Conflict of interest accusations have been made against a lawyer who represented Westar Energy, Inc., and who now defends a Westar executive accused of looting the company. . . . . Clifford Chance made 30 new partners, focusing heavily on litigators -- which was more new partners than other UK firms. . . . . Citigroup says that biglaw firms had a terrific 2004 but will have trouble repeating that in 2005.