After 5 rounds of interviews and clearing background/reference checks, I received an offer that is contingent on getting a conflict waiver from a former client.
I touched the case of the client whom I need the waiver from for no more than 3-5 hours over a year ago and had no access to any client documents (covered an ex parte hearing for an out of town partner). However, the case is still active and the firm I got the offer from is on the other side of the case.
I had no direct contact with the client so I asked the relationship partner for their blessing to contact the client (my mistake) and they said “go ahead but good luck getting ahold of them.”
As it turns out, unbeknownst to me, the former client is in bankruptcy and has completely fell off the face of the earth. I’ve reached out to them by phone, email, LinkedIn, and even tried showing up in person at their corporate headquarters (it was closed and the building looked vacant). However, I can’t get so much as a response. I also learned they fired their bankruptcy counsel and are proceeding through bankruptcy in pro per.
How screwed am I? Am I going to lose the offer AND my current role? Is there any way I can get out of this nightmare?