Reviewing Conflict Check Results in LeanLaw

After running a conflict check, LeanLaw returns a list of matches — every client record, matter record, or matter detail that contains your search term. This article explains how to read and act on those results.

What the Results Show

Conflict check results are organized by match location. For each result, LeanLaw shows:

Result View	What It Shows
Client-level match	The search term was found in the client's name or contact information. The client name and basic details appear in the results.
Matter-level match	The search term was found in the matter's name. The matter name and its associated client appear in the results.
Entry-level match	The search term was found in the matter's Info tab data — adverse parties, opposing counsel, referral source, notes, or other fields entered there. The specific field where the match was found and the matter it belongs to appear in the results.

📋 No results = no match found: If the results list is empty, no client, matter, or matter detail in LeanLaw contains your search term. This is a positive finding — it suggests no pre-existing relationship was found for that keyword. Remember to search all relevant parties, not just the primary client name.

Drilling Into a Result

Click on any result to open the corresponding client or matter record and review the full context:

For a client result: Opens the client's record — review their full contact details, associated matters, and billing history.
For a matter result: Opens the matter — review the Info tab for adverse parties, notes, and all associated data. Check the Overview and Billing Activity tabs to understand the history of the firm's work on this matter.

💡 Tip: When drilling into an entry-level result, navigate to the matter's Info tab specifically — that's where adverse party names, opposing counsel, and related party notes are stored. This is often the most valuable context for determining whether a true conflict exists.

The Matter Info Tab: What Gets Searched

The matter's Info tab is the primary location for conflict-relevant data beyond the client and matter name. Fields on the Info tab that are included in conflict check searches include:

Practice area: The area of law for this matter.
Referral source: Who referred this client to the firm.
Adverse parties: Names of the opposing parties in the matter — the most important field for conflict checking.
Opposing counsel: The attorney(s) representing the opposing party.
Notes: Any free-text notes entered about the matter.

⚠️ Keep Info tabs current: The conflict check is only as good as the data in your matters. If adverse party names, opposing counsel, and related parties are not entered in the matter's Info tab when matters are opened, those relationships will not surface in future conflict checks. Make completing the Info tab a required step in your matter-opening process.

When a Potential Conflict Is Found

If the conflict check returns a result that may indicate a conflict of interest, the decision about whether to proceed is a legal and ethical judgment — LeanLaw surfaces the data but does not make the conflict determination for you. Typical next steps:

Note the client, matter, and relationship found in the search results.
Review the full matter history (open matters, billing history, adverse party details) to understand the nature of the prior relationship.
Consult your state bar's rules of professional conduct on conflicts of interest.
Determine whether a conflict waiver is required or if the representation should be declined.
Document your conflict review decision — many firms record this in the matter's Notes field or in an external conflicts log.

Exporting or Printing Results

Verify whether conflict check results can be exported or printed from the current product UI. If export is available, the results can be saved as documentation of the conflict review process — useful for compliance and malpractice risk management purposes.