Compliance Attorney

The Compliance Attorney is tasked with maintaining the law firm’s compliance with the ever-evolving legal standards and regulatory requirements. They play a critical role in risk management and in preventing legal issues before they arise. This position will work closely with the Firm’s Executive Director, Human Resources Director, Chief Information Officer, General Counsel and Co-Managing Partners. This position will regularly interface with the Firm’s partners on conflicts matters and engagement policies. Key Responsibilities: Conflicts: Primary oversight of the Firm’s conflicts team (2 staff members); Address unusual issues and potential conflicts; Advise to define the scope of searches; Consult with partners regarding conflicts resolution and work with partners to obtain consent for disclosures necessary to request informed consent; Escalate conflicts matters to the General Counsel or Firm Management Committee as needed; Draft/review conflict waivers; Manage ethical and confidentiality walls in conjunction with the IT department; Develop best practices for ensuring compliance with conflicts rules; Assist with the identification of conflicts in lateral hiring. Engagement Letters: Review and oversee the process for tracking Firm engagement letters; Review client engagement policies received from new and existing clients; Create process to track and comply with client engagement policies; Review engagement letters which deviate from the Firm standard. Client Audits and Surveys: Act as the primary contact for client audits and surveys; Review and respond to client audits and coordinate responses from other departments. Risk Mitigation/Insurance: Act as a primary contact for the Firm’s malpractice insurer; Assist Accounting, IT, HR and other departments with risk assessment of Firm operations; Develop best practices and procedures for risk mitigation. Disengagements/File Transfers: Assist with file transfers of departing attorneys. Additional Duties: Stay updated on regulatory changes affecting the Firm. Assist HR in conducting internal investigations into suspected breaches of laws, regulations, or policies and interface with external employment counsel. Work within Firm Administration to foster a culture of compliance within the organization. Provide guidance and training to attorneys and staff members on compliance-related matters. Assist periodically with general contract review and negotiation of Firm contracts on an as-needed basis. Job Requirements: Skills and Qualifications: J.D. from ABA accredited law school. Texas State Bar License (in good standing). A strong background in legal compliance. Superior knowledge of Rules of Professional Responsibility. Excellent communication and analytical skills. Minimum five years of prior law firm experience in a similar or related role. This position is primarily in-person/in the office; Four days per week in the office is preferred. Porter Hedges does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms unless an executed search firm agreement is in effect at the time of the submission. In order for a candidate to be considered an official submission, ALL search firms must submit their candidates via the online application link for search firms by clicking here. The Attorney Recruitment Manager will receive all submissions and contact you regarding next steps. Resumes sent directly to Porter Hedges attorneys will not be accepted or considered. This policy is designed to provide clarity and certainty through a streamlined process that documents submission dates and avoid any discrepancies or duplicate submissions from multiple sources. If you represent a search firm and wish to complete our Standard Search Firm agreement, please contact Deirdra Clement.