When it's used
Before the engagement letter is signed and before any substantive legal work begins on a new matter.
Definition
A conflict-of-interest check memo documents the paralegal’s systematic search of the firm’s client database, adverse-party lists, and attorney records to confirm the firm has no disqualifying prior or concurrent representation. Under California Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7 and 1.9, a firm may not represent a new client whose interests are directly adverse to a current or former client without proper disclosure and consent. The paralegal runs the search, logs every name variation and related entity checked, records the results, and routes the memo to the supervising attorney for sign-off. A clean, documented conflict check protects the firm from disciplinary action and potential disqualification motions down the line.