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Running a Conflict Check in LeanLaw

How to run a conflict check in LeanLaw — including what data is searched, how to enter keywords, single vs. multiple keyword searches, and what the results show.

A conflict check identifies whether your firm has a pre-existing relationship with any party connected to a potential new matter — ensuring you don't represent adverse or conflicting interests. LeanLaw's conflict check searches across all your client and matter data, including current and past clients.

📋 Permission required: You need the 'Create and Edit Clients/Matters' permission to run a conflict check. If you don't see the Conflict Check button, contact your firm administrator to verify your role. More on user permissions: User Roles & Permissions in LeanLaw.

 

What the Conflict Check Searches

LeanLaw's conflict check searches across all of the following data for every client and matter in your firm — including archived clients and closed matters:

  • Client name: The full name of every client.
  • Matter name: The name of every matter associated with each client.
  • Matter Info tab fields: All data entered in a matter's Info tab, including referral source, adverse parties, opposing counsel, and notes.
  • Client contact information: Client address, email, and other contact details stored in LeanLaw. This does not include CC, BCC, or any overrides set at the Matter level.

💡 Make conflict checks more effective: The more complete your matter Info tabs, the more powerful your conflict checks. Always enter adverse parties, opposing counsel names, and related parties in the matter's Info tab when opening a new matter. These fields are specifically designed to be searched during conflict checks.

 

Running a Conflict Check

  1. Click the Matters tab in the top navigation.
  2. Click the Conflict Check button (located on the left of the Matters list).
  3. In the search field, enter the name or term to search for.
  4. Press Enter or click Search.
  5. Review the results (see Article 2 for guidance on interpreting results).

 

Entering Keywords

LeanLaw's conflict check supports single keyword searches or multiple keywords entered:

Search Type

How to Enter

Single keyword

Type one word: e.g., 'Smith'

Multiple keywords

Separate words with commas or semicolons: e.g., 'Smith, Jones' or 'Smith; Jones'

 

⚠️ Multi-word phrase limitation: LeanLaw currently searches for individual keywords only — not phrases. Searching for 'John Doe' as a single entry will not return results for the full name as a phrase. To search for a full name, run separate searches for 'John' and 'Doe' and review the combined results. If phrase search is important to your firm, you can submit a feature request through LeanLaw's product feedback portal.

 

Best Practices for Thorough Conflict Checking

  • Search multiple name variations: Try last name only, first name only, and common abbreviations or alternate spellings — especially for names with multiple possible spellings (e.g., 'Smith', 'Smyth').
  • Search related parties: Run separate searches for all known parties in the matter — the opposing party, opposing counsel, related entities, key individuals, and insurance companies.
  • Search company names and individuals: If the new client is a company, also search for the names of its key principals in case your firm has a relationship with them individually.
  • Check archived matters: LeanLaw's conflict check covers archived clients and matters by default — but verify this is the case in the current product, as archiving behavior can vary.