Conflicts Specialist (12 months contract)

At McCarthy Tétrault, we offer challenging and rewarding career opportunities and are delighted to have been selected for the eleventh consecutive year in 2023 as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers. Our culture is built on professional excellence, collaboration, innovation, thought leadership and entrepreneurialism. We embrace inclusion in all its forms and we provide the tools and opportunities to help our people develop to their full potential.

This position is based out of Vancouver. McCarthy Tétrault employees benefit from a hybrid work environment.

Salary : $60,000 - $70,000 annually

As a Conflicts Coordinator, you will be:

• Performing conflict of interest searches on a timely basis in various databases as requested by professionals and staff of all practice areas and other management/departments.
• Analyzing corporate family tree research and sanction lists to improve relevance of conflict reports for lawyers.
• Available for on-call evening and weekend rotation to cover urgent conflict searches after hours.
• Processing requests for opening new clients and matters and obtaining all relevant information.
• Providing training and assistance to legal assistants and lawyers regarding required information for accurate and timely client and matter opening.
• Reviewing Know Your Client ("KYC") requirements and requesting further identification from lawyers/legal assistants when necessary. Following-up on non-compliance relating to KYC requirements, and storing KYC information appropriately. Validating organization types to ensure KYC profiles are accurate.
• Managing compliance surrounding Anti-Money Laundering (AML) process to comply with law society regulations and reduce exposure/risk for the firm.
• Identifying confidential matters and ensuring integrity of all parties pertaining to such matters. Following-up to lift confidentiality when applicable.
• Updating and ensuring integrity of existing information pertaining to client matters and client contacts in the accounting database.
• Assessing correct tax to be applied on new matters based on Place of Supply and PST rules.
• Managing information relating to billing formats and e-billing clients.
• Creating, updating and managing matter plans and rate details.
• Reassigning or closing all clients and matter files for departing lawyers.
• Obtaining approvals for and maintaining lists of non-billable matter numbers.
• Generating and organizing lateral hire conflict reports in a timely manner and ensure necessary security is applied to confidential and sensitive data.
• Overseeing the firm's engagement letter process and repository; ensuring that executed engagement agreements are in places in accordance with the firm's policy. Vetting engagements and escalating to relevant approvers as required.
• Analyzing engagement letters and disseminating relevant details to the appropriate individuals/groups.
• Assessing client activity to ensure client relationships are accurately recorded and escalating to approvers to reassess as appropriate.
• Ensuring appropriate coverage is available at all times, adjusting work schedule when necessary.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

As our ideal candidate, you will distinguish yourself by the following profile:

• Post-secondary education related to or including accounting or database management principles.
• Minimum 3-5 years of related experience, ideally acquired in a legal or professional services environment.
• Accounting knowledge, gained through post-secondary education or experience.
• Bilingual (English/French) with excellent verbal and written communication skills is an asset.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Exceptional analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of business and legal terminology.

As a member of the McCarthy team, you will have access to:

• Outstanding benefits from day one, including insurance premiums paid by the Firm.
• Competitive compensation including paid overtime.
• A commitment to professional development and growth opportunities for our people at all levels, supported by a culture that fully embraces and encourages two-way feedback.
• Strong community involvement and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• A collaborative, cohesive culture that connects lawyers and business teams through collective purpose.

We thank all applicants for their interest in McCarthy Tétrault; however, only chosen applicants will be contacted. We regret that we are unable to respond to individual inquiries about application status. McCarthy Tétrault is an equal opportunity employer that fosters an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment. Please notify us if you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process.