Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.
Based in New York or Washington, D.C., the Director of Conflicts & Information Governance has global responsibility and plays a critical role in managing and overseeing the information governance, records management, conflicts, CDD, and NBI functions within the firm. This position requires a strong understanding of legal operations, compliance requirements, and data management best practices, across multiple jurisdictions. The person will be responsible for executing strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure effective management, security, and accessibility of the firm’s information and records.
The Director of Conflicts & Information Governance will report directly to the Chief Legal Operations Officer and will work closely with the Firm’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel’s Office.
Responsibilities include:
- Execute a comprehensive information governance strategy and policies aligned with the firm’s objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. Identify risks and opportunities associated with information management and propose innovative solutions.
- Establish and maintain a robust records management program, including the creation, classification, retention, retrieval, and disposal of records. Develop policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations regarding document preservation and destruction.
- Collaborate with the firm’s General Counsel and other key individuals to research, analyze, and resolve conflicts of interest. Provide timely and thorough analysis of potential conflicts of interest related to new firm business and lateral attorney candidates.
- Oversee and manage the preparation of conflict waivers, engagement letters, release letters, and similar documentation in conformance with firm policies and rules of professional conduct. Oversee and manage the notification and release letters related to lawyer mobility and coordinate the approval and release of client files as applicable. Maintain accurate records of the conflict clearance process in the applicable firm databases.
- Assist with the preparation, implementation, and oversight of ethical walls, including sending notices of conflict to the firm, and establishing electronic ethical walls. Track and audit special information access requirements including client specific requirements, ethical walls and legal holds.
- Analyze client audits, outside counsel guidelines/ policies, requests for proposals and client generated engagement letters to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement and maintenance in the information governance framework Data Privacy, Security and Governance.
- Collaborate with the firm’s IS and cybersecurity teams to develop and enforce data privacy, security and governance protocols. Implement measures to protect sensitive client and employee information, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and regulations.
- Monitor developments in the rules of professional conduct and case law related to conflicts of interest, engagement letters, release letters and other lateral movement issues. Monitor regulatory changes and industry standards related to information governance and records management. Ensure the firm’s practices align with legal and ethical requirements. Conduct periodic audits and assessments to identify and address compliance gaps or potential risks.
- Assess, select, and implement appropriate systems to support information governance, conflicts and records management activities.
- Work closely with the Practice/Litigation Support team to ensure the proper handling of materials related to e-discovery activities to protect against risks such as spoliation charges.
- Coordinate the transfer of information in or out of the firm in compliance with Firm policies including information related to legal requests for information such as subpoenas; lateral partner arrivals; client departure; or employee departures. When necessary, ensure the proper execution of destruction orders.
- Develop training programs and materials to educate employees on information governance policies, records management practices, conflicts and NBI processes. Conduct regular training sessions to promote awareness and compliance throughout the firm.
- Implement supporting protocols and processes to ensure statutory, regulatory, ethical and privacy requirements are met for the management of physical and electronic information.
- Proactively anticipate and direct program changes to support continued compliance with the evolving information management and data protection landscape.
- Stay current with best industry practices and new developments in the area of information governance and records management. Participate in continuing education, research, networking, and professional and industry organizations to advance competencies.
- Oversee Conflicts & Information Governance department, including management of team and daily operations of function.