Legal Support · Conflict screening
Conflict of Interest Management Support
DFS supports a firm's conflict process by researching the people and entities in a new matter and reporting possible connections for the attorney to evaluate.
Names are not always what they seem
A new matter may involve a subsidiary, a former name, a spouse or a business partner that the firm's own system does not catch. Checking those relationships takes research time that intake staff rarely have.
DFS adds that research step. The firm decides what the results mean under its professional obligations.
How DFS supports conflict management
Research support for a firm's conflict process. DFS reports potential matches; the attorney makes every ethical determination.
- Party and entity researchIdentifying related entities, officers, former names and associated parties from public records.
- List comparisonChecking research results against client or matter lists the firm provides.
- Potential match reportingA written list of possible conflicts and the basis for each.
- Lateral and new-client supportScreening for new engagements or incoming attorneys' prior matters, as the firm directs.
Process overview
- Firm submits the requestNames, entities and related parties, plus any lists to compare against.
- DFS researchesInvestigators search public records and compare against the provided lists.
- Attorney reviewsThe report goes to the designated attorney, who makes the conflict determination.
Responsibility and limits
Conflict screening is research support. It does not replace the firm's own conflict system or judgment.
- Ethical determinations, waivers and consents belong to the attorney and firm.
- DFS cannot guarantee that every conflict will be identified.
- Results depend on public records and the completeness of the lists the firm supplies.
- Communications with DFS are not attorney-client privileged; share only what the task requires.
The attorney decides
DFS reports facts and possible matches. Whether a conflict exists, and what to do about it, is a professional responsibility question for the firm.
Questions about conflict of interest management
Does DFS need access to our conflict database?
No. Firms usually export the relevant client or matter list for comparison, sharing only the fields needed.
Can DFS tell us whether a conflict can be waived?
No. Waiver analysis is legal judgment reserved for the attorney.
Is this useful for small firms?
Yes. Firms without dedicated conflicts staff often use outside research for matters with many parties or corporate families.
Guides on this topic
Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.
Related services
Next steps and alternatives that often go with this work.
Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information, not legal advice.
Tell DFS what the matter needs
Call, text or email with the task, the county and any deadline. You will get a plain answer on scope and cost before work begins.
Questions first? Call or text (629) 310-8667 or email contact@delatorgroup.com.