Apply Now

The Practice Director will serve  as trusted advisor and “chief of staff” to the Heads of the Litigation Group. The Practice Director will work directly with practice group (PG) leadership to drive accountability and ensure operational efficiency within the assigned practice group.  In this role, the Practice Director will report primarily to the Heads of the Litigation Group, with a secondary reporting line to the Chief Administrative Officer.  The Practice Director will work closely with other business operations departments (e.g., Finance, Legal Talent, Marketing/BD, Knowledge, IT, HR, Office of General Counsel, etc.) to support the practice operations, business strategies, financial profitability, resource management, and plans of the assigned practice group.

• Serve as trusted advisor and “chief of staff” to PG leadership
• Collaborate with PG heads, partners and other key stakeholders to develop a vision and strategic practice group plan with clear and achievable goals focused on revenue, profitability, headcount, reputation, brand awareness, profile and competitive differentiation
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and relentlessly execute on PG strategic plan and track progress
• Support PG heads with the daily operations of the assigned practice group, including preparing for PG meetings and retreats
• Identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, and efficiency in business operations, matter management, infrastructure, methodologies, and develop solutions and plans for corresponding action
• Collaborate with Finance colleagues to analyze PG financial performance (revenue, profitability, realization, utilization, A/R); report regularly on key performance indicators, make recommendations for appropriate actions to improve group financial performance, monitor progress and execute on related action items
• Take primary role in monitoring the PG’s operational expenditures
• Support Finance colleagues with matter pricing and management
• Collaborate with Legal Talent colleagues to create and execute on lateral onboarding and integration programs for attorneys joining the PG
• Collaborate with Legal Talent colleagues on training and resource planning and management, recruiting, retention, partnership pipeline, succession planning, and other aspects of talent management
• Collaborate with Marketing and Business Development to analyze and increase cross-selling efforts within the firm and work with client teams to enhance client collaboration
• Collaborate with Knowledge Department to continue to drive efficiencies, improve processes, and incorporate innovation in legal service delivery
• Monitor current trends and best practices in legal and professional services management; communicate the impact of new innovations, developments, and regulations
• Monitor attorney utilization and work assignments, business development opportunities, and promotions are equitably distributed within the Department
• Strong knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles and the ability to track, organize, analyze and report financial data in a clear manner
• Participate in fostering a culture that is team-oriented and committed to professional excellence

• A minimum of seven years serving as a practicing lawyer or business professional with an emphasis on practice management, operations, financial analysis and management, legal project management, client relationship management, and talent management in highly sophisticated legal environments, with at least two years’ experience working in a litigation practice
• Strong business acumen, project management, and analytical skills; the ability to develop and successfully execute comprehensive project and operational plans from broadly stated objectives
• Proven  experience driving continuous improvement and innovation in business operations, technology, infrastructure, and practices in a complex, matrixed, global professional services
• Outstanding interpersonal skills; ability to lead through influence rather than direct control and to create consensus-based support for business strategies and decisions
• Superior presentation, writing, and verbal communication skills; confidence, professionalism and tenacity to interact credibly and diplomatically with all levels in an organization, including partners and firm management—tailoring communications effectively for different groups and stakeholders
• A consultative, collaborative, and highly client service-oriented approach

• Bachelor’s degree required

• JD or MBA preferred

Salary Information

The estimated base salary range for this position is $300k to $350k at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.