Job Description

Senior Governance Attorney

Position Type:   

Full Time

Exempt

Hybrid Flexible (work in the office for 1 - 3 days/week based on business needs, on a flexible schedule.)

Location:         Los Angeles OR San Francisco OR Washington, DC

Residency Requirements: 

Washington D.C.: For all positions based in the Washington, D.C. office, residency within Washington D.C., Maryland or Virginia and within a reasonable commutable distance to the assigned office is required depending on the firm's discretion and the nature of the role.

Los Angeles and San Francisco Offices: For all positions based in the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices, residency within the state of California and within a reasonable commutable distance to the assigned office is required depending on the firm's discretion and the nature of the role.

Salary Range for Los Angeles AND Washington, DC:         $238,500.00 - $330,000.00 *

Salary Range for San Francisco:         $262,350.00 - $350,730.00 *

*The salary range is the one that Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP reasonably expects to pay for this position.  The salary range does not guarantee, obligate, nor set expectations of an applicant’s wage in the event of hire.  The posted range is only one component of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP’s Total Rewards package.

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The Senior Governance Attorney is a key leader responsible for overseeing and driving complex governance, conflicts, and risk management processes across the Firm. This role exercises independent judgment on high-risk and sensitive matters, provides strategic legal advice, and partners closely with Firm leadership on governance and compliance initiatives.

The Senior Governance Attorney mentors and provides guidance to other Governance Attorneys, oversees sophisticated conflicts and risk matters, and contributes to the development and evolution of Firm governance policies and practices. The position reports to the Director of Governance and works closely with, and at the direction of, the Firm’s General Counsel, as well as Partners and senior administrative leadership across the Firm.

Job Functions & Responsibilities

• Leads and oversees conflicts clearance for complex matters, including lateral partner and group hires, sensitive client engagements, and Firm-wide risk issues; exercises discretion in resolving issues and escalating matters to the Director of Governance, General Counsel, and Partners as appropriate.
• Mentors, supports, and provides subject-matter guidance to other Governance Attorneys and Governance Analysts.
• Assigns tasks and projects to other Governance Attorneys and oversees their completion. Serves as the escalation point for complex or novel conflicts and governance issues through resolution.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates conflicts waivers, engagement letters, and related agreements to ensure alignment with Firm policies, ethical requirements, and risk tolerance.
• Reviews and advises on vendor agreements and third-party relationships, identifying legal, regulatory, and operational risks and ensuring compliance with the Firm’s standard terms and governance requirements.
• Reviews client outside counsel guidelines and engagement agreements, identifies deviations from Firm policies, assesses risk implications, and drafts or negotiates appropriate responses.
• Develops, implements, and refines Firm policies, procedures, guidelines, and best practices relating to governance, conflicts, records management, information governance, privacy, and security.
• Leads and supports Firm-wide risk management initiatives, including cross-functional projects involving Information Security, IT, Records, Finance, and Compliance.
• Maintains deep and current expertise in the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and their state-specific adoption, including jurisdictional variations affecting the Firm’s offices and practice areas.
• Advises attorneys and professional staff on governance matters, including conflicts, ethical walls, retention and disposition, and engagement requirements; incorporates feedback into continuous process and policy improvements.
• Oversees and supports the Firm’s legal hold, collection, preservation, and destruction processes, ensuring defensibility and regulatory compliance.
• Ensures Firm-wide compliance with processes related to conflicts checks, new business intake, audit letters, outside counsel guidelines, and governance controls.
• Conducts and supervises legal research related to conflicts, ethics, lateral hiring, records disposition, and related governance issues; provides clear, practical guidance based on research findings.
• Performs other duties as assigned, consistent with a senior attorney role and at the request of General Counsel and firm leadership.

Tools

• MS Office suite
• Proficient in risk/governance software (e.g., 3E, Intapp, Aderant, Legal Key, Varonis, FileTrail)
• Document management systems

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited educational institution.
• Admission and good standing to the California or DC Bar.
• Minimum 10 years’ law firm conflicts research and analysis experience.
• Proficient in Boolean Search Terms & Connectors, preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proficient in Intapp Conflicts/Intake (or 3E/Elite Enterprise).
• Ability to manage projects and work product by team members.
• Advanced ability to be proactive, analytical and use critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment, interacting professionally with others.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to deliver consistently excellent customer service.

Physical Demands

Writing, typing, reading, speaking, hearing, seeing, sitting, bending, reaching, lifting up to 25 lbs.

Working Conditions

Quiet office environment in a high-rise building, seated the majority of the time

Direct Reports

Will be assigned in the future

Competencies

• Communicates effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Being resilient: Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

• Instills trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Customer focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Drives results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Situational adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Optimizes work processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Resourcefulness: Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrates self-awareness: Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.

The Senior Governance Attorney role is an amazing opportunity available on our team of professionals at Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP! We offer competitive pay, benefits and an opportunity to make an impact in today’s world.

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About Munger, Tolles & Olson

Munger, Tolles & Olson has topped The American Lawyer’s A-List a record eleven times and maintains the highest average A-List ranking in the history of the award.

We strive to hire only the most qualified and creative lawyers. We believe that clerkships provide valuable experience. In this regard, nearly 75% of our lawyers and over 80% of our litigators served as law clerks to federal or state judges and sixteen attorneys were clerks to U.S. Supreme Court Justices. We recruit and retain the best professional talent to support our Attorneys with a focus on service and excellence. We have a full spectrum of functional positions including Information Technology, Information Security, Accounting, Human Resources, Legal Support, and Marketing.

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MTO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles (for example, braids, locks, and twists), color, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, marital or domestic partner status, parental or family care status, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, disability or medical condition, genetic characteristic, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.  It is the policy of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP to prohibit discrimination, unlawful harassment (including sexual harassment), and retaliation.  This commitment prohibits such conduct by any individual involved in MTO’s operations and by anyone doing business with or on behalf of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP.

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We are a talent-first Firm and are always looking for great people. We encourage you to apply even if the level of this position is not an exact match to your qualifications. This may not guarantee your placement into the opening; however, it is always worth exploring if there is an opportunity for the future.

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Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP (MTO) does not accept unsolicited resumes from 3rd parties or agencies.  Any unsolicited resumes and profiles received from 3rd parties or agencies will be considered property of MTO and no fees will be due or paid.  If you wish to become an approved Agency with MTO, please contact a member of the MTO Talent Acquisition Team.