1.Overview
The Firm CRM implements conflict checking procedures preventing inadvertent conflicts of interest. When potential conflicts are identified, the system supports escalation, analysis, waiver, and ethical wall implementation.
2.Conflict Checking Procedures
When a new matter is created:
- Primary Party Conflict Check: System checks whether new client is adverse to any existing client
- Related Party Check: System checks whether new client is related to existing clients (subsidiaries, affiliates, parent companies)
- Opposing Party Check: System checks whether new client is adverse to any existing client in matters already assigned to represented attorneys
- Prior Matter Check: System checks whether any matter attorneys have adverse relationships with new client from prior matters
3.Conflict Resolution
If potential conflict is identified:
- Escalation: Conflict is escalated to conflicts administrator or managing partner
- Analysis: Potential conflict is analyzed to determine whether actual conflict exists
- Waiver: If conflict is waivable, conflict waiver is obtained from affected clients
- Ethical Wall: If conflict is not waivable, ethical wall is implemented preventing conflicted attorney from accessing adverse matter
4.Ethical Wall Implementation
For unavoidable conflicts:
Access Restriction
Conflicted attorney is automatically prevented from accessing adverse matter.
Communication Restriction
Conflicted attorney cannot communicate about adverse matter with other attorneys on adverse matter.
Automatic Screening
System prevents accidental sharing of adverse matter information with conflicted attorney.
Monitoring and Reporting
System monitors ethical wall compliance and reports any violations.
Frequently asked questions
The Firm CRM organizes all client relationship information, enabling relationship intelligence and data-driven business development. It maintains comprehensive client records integrating client information with relationship history, matter history, and financial value.
Each client record includes identification and classification, contact information, key contacts (primary, billing, executive sponsor), relationship history with matter list and lifetime financial value, business information including strategic importance and cross-selling opportunities, and organizational hierarchy for corporate clients.
The CRM tracks practice area coverage per client, identifies unserved practice areas, generates cross-selling recommendations, and supports client development strategies with stated objectives, competitive status, development actions, and timelines.
When a new matter is created, the system checks primary party conflicts, related party relationships, opposing party conflicts, and prior matter adverse relationships. Potential conflicts are escalated for analysis, waiver, or ethical wall implementation with automatic access and communication restrictions.