Chicago - Assistant General Counsel-Ethics & Compliance

This role can reside in any of Winston & Strawn's U.S. office locations to include Chicago, IL; Charlotte, NC; Washington D.C.; New York, NY; Miami, FL; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; and the Bay area.ABOUT USFor professional staff, Winston & Strawn presents an exciting opportunity to be a part of a leading global law firm. With our commitment to excellence, diversity, a collaborative work environment, and an emphasis on professional growth, Winston offers a platform for individuals seeking to advance their careers in a dynamic and rewarding environment. Winston is known for its collaborative and collegial culture. We believe teamwork is an essential component in providing high-quality legal services and we value the talents and skills of our entire professional staff team.POSITION SUMMARY:As an Assistant General Counsel-Ethics & Compliance, you will support the firm's programs including new business and conflicts intake, lateral hiring, firm growth initiatives, and general regulatory risk management. Under the direction of the Assistant General Counsel-Chief Ethics Officer and under the general direction of the Office of General Counsel, you will be an important resource to the firm, the Office of General Counsel, and the Conflicts team. This role is responsible for overseeing and being a substantive resource for the firm's audit response process, the review and negotiation of outside counsel guidelines, client questionnaires, and other client-requested engagement terms or guidelines related to new and existing business and RFPs (collectively, "OCGs"), and the review and negotiation of consultant and vendor agreements and other agreements or requests from prospective or existing clients. This role is also responsible for the identification, substantive analysis, and resolution of conflicts of interest, firm business issues, other ethics issues, and regulatory compliance issues. As an Assistant General Counsel-Ethics & Compliance you will work closely with the Office of General Counsel as well as the Conflicts Department and will work alongside firm management, partners, attorneys, business professionals and practice coordinators.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Act as point person and subject matter expert on the firm's client audit letter response. Oversee the firm's audit response process. Work with the Conflicts Department to expedite the drafting and review of audit response letters, escalating issues as appropriate. Review audit response letters as needed especially during the busy season.Manage the firm's OCG review process. Review, respond to, harmonize, and negotiate OCGs and firm engagement letters, addressing firm policy, legal, ethical, and strategic concerns. Maintain detailed knowledge of the firm's business needs, strategic objectives, and risk management objectives. Act as point person and subject matter expert on the firm's OCG response process. Escalate issues as appropriate. Develop strategies and make recommendations for changes to firm policies and procedures when appropriate.Investigate, recommend, and implement continuous improvements to the OCG process including for follow-up with partners and for tracking status and agreed terms.Oversee the review, response to, and negotiation of consultant, vendor, local counsel, and other agreements or requests from prospective or existing clients. Review, respond to, and negotiate other contracts and agreements to which the firm is a party.Act as point person and subject matter expert on sanction checks, secondments, the tracking of board of director positions, and other risk management and compliance functions.Work with firm lawyers, Office of General Counsel, Conflicts Department Managers, and Conflicts Counsel to review, analyze and resolve complex conflict issues in accordance with applicable ethical rules and firm policies, serve as a resource regarding conflict and other ethical concerns.Conduct privileged discussions with and advise the Office of General Counsel, partners, associates, and business professionals on OCG review, compliance issues, and ethics issues including conflicts of interest.Draft bespoke waivers/consents and other engagement terms related to new business intake and lateral hiring.Participate in updating and documenting policies and procedures relating to the firm's risk management functions and training of attorneys and other firm staff on such policies and procedures.Perform legal research as needed or as requested.Contribute to process, procedure, and technology improvements to reduce risk to the firm and to improve the efficiency of the Conflicts Department.Understand and develop expertise with respect to all phases of the conflicts search process for new business intake and lateral hiring.Assist Office of General Counsel and Conflicts Department with projects and special requests as assigned.Respond to urgent issues outside of normal department business hours.BASIC QUALIFICATIONS (Must be listed on resume to be considered):J.D. degree and an active license to practice law in the jurisdiction of the state where the office is located required.10+ years of broad experience in conflicts and legal ethics preferably within a large law firm, or as an Associate with a large law firm, or as in-house counsel to a similarly sophisticated company or institution required.Must reside within a commutable distance to the applicable local office with the ability to come into the office 3-4 days per week.COMPETENCIES:Proficiency in Intapp products preferred.Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat required; ability to adapt to new software applications desired.Proficient knowledge of American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct.Proficient knowledge of large firm practice areas and the identification and resolution of actual and potential conflicts of interests with various practice areas including transactions, restructurings, bankruptcies, investigations, and litigation.Proven ability to identify and articulate potential ethical and business issues in relationship to the nature of a new representation and/or lateral hire conflict clearance, and to effectively resolve issues consistent with ethical standards and firm policy.Demonstrated ability to conduct legal and internet research.Demonstrated ability to learn and utilize internal conflict searching software and other applications and workflow processes.Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to exercise independent judgement.Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact diplomatically and credibly within and outside the firm.Excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to lead and to create consensus-based support for decisions.Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.Meticulous attention to detail.Customer service-oriented manner and a continuous improvement mindset.Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize, multitask and maintain a high-level work product, while working under pressure to meet deadlines in a demanding environment.Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with members of the Office of General Counsel, Conflicts team, and other colleagues across the firm.BENEFITS:Winston offers comprehensive benefits that provide a full spectrum of coverage and support for our full-time employees and their families. Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here.We value diversity in the workplace. EOE/Minorities/Females/Vets/Disabled (EOE=Equal Opportunity Employer)#LI-DC2

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