Description:

Position summary: Guided by department objectives and priorities, and under the general direction of the General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel – Client Engagement serves as in-house counsel to the firm. This role is responsible for reviewing and responding to client-requested engagement terms, outside counsel guidelines, billing guidelines, client questionnaires, information security policies, data protection agreements, business associate agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and other agreements with or requests from prospective or existing clients (collectively, ”OCGs”) that diverge from the firm's standard engagement terms. The Assistant General Counsel – Client Engagement counsels responsible partners and other An American International Law Firm attorneys on OCGs, negotiates OCGs with firm clients when appropriate, and coordinates with the Office of the General Counsel, attorneys, Information Security, Accounting/Finance, Business Intake and Conflicts, Information Governance, and other firm departments, as necessary. As in-house counsel to the firm, this position works with firm management, administrators and business professionals to develop and implement and improve OCG review and compliance processes, as well as overall business intake processes. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position Responsibilities:

Act as formally designated in–house counsel to firm; conduct privileged discussions with and advise the Office of the General Counsel, partners, associates and business professionals on OCG review and compliance issues, approaches and processes
Review, evaluate, negotiate, harmonize, and approve client OCGs and firm engagement letters, escalating issues as appropriate, with legal and strategic recommendations, to the Office of the General Counsel, approval partners, and others
Learn, identify, develop and document firm positions and responses on OCG provisions; work with the Office of the General Counsel, Director of Security and Information Governance, firm management and others as appropriate to develop positions and responses on OCG provisions
Communicate and work with relationship partners, approval partners, and others on required and recommended amendments to individual OCGs; prepare amendment summaries and redlines with rationales; when appropriate, negotiate proposed amendments directly with clients
Work with the Business Intake and Conflicts department, including: to expedite OCG review, finalization and execution; track and advance status; maintain executed OCGs and related client engagement letters in a manner accessible to firm management and appropriate administrators and business professionals; apply advanced techniques to capture, compare and analyze OCG provisions across all client OCGs, and across all firm administrative functions, in a systematic and communicable manner; develop, maintain and analyze OCG review and compliance metrics; provide regular reports, analysis and improvement recommendations to firm management
Work with relationship partners, the Business Intake and Conflicts department, and others to ensure compliance with all agreed-upon OCG provisions across all firm functions
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of business needs and ongoing firm objectives. Apply and integrate OCG review and compliance expertise with the principles of firm risk management guidelines
Anticipate obstacles and develop strategies to resolve them. Provide professional interpretation and direction. Collaborate with the Office of the General Counsel, Director of Security and Information Governance, and the Business Intake and Conflicts department on the continuing development of the firm's OCG review and compliance policies, business intake procedures, and client and matter approval process. Define approaches to achieving objectives and implementing risk management strategies
All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and Experience:
Required:

After orientation at An American International Law Firm, exhibit proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, iManage, IntApp Time, Adobe Acrobat, Govern and other firm applications
Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
5+ years of legal practice experience, preferably with a large law firm or as in-house counsel to a company
JD
Active member in good standing of the state bar in which your assigned office is located

Preferred:

Experience analyzing conflicts of interest
Experience reviewing and negotiating outside counsel guidelines
3+ years of contracts, negotiation or equivalent experience in a large law firm or corporation
Experience drafting technology, purchase, sale, software license, content license, outsourcing, professional service, real estate leases, general contractor and architectural agreements
Advanced knowledge of key laws, processes and industry practices applicable to business contracts and leases

Competencies:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to exchange information and to present ideas, report facts and other information clearly and concisely
Ability to analyze needs and to determine priorities based on business objectives
Strong project management skills
Exhibits strategic focus, critical thinking and strong problem-solving skills
Strong sense of accountability
Self-driven
Excellent judgment and discretion, especially regarding confidential and sensitive matters
Superior consultancy and diplomacy skills