New Business Intake Research Analyst

McCarter & English, LLP is seeking a New Business Intake Research Analyst. This role involves conducting background research and investigations on prospective clients and entities to support the firm's business intake and risk management processes.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct background research on prospective clients, companies, organizations, government entities, and individuals involved in New Client/New Matter requests
• Review Daily conflicts mailings and identify the entries requiring conflict background research
• Coordinate with attorneys, legal assistants, business intake personnel, financial systems, and administrative staff to clarify conflict research requests and obtain missing information necessary to conduct background research
• Research client affiliates, adverse parties, owners, founders, executives, board members, related entities, and other associated individuals or organizations
• Identify and analyze corporate structures, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, ownership relationships, predecessor entities, name variations, and other relevant connections
• Verify legal entity names, addresses, jurisdictions, business status, and organizational information using firm-approved resources and public records
• Review negative news, litigation history, regulatory matters, bankruptcy information, criminal matters when available, foreclosure or lien information, reputation-related issues, and other information relevant to conflicts review
• Conduct sanctions and watchlist screening using firm-approved sanctions resources
• Search and review public records, news sources, court records, business databases, and other available sources to validate research findings
• Prepare clear, concise written summaries that highlight relevant findings, negative information, sanctions results, and supporting source information
• Place material negative information prominently in the report so conflicts reviewers can identify it quickly
• Investigate complex or unclear entity relationships and escalate unresolved research questions when additional guidance is needed
• Review completed research for accuracy, consistency, completeness, and formatting before circulation
• Maintain research documentation and follow Firm procedures for processing and storing conflict background check materials
• Prioritize routine, urgent, and emergency research requests while meeting deadlines and maintaining accuracy
• Assist with workflow improvements, research templates, process documentation, and conflicts-related projects as assigned

Requirements:

• Conduct background research on prospective clients, companies, organizations, government entities, and individuals involved in New Client/New Matter requests
• Review Daily conflicts mailings and identify the entries requiring conflict background research
• Coordinate with attorneys, legal assistants, business intake personnel, financial systems, and administrative staff to clarify conflict research requests and obtain missing information necessary to conduct background research
• Research client affiliates, adverse parties, owners, founders, executives, board members, related entities, and other associated individuals or organizations
• Identify and analyze corporate structures, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, ownership relationships, predecessor entities, name variations, and other relevant connections
• Verify legal entity names, addresses, jurisdictions, business status, and organizational information using firm-approved resources and public records
• Review negative news, litigation history, regulatory matters, bankruptcy information, criminal matters when available, foreclosure or lien information, reputation-related issues, and other information relevant to conflicts review
• Conduct sanctions and watchlist screening using firm-approved sanctions resources
• Search and review public records, news sources, court records, business databases, and other available sources to validate research findings
• Prepare clear, concise written summaries that highlight relevant findings, negative information, sanctions results, and supporting source information
• Place material negative information prominently in the report so conflicts reviewers can identify it quickly
• Investigate complex or unclear entity relationships and escalate unresolved research questions when additional guidance is needed
• Review completed research for accuracy, consistency, completeness, and formatting before circulation
• Maintain research documentation and follow Firm procedures for processing and storing conflict background check materials
• Prioritize routine, urgent, and emergency research requests while meeting deadlines and maintaining accuracy
• Assist with workflow improvements, research templates, process documentation, and conflicts-related projects as assigned
• Bachelor's degree required; degree in information or library science preferred
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience conducting research involving conflicts, due diligence, public records, corporations, investigations, compliance, business intake, or similar work
• Strong experience using business databases, public records, due diligence, sanctions, and legal research resources, including Lexis+ Public Records / SmartLinx, Lexis Negative News, Lexis Sanctions and Watchlists, D&B Hoovers, Bloomberg Law, Courthouse News Service, World-Check Sanctions, Office of Foreign Assets Control resources, SEC filings, Google Search and Google News, state corporate filing databases, public records databases, and court records resources
• Ability to identify and analyze corporate ownership structures, parent and subsidiary relationships, affiliated entities, officers, directors, beneficial owners, entity name changes, litigation history, bankruptcy filings, regulatory matters, sanctions exposure, and negative news
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to summarize complex research findings clearly, accurately, and concisely
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, consistency, and completeness
• Ability to manage multiple research assignments, changing priorities, and time-sensitive requests in a fast-paced environment
• Sound judgment and the ability to recognize when findings require escalation or additional review
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• High level of responsiveness and customer service when working with attorneys, business intake personnel, and administrative teams
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and related document management or intake systems
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with a team
• Flexibility to assist with urgent requests, emergency conflicts research, and special projects as needed