Compliance Counsel

McCarter & English, LLP is seeking Compliance Counsel to be based in any of its offices. The salary range for this position is $135,000-$150,000 annually, depending on experience. If you have relevant experience, we would like you to consider joining our team. Please send your resume and cover letter to Christine Lydon, Chief Human Resources Officer, at recruiting@mccarter.com.

The Compliance Counsel will manage the Firm’s intake review, negotiation, and compliance with Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCGs). This role is critical in meeting client expectations by ensuring compliance with client mandated regulations, policies, and procedures. A core responsibility of this role is to work closely with the General Counsel to develop and implement a centralized, best practice approach to analyzing, negotiating, and adhering to Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCGs).

Essential Duties:

Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCGs) and Engagement Letter Terms

• Oversee and actively manage workflows pertaining to OCG intake, analysis, negotiation, acceptance, and compliance processes.
• Coordinate a cross-functional team to operationalize OCG management while maintaining attention to a constellation of policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Establish acceptable language and negotiation strategies for frequently occurring engagement letter and OCG terms.

Audits and Assessments

• Conduct and oversee periodic compliance audits covering areas ranging from sustainability to business operations as required by clients and firm management.
• Support diligence and conflict of interest assessments for lateral attorneys and new business (especially issues pertaining to OCGs), including collaborating with the partnership to address issues.

Risk Counseling and Training

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of trends in legal operations departments and their potential impacts on compliance and risk management.
• Assist the General Counsel on issues related to risk exposure, professional responsibility, regulations, and firm policies.
• Work closely with the General Counsel and firm management to develop/enhance intake and the current compliance function.
• Develop training programs and produce educational materials that bring awareness to compliance and risk topics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school with the ability to be admitted in at least one jurisdiction where the firm operates.
• Familiarity with legal technology and conflict management applications.
• 3-5 years of experience in a large law firm or corporate legal operations department.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate with a cross-functional team of internal and external stakeholders, including the General Counsel, partners, business professional staff, legal departments, and external stakeholders.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, including weekends and holidays, when necessary.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Admission to the bar in at least one jurisdiction where the firm operates.
• Risk, conflict, or firm counsel experience, including negotiating contracts, engagement letters, or managing OCG negotiation and compliance.
• Certification or experience in creating or improving processes and workflows.
• Ability to establish new operational functions and to collaborate with professionals across administrative departments
• Working knowledge of the Intapp product suite.

Note: While the list of essential duties is intended to be as inclusive as possible, there may be other duties, which are essential to particular positions within the class.

Benefits (if FTE Requirements met):

• Firm-Paid: Basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance and short-term (ST) and long-term (LT) disability benefits.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical/prescription drug coverage (the Firm pays a share of the cost), including a high deductible health plan with an annual Firm health savings account (HSA) contribution.
• Employee-Paid Voluntary Benefits: Dental and vision coverage, supplemental health plans (accident, cancer and critical illness), flexible spending accounts, optional life and AD&D insurance (supplemental employee, spouse and child) and supplemental STD coverage.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan offering three types of contributions: pre-tax, Roth and after-tax contributions.
• Time Off: Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and leaves of absence to support work-life balance (e.g. parental leave)

Additional Benefits:

• Free and confidential employee assistance program (EAP) and behavioral health services program
• Firm-paid back-up child/elder care, academic support and pet care program
• Tax-advantaged college savings 529 Plan
• Employee discounts through Working Advantage

Other Compensation:

• Eligibility for discretionary bonus.

McCarter & English, LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.