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 Cooley 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 Cooley LLP, 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

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices.

The expected annual pay range for this position is $200,000 - $260,000. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as four weeks of vacation, two weeks of sick and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.