Lateral & OCG Specialist

Steptoe LLP, a Washington, DC-based Am Law 100 law firm, is seeking a Lateral & OCG Specialist to join its Team. This position is based out of the Washington DC office.

The Lateral & OCG Specialist will work in the Conflict and Intake Compliance Department ("CIC") and will support the firm-wide lateral hiring conflicts clearance process, including running conflict checks on laterals and incoming personnel and assisting with the lateral and incoming personnel conflicts clearance process. The Lateral & OCG Specialist will also serve as an integral part of the firm-wide processes relating to Outside Counsel Guidelines ("OCGs"), including the coordination of OCG review and approval process and document upkeep and maintenance in the firm's Terms database. The position will work with lawyers in all offices including internationally, in a high-charged, fast-paced work environment. This role may also assist from time to time with the new business intake and related conflicts and business intake processes.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare conflict check reports for incoming personnel, including laterals and other firm lawyers.
• Prepare communications to partners and stakeholders, clearly identifying potential issues identified in lateral conflicts reports to facilitate clearance process.
• Work with Client Policies Analyst and other members of CIC to review and solicit feedback and approval on client engagement terms and OCGs from various stakeholders and departments within the firm, ensuring alignment with Steptoe's policies, procedures, and risk compliance.
• Assist in follow-up to ensure that executed engagement documents are obtained.
• Conduct legal research related to conflicts of interest and stay apprised of firm's current policies and firm best practices related to same.
• Organize and maintain efficient and transparent document depository to mitigate the firm's exposure to risk.
• Adhere to strict confidentiality parameters and utilize discretion while ensuring compliance with the Firm's ethical and business obligations.
• Navigate conflicts database and develop a thorough understanding of the Intapp Open/Terms system and other technology/platforms used in the Conflicts Intake and Compliance Department ("CIC").
• Maintain a solid understanding of current policies and firm best practices and act as a resource in answering questions from other firm personnel with respect to the new business intake process and policies.

Qualifications:

• Four-year university degree or four years of related experience
• One year of conflicts experience strongly preferred
• Experience with corporate research tools and conflicts search databases preferred
• Experience within a professional services environment
• Ability to turn around work under high pressure, independently manage production of work with short deadlines, and meet overall timeliness demands.
• Consistent and high attention to detail
• Excellent judgment
• Facility with computer systems in use at law firms including business intake systems, such as Intapp and Terms, and research systems and tools, such as Moody's (Orbis, Compliance Catalyst, World Compliance), Dunn & Bradstreet, LexisNexis and others
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to work flexible hours and respond to urgent requests outside regular business hours.

Success Factors:

• Attention to detail: complete complex projects and tasks accurately and timely.
• Efficiency: ability to work and problem-solve quickly and manage time accordingly.
• Critical thinking & Problem Solving: recognize problems or situations that are new or without clear precedent; evaluate alternatives and find solutions using a systematic, multi-step approach; develop improvements and innovations to enhance performance.
• Customer service: work diligently to ensure that everyone seeking CIC services receives the highest level of service; consistently seeks to improve service levels across the firm.
• Excellent work ethic: ensures that all work is completed on a timely basis, maintains attendance and punctuality at a high level, available to work outside of normal business hours as needed.
• Interpersonal skills: ability to interact professionally with partners and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Teamwork: ability to work well with others on projects, initiatives, and tasks that require their input and cooperation.

Work Environment:

• Non-Smoking environment.
• Available to work in the office during regular office hours Monday through Friday.
• Must be able to work beyond regular office hours as required.
• Must be able to work under tight deadlines and skillfully manage high-pressure demands.