The posting
Our Office of the General Counsel manages the Firm’s legal and regulatory affairs. Our team supports the General Counsel in overseeing the Firm’s compliance with laws and regulations, handling internal and external legal matters, and mitigating legal risks. The team is responsible for reviewing and drafting legal documents, advising on corporate governance, and managing relationships with external legal advisors. Additionally, the Office of the General Counsel coordinates legal strategy, ensures adherence to ethical standards, and addresses any legal disputes or challenges that arise. Through our comprehensive legal oversight and strategic counsel, the team ensures that the Firm operates within the bounds of the law while advancing its business objectives effectively.
Position Summary
The Compliance Lawyer supports the Office of the General Counsel, Compliance and New Business teams in managing the Firm’s global lateral-hire conflicts process. The role advises HR recruiting and business services teams on lateral procedures and conflicts-screening protocols, tracks lateral hires worldwide and works to resolve potential conflicts promptly. It also promotes compliance with applicable departmental processes, legal requirements and jurisdiction-specific regulations, including through drafting waivers and related correspondence. In addition, the Compliance Lawyer drafts, implements and enforces Firm policies relating to ethical screening, restricted securities and insider lists, and prepares and reviews engagement documentation and waiver terms in coordination with OGC and Conflicts and New Business analysts.
Our Compliance Team
Every minute of the day, a White & Case lawyer is practicing law somewhere in the world. Our compliance team expedites all compliance procedures relating to the hiring of new partners and associates, the maintenance of ethical screens including Insider Lists, the collection of client engagement agreements and outside counsel guidelines, and processing of trades and enforcement of global restricted securities protocols.
You will work at the heart of the Firm’s compliance operations and as a trusted team member supporting our Partners and business services staff. Combining both sound risk analysis and effective communication skills, you will support the OGC and collaborate with other business services teams around the world and across our business.
As a self-starter, you will proactively implement and manage Compliance policies, conduct research on clients and regulatory issues, assist with training as required, and provide other support as needed in order to ensure global adherence to compliance and risk management protocols.
Key Responsibilities
- Support OGC and Compliance team with oversight of all functions in relation to lateral onboarding. Make independent decisions regarding conflicts of interest and related protocols.
- Administer lateral hire process, including conflict search processing, liaising with and maintaining relationships with Global and Local HR recruiting and onboarding teams across the Firm, ensure candidate documents and hiring paperwork is completed and received in a timely fashion, manage communications with HR teams, OGC and AD of Compliance. Produce related reports and statistics as necessary.
- Clear potential conflicts with Firm Partners and in collaboration with OGC. Process acknowledgments, email correspondence and all relevant documentation relating to lateral hire process.
- Negotiate and draft waiver letters in connection with lateral hire conflicts issues in support of OGC and in accordance with rules of procedure and Firm risk management protocols.
- Stay up to date on global ethics rules relating to lateral conflicts, screens, and remote work.
- Work with Compliance analysts to improve search techniques and analysis.
- Prepare and review “docket” reports for litigation candidates to identify conflicts
- Assist with design, development and testing of automated workflow for lateral conflicts process.
- Facilitate all ethical screen implementation in connection with actual, perceived, and potential conflicts of interest in relation to lateral hires. Coordinate and help troubleshoot any ethical screen issues.
- Support AD of Compliance and OGC with oversight of all functions in relation to screen maintenance, including review of conflicting users, implementation and review of takedown policy.
- Review and analyze engagement agreements and outside counsel guidelines in collaboration with OGC. Provide related support and guidance to Compliance team and Partners.
- Perform any additional Compliance or General Counsel related duties which may be assigned in connection with role.
Qualifications and Skills
- JD in Good Standing
- Admission to the FL Bar
- Two years experience in a law firm, preferably in a Law Firm Conflicts department or General Counsel’s office or comparable legal experience.
- Experience with lateral hire onboarding and conflicts resolution.
- Understanding of ABA ethics and conflicts rules as well as ability to navigate international rules and law.
- Demonstrate consistency in exhibiting mature judgment and handling confidential information appropriately.
- Effective communicator with strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work well under pressure and strict deadlines while prioritizing workload with limited oversight.
- Ability to be mindful of the big picture without losing sight of the details.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a global multi-disciplinary team.
Location and Hours
This is a full-time role based in Tampa, FL.
This role reports to
Associate General Counsel and Associate Director of Compliance
Equal Opportunities
White & Case is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm’s policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.
Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact [email protected].
Benefits at White & Case
White & Case LLP offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, 401(k) retirement savings, vacation time, and leave programs (including parental leave). Exempt roles are also performance bonus eligible.
The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.
The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.
Note to Recruitment Agencies
Our internal Recruitment team manages all aspects of lateral hiring. All agencies must have signed terms of business—specific to the relevant office—before submitting any candidates. CVs or applications sent directly to White & Case partners or employees will also not be considered formal introductions. If you have questions, please contact the relevant Recruitment team. We work with our preferred suppliers when engaging agencies.
