role in the success of the firm, and they recruit staff into a wide variety of areas. They look for focused, flexible individuals from a variety of backgrounds who are team players.

Purpose of role
To support the Head of Conflicts in ensuring effective compliance controls and procedures are in place particularly those involving the avoidance of conflicts of interest and protection of confidential information, and to ensure compliance with applicable legislative requirements and management of risk.

A Conflicts Lawyer core responsibilities include the following:
• Conflict of Interest Checking Process
• Information Barrier and Document Security Processes
• Client Care and Engagement Terms
• Matter management, including matter opening and assessing compliance with Scottish and UK Law Society rules, Code and guidance

Responsibilities
• Handles legal conflict of interest matters
• Involved in leading commercial clearances across Dentons offices
• Handles medium to high complexity protection of confidential information issues
• Review NDAs, supplier agreements and outside counsel policies
• Assists with the firm's internal audit processes
• Drafts and reviews internal compliance policies and procedures
• Assists with Risk projects, where appropriate

Requirements

• Lawyer in good standing with relevant regulatory body or bar association
• Relevant experience preferably acquired in an international law firm
• Experience in identifying areas of current business process steps which could be enhanced and/or streamlined to become more efficient and add value to our end customers work product
• Ability to present oral and written communications to internal and external customers
• Ability to address sensitive and confidential issues with tact as well as build and maintain effective working relationships within the department
• Ability to take direction and follow through to completion with minimal supervision
• Able to demonstrate advanced research and drafting skills
• Able to critically review, update and amend policies, procedures and precedents for the firm in plain English with minimal supervision, consulting with stakeholders where appropriate
• Able to identify and resolve deficiencies and gaps in existing policies, procedures and precedents
• Analyse issues and draw conclusions, producing accurate and reasoned opinions on a range of regulatory issues
• Able to communicate persuasively and effectively by telephone, in writing and in person and deal with situations of conflict effectively, professionally and sensitively
• Detailed working knowledge and understanding of the rules and regulations that apply to law firms for example:
• SRA Solicitors' Code of Conduct (generally and more specifically in relation to Chapter 3 and 4);
• Law Society of Scotland Standards of Conduct (generally);
• Data Protection Act 1998 and equivalents;
• EU Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation 596/2014)
• An understanding of Elite and the billing processes
• PC literate with a good working knowledge of MS Office, e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Able to keep all general administration up-to-date and under control
• Prior experience in analysing and resolving conflicts of interests and managing confidential information would be desirable
• Personal skills / attributes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to interact positively at all levels within the firm and a good team player
• Able to demonstrate excellent client/customer facing skills
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills; can clearly explain and present problems and issues to others and contribute to their resolution
• Methodical approach to work; takes an efficient and organised approach to dealing with administration
• Able to make decisions and remain calm while under pressure – particularly when dealing with difficult situations
• Able to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines
• Able to exercise tact and diplomacy in an organisational setting
• Can demonstrate initiative and the ability to be proactive, while also being able to follow instructions and provide support to theGlobal Head of Conflicts
• Able to analyse and recognise the need for improvement to systems and suggest options for improvement to the Conflicts Manager
• Can carry out all responsibilities in a way which supports the practice’s values and promotes its equal opportunities and diversity principles
• Able to be an ambassador for the firm, being professional in outlook and attitude

About the Company

MENA Recruit came to fruition in response to a growing need for international legal talent in London and Dubai. Its initial focus began in the Legal sector, evolving as a service provider for other sectors such as Administration, Marketing, Business Development, HR, IT, Finance and C-Suite positions.

Over the last two decades, with roots firmly planted in the Middle East and operations expanding into the APAC region, MENA Recruit has gained intuitive industry knowledge and expertise. With its unique, people-focused approach, the firm has yielded competitive advantage for its clients and rewarding careers for the professionals it has supported throughout the years.

The company is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of talent and service to its clients while working tenaciously towards helping them achieve higher retention rates. For this reason, MENA Recruit is considered by both candidates and clients as a consultant in the truest sense of the word, offering guidance to both people and organizations on how to adapt to the constant change in market conditions and how to anticipate present and future challenges.

Presently, MENA Recruit provides services to organizations and professionals in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

With such an extensive global reach, strong brand value, decades of expertise, and an innovative approach towards business challenges, it’s clear why MENA Recruit is the partner of choice for both in-house recruiters and candidates internationally.