Who We Are
FTI Consulting is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation. We work with many of the world’s top multinational corporations, law firms, banks and private equity firms on their most important issues to deliver impact that makes a difference. From resolving disputes, navigating crises, managing risk and optimizing performance, our teams respond rapidly to dynamic and complex situations.
At FTI Consulting, you’ll work side-by side with leaders who have shaped history, helping solve the biggest challenges making headlines today. From day one, you’ll be an integral part of a focused team where you can make a real impact. You’ll be surrounded by an open, collaborative culture that embraces diversity, recognition, professional development and, most importantly, you.
Are you ready to make your impact?
About The Role
FTI Consulting, Inc.’s Legal Department is seeking an attorney to manage all conflicts issues, both legal and business, in connection with the processing and acceptance of its client engagements. FTI is comprised of several different consulting disciplines which provide various litigation and non-litigation based consulting services. These segments submit in excess of 10,000 potential engagements per year which must be analyzed for potential conflicts and client relationship sensitivities. This position reports directly to FTI’s General Counsel.
The following experience and competencies are required for this role:
- Significant Litigation Management Experience. The candidate must have significant experience in managing litigation, either with an outside law firm or an in-house legal department or both.
- Advocacy and "Influencing" Skill s. The key aspect of this role is dealing with FTI's senior management and professionals, senior partners at law firms and senior lawyers at clients. A candidate must have the ability to patiently and professionally deal with contentious points of view and influence others, through listening skills and effective advocacy, to reach the desired outcome.
- Superior intellect, with the ability to think critically and make clear and well-reasoned decisions in complex situations; ability to see and handle more than the legal issues of a project; strong, pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the business consequences of legal advice; a strategic and innovative thinker who can bring value to his or her clients and find creative solutions to complex legal problems.
- Gravitas, judgment and self-confidence, but also humility, deference, respect for others, and willingness to work as a team member.
- Ability to manage crises deliberately and thoughtfully but also expeditiously and calmly. Grace under pressure.
- Personal credibility and the ability to articulate positions concisely and quickly, in a manner that is useful and easily understood by all parties involved.
- Culturally astute, organizationally savvy and adaptable.
- Strong team orientation with a collaborative work style and the ability to build consensus.
- Ability to manage effectively a large, global team.
What You’ll Do
The role of the attorney in this process involves various responsibilities:
1. Oversight of the Conflicts Group.
All new engagements are submitted to FTI's Conflicts Group (located in the Washington, D.C. office) for review and analysis. A portion of these engagements raise significant client relationship issues or perceived conflicts which will require consideration by the attorney and, in many cases, discussion among FTI's division heads and senior professionals.
This position will facilitate and intermediate these discussions. Generally, the senior business leaders are experienced with this process and approve engagements from one practice area that could be perceived as adverse to a client in their practice areas. A critical element of this role is the need to be viewed by FTI professionals as an impartial arbiter who will thoughtfully weigh different points of view and then make a decision.
In addition, this position will be responsible for overall management of FTI’s conflicts and client acceptance processes. This includes managing the Conflicts Group, which consists of approximately 20 attorneys and analysts located in the U.S. and internationally. This will consist of managing the day-to-day flow of work; maintaining quality and consistency of the work; overseeing training and mentoring; and ensuring adherence to FTI’s policies and procedures.
2. Interactions with Outside Counsel and Clients.
FTI has two major distribution channels: 1) referrals from law firms and 2) direct client relationships. The attorney will interact with law firms and clients on at least two levels.
First, FTI often is approached to provide services for one party in a litigation (e.g., ediscovery) or consulting engagement (e.g., merger analysis) where FTI is also providing services to another party. Where the other role is public (i.e., an expert has been disclosed), the attorney will often contact the engaging law firm or client, disclose the other role and explain the protective measures (ethical walls) which FTI will establish to protect the confidentiality of client information.
Second, an important role of the attorney is to handle these discussions with law firms and clients in a professional and courteous, but steadfast, manner which acknowledges the sensitivity of the law firm or client.
How You’ll Grow
We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development and we have developed a range of programs focused on fostering leadership, growth and development opportunities. We aim to promote continuous learning and individual skills development through on-the-job learning, self-guided professional development courses and certifications. You’ll be assigned a dedicated coach to mentor, guide and support you through regular coaching sessions and serve as an advocate for your professional growth.
As you progress through your career at FTI Consulting, we offer tailored programs for critical professional milestones to ensure you are prepared and empowered to take on your next role.
What You Will Need To Succeed
Basic Qualifications:
- JD degree from an accredited law school.
- 15+ years of broad-based legal experience.
- Excellent written and oral communication.
- Ability to interact with stakeholders and leaders in a highly matrixed yet collaborative organization.
- Experience in effectively developing and implementing dispute resolution strategies.
