Managing EBI Counsel and Director of Ethics

General Purpose:

The Managing EBI Counsel directs, strategizes, determines, and sets the mission and goals for the Ethics & Business Intake department in consultation with the Firm Screener. This attorney focuses primarily on the overall objectives of the department and secondarily the day-to-day operations. In coordination with the department’s attorneys and staff, this attorney helps ensure that the firm and its lawyers do not inadvertently violate the conflict of interest and other ethics rules that regulate the attorney profession in the jurisdictions in which the firm practices.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides ethics advice and counseling to firm attorneys on legal ethics issues.
• Oversees and manages department review of client outside counsel policies, advises attorneys and the Firm Screener on compliance with policies, recommends and implements procedures to ensure compliance.
• Oversees firm responses to client requests for proposal for ethics compliance and reviews firm marketing materials upon request. Advises the Client Services department on ethical marketing strategies.
• Implements enhancements to our electronic screening system under the direction of the Firm Screener. Creates new electronic forms, drafts standard engagement letter terms, designs screening memos, etc. Suggests refinements to the screening and adversary and business intake systems.
• Advises and counsels other firm departments to meet firm objectives while remaining ethically compliant with the Rules of Professional Conduct and firm policies. This includes providing training to departments as needed or requested. From an ethics perspective, oversees the new-hire process to ensure it is efficient and compliant with ethical requirements.
• Drafts ethical walls and implements compliance with them. Determines need for and manages updates/upgrades.
• Suggests, implements, and maintains legal software solutions for the department.
• Answers questions from lawyers and assists with drafting of engagement letters and conflict waiver letters.
• Assists Loss Prevention and the Chair of ECCOM in providing ethics training to lawyers and staff.
• Meets annual CLE requirements, with a focus on ethics training, and otherwise keeps up to date on changes in ethics rules and related developments at the state and federal levels.
• Assigns legal research for, and works on special projects assigned by, the Firm Screener/ECCOM Chair.
• Maintains the Ethics & Business Intake section of the firm intranet.
• Perform additional duties and tasks assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to supporting the firm’s overall objectives.

Competencies:

• Communication & Diplomacy – Works well within the firm's power network and embraces continuous information exchange.
• Customer/Client Experience – Creates a consistent and exceptional experience for others, whether directly to external clients/customers or indirectly through internal support, that elevates the overall perception of the firm.
• Leading the Function & Team Management – Drives strategic leadership and strengthens teams to deliver results.
• Strategic Thinking – Plans and makes decisions within the framework of the firm's strategic intent.

Supervisory Duties:

• Develop and nurture a working environment that prioritizes inclusivity and a client-centric approach. Recognize and reward strong performance, teamwork, professionalism, and responsiveness.  Instill confidence within the team and among the firm's professionals by celebrating hard work and success.  Set clear and achievable expectations for future success.
• Effectively organize and oversee the scheduling, workload distribution, and productivity of the team to ensure efficient operations.
• In collaboration with the department head and in accordance with company policy, make informed hiring and selection decisions to build a high-performing team.
• Deliver timely and constructive performance feedback. Complete performance evaluations to help team members grow and improve.
• Actively coach, develop, and train team members to ensure they meet and exceed departmental expectations and perform their duties effectively.
• Review and approve timecards and vacation requests for direct reports, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Efficiently manage daily responsibilities in alignment with departmental goals and objectives.
• With the assistance of HR and the department head, manage employee discipline and, when necessary, termination in accordance with company policy and legal guidelines.

Job Qualifications (Education, Experience and Certification):

• J.D. Degree from ABA-accredited law school.
• License to practice law in a jurisdiction in which the firm maintains an office.
• Five (5) + years’ experience as a practicing attorney in civil matters.
• Past experience in overseeing a conflict department in a law firm including supervisory responsibilities.
• Excellent legal research skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to solve problems and make sound judgments, and willingness to ask for help when needed.
• Skilled at handling situations to ensure the desired outcome, without deteriorating relationships; ability to be diplomatic yet maintain own integrity.
• Literacy in Word, Outlook, Excel, Westlaw or Lexis, Internet search engines. Ability and willingness to learn to perform conflict searches, establish ethical walls, navigate CMS and business intake software.
• Flexibility in work schedule to accommodate workload and project needs.

Additional Information:

• This is a non-partnership track position.
• There are no direct client service and no billable hour expectation.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee must have the ability to sit, stand and/or walk for extended periods of time; manipulate (lift, carry, move) weights of at least ten (10) pounds; have repetitive wrist/hand/finger movement to work on a computer and/or related office equipment; speak clearly and concisely so listeners can understand; and regularly understand the speech of another person.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by this position to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment:

Professional office atmosphere.  Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting or standing for prolonged periods. Position may require occasional off-hour meetings and events. Travel may also be required to firm office locations, for CLE conferences or other seminars during the business week, although some overnight/weekend travel may be expected.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those this position may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Note:

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.  However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Compensation:

Holland & Hart offers of employment take into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, as well as the position's work location, external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. The Colorado, Nevada, and Utah annual salary range is $174,682 to $262,023.  A discretionary bonus may be available based upon performance.

Application Window:

The application window is anticipated to close on or after November 30, 2026.  Holland & Hart reserves the right to close the position prior to or after this date.

Benefits:

Holland & Hart works hard to promote work/life balance with a 37.5-hour scheduled work week for most staff employees, a robust wellness program, and generous PTO and holiday pay for eligible employees.  Full-time employees become eligible for benefits on the date hire, with a benefits offering that includes medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, EAP, STD, and LTD.  Also available are voluntary income protection benefits such as supplemental life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurances, as well as a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match.  In addition, the firm has programs that may provide for educational assistance, free or discounted legal services, and opportunities through the Holland & Hart Foundation, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating volunteer opportunities for lawyers, staff, families, and friends of Holland & Hart LLP.  Part-time employees may have access to some of these benefits, which may be on a pro-rated basis.