Assistant General Counsel-Professional Responsibility

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia that represents clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, intellectual property, and transactional and corporate matters. The firm is internationally recognized for representing Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation and government-facing matters, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Crowell & Moring, exceptional client service begins with exceptional people. We are committed to delivering responsive, high-quality, and professional service to our clients and to one another, while continuously elevating standards of excellence across every aspect of our work.

Job Summary

The Assistant General Counsel for Professional Responsibility serves as a senior advisor within the Office of General Counsel, providing guidance on professional responsibility, ethics, risk management, and firm litigation and defense matters. The position works directly with the General Counsel and collaborates with partners, attorneys, and key business leaders to address complex and sensitive issues, manage legal and reputational risk, and support firmwide initiatives.

Job Responsibilities

• Support the General Counsel in advancing the firm’s legal, ethics, professional responsibility, and risk management priorities.
• Advise partners, attorneys, and business leaders on professional responsibility, ethics, conflicts of interest, engagement terms, confidentiality, and firm policies.
• Research and analyze complex legal and professional responsibility issues and provide practical, well-reasoned guidance that reflects applicable laws, rules, and evolving industry practices.
• Manage or support the defense and resolution of threatened or actual claims involving the firm, including internal investigations, disqualification matters, and coordination and oversight of outside counsel.
• Advise on litigation holds, subpoenas, document requests, preservation obligations, electronic discovery, and other matters involving firm records or personnel.
• Support the firm’s professional liability insurance program, including coordination with brokers, underwriters, and internal stakeholders on coverage inquiries, claims, certificates of insurance, and outside counsel guidelines.
• Build effective working relationships with key partners, firm leaders, attorneys, and business professionals, and collaborate across functions and offices on sensitive matters and firmwide initiatives.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to attorneys and professional staff and perform other responsibilities and special projects as assigned by the General Counsel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of professional responsibility, legal ethics, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and the rules of professional conduct applicable to large law firms.
• Strong legal research, issue-spotting, analytical, writing, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop practical solutions to complex legal and risk management matters.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when managing confidential, sensitive, and high-risk matters.
• Ability to build credibility and effective working relationships with firm leadership, partners, attorneys, and business professionals across functions and offices. • Ability to lead and participate in cross-functional teams and coordinate effectively with internal stakeholders and outside counsel.
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters and projects, establish priorities, and deliver accurate, timely work under competing deadlines.
• Knowledge of law firm operations and risk management practices, including client and matter intake, subpoenas, electronic discovery, information governance, professional liability insurance, and emerging legal technology issues.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, training, and other initiatives that support legal compliance and effective risk management.
• Commitment to elevating service standards by delivering responsive, high-quality support to internal and external clients and proactively identifying opportunities to improve the client experience in all interactions.
• A strong moral compass, an unwavering commitment to the Firm's stated values, and the fortitude to objectively advise strong personalities.

Education

The position requires a J.D. and bar membership.  

Experience

The position requires a minimum of eight (8) years of increasingly responsible, directly related experience, in an AM Law 100 law firm.

Our Firm is committed to fair and equitable compensation practice in accordance with applicable laws. Additional compensation may include a discretionary bonus. The salary for this position may vary based on location, market data, an applicant’s skills and prior experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other factors.

Crowell & Moring LLP offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package. Our benefits include healthcare, vision, dental, retirement, and all-purpose leave and progressive options such as back up childcare, wellness programs, cultural events and social activities. We take great pride in our positive, friendly culture that rewards hard work and success, at the same time recognizing the importance of family and community service.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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