Conflicts Counsel – Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCG)

Direct Counsel is seeking an experienced Conflicts Counsel - Outside Counsel Guidelines to join a prestigious AmLaw 100 law firm. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney with a background in conflicts, professional responsibility, contract review, or law firm risk management to play an integral role in supporting a nationally recognized legal practice.

The ideal candidate will have strong analytical and negotiation skills, sound legal judgment, and experience reviewing outside counsel guidelines (OCGs), engagement terms, and client requirements.

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement and can be based in any of the firm's U.S. office locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, analyze, and negotiate outside counsel guidelines (OCGs), engagement letters, and client terms and conditions.
• Identify potential legal, ethical, financial, operational, and reputational risks associated with client requirements.
• Draft and negotiate exceptions, modifications, and clarifications to client-imposed terms.
• Collaborate with attorneys, General Counsel, Risk Management, Finance, IT, and other internal teams to ensure compliance with firm policies.
• Evaluate conflicts-related provisions, including advance waivers, client affiliates, exclusivity restrictions, and lateral-hire limitations.
• Advise attorneys and business professionals on professional responsibility, conflicts of interest, and client engagement requirements.
• Maintain accurate documentation of negotiated terms, approved exceptions, and client-specific obligations.
• Assist in developing OCG review procedures, standardized language, risk-management protocols, and internal training.
• Support complex conflicts reviews, ethical screens, waivers, and new business intake matters as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 3 years of relevant legal experience in conflicts, professional responsibility, law firm risk management, commercial contracting, or outside counsel guidelines.
• Strong understanding of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and conflicts-of-interest principles.
• Experience reviewing contractual provisions and assessing legal and business risks.
• Excellent legal writing, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and collaborate with attorneys and administrative leadership.

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience with an AmLaw 100 or other large, sophisticated law firm.
• Direct experience reviewing and negotiating outside counsel guidelines and engagement terms.
• Familiarity with conflicts and new business intake systems.
• Experience developing OCG playbooks, review protocols, or risk-management procedures.
• Knowledge of client requirements involving cybersecurity, data privacy, billing, artificial intelligence, indemnification, and regulatory compliance.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $150,000 - $180,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

The firm offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement benefits
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee referral program
• Parking and transit reimbursement (location dependent)
• Additional employee benefits

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Join a highly respected AmLaw 100 firm where you will work alongside experienced legal professionals and firm leadership on sophisticated conflicts, client engagement, and risk-management matters.

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on firmwide policies and processes while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid schedule and the resources of a national law firm.

Apply Today

If you are an attorney with experience in outside counsel guidelines, professional responsibility, or conflicts management, Direct Counsel would welcome the opportunity to speak with you confidentially.

Apply today to learn more about this opportunity.

Direct Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to any legally protected characteristic.