Legal Staff Other in Columbia, SC

Law Firm

Columbia, SC

Legal Staff Other in Columbia, SC

Legal Staff

Min 5 yrs required

No

Job Title: Practice Group Manager

Job Responsibilities:

The Practice Group Manager plays a critical role in managing and supporting multiple practice groups within the law firm. This position serves as a liaison between Practice Group Leaders (PGLs), attorneys, staff, and various departments to ensure the achievement of the practice groups' goals and strategic initiatives. The key responsibilities are divided into three main areas: Practice Group Business and Operations, Financial Management, and People Management.

Practice Group Business and Operations:
- Collaborate with PGLs to prepare annual business plans and goals, and monitor progress throughout the year.
- Support the PGL and Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer in market analysis and assessment.
- Work with PGLs to provide support to Industry Teams and collaborate with Business Development Managers (BDMs) on activities such as budget management and responding to business proposals.
- Prepare for and support regular practice group meetings, ensuring meaningful agendas and actionable outcomes.
- Maintain meeting notes, monitor progress on action items, and ensure follow-up on deliverables.
- Establish and maintain clear and consistent communication with practice groups, including those in different offices.
- Assist with events and client initiatives, ensuring appropriate representation at firm and client activities.
- Manage the execution of practice group projects and initiatives.
- Address questions related to practice group operations and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
- Review and approve new clients and matters as part of the intake process, ensuring compliance with firm standards.
- Keep PGLs and the Chief Information Officer informed about key practice technologies and innovations.
- Promote high levels of client service and adherence to the law firm's Client Service Standards.
- Notify the Business Development and marketing team of significant matters for media outreach and experience tracking.

Financial Management:
- Support PGLs in managing the financial performance of attorneys and practice groups, ensuring key metrics are met.
- Act as a liaison with Accounting to generate financial reports and address specific reporting needs.
- Work with the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer to identify opportunities for rate setting and value-added pricing through alternative fee arrangements.
- Ensure practice group members practice sound financial hygiene, such as time entry and billing.
- Manage expense approvals and track against the practice group's administrative budget.

People Management:
- Partner with PGLs and HR to identify and implement hiring and strategic growth goals.
- Assist with the recruitment and onboarding of attorneys and staff to meet practice group needs.
- Facilitate the integration of new hires by connecting them with other attorneys and the firm.
- Assist PGLs in managing work allocation for attorneys to maximize productivity and meet client needs.
- Monitor attorney workloads and utilization reports to identify productivity issues and gaps.
- Review staffing needs regularly to ensure optimal use of staff resources and improve engagement.
- Collaborate with PGLs and HR to facilitate professional development plans and expectations for Associates and Counsel/Special Counsel.
- Support professional development through training, job shadowing, and pro bono work.
- Assist PGLs in participating in the Professional Review Committee processes.
- Work with the Office of General Counsel to implement processes for departing attorneys, ensuring smooth transitions of clients and matters.

Diversity and Inclusion:
- Support the firm's strategic plan by contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
- Coordinate with Business Development Managers and the Diversity Manager on diversity-related surveys and RFPs.

Education and Experience Information:

- Minimum of 5 years of experience in law firm administration or corporate legal operations.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting/finance, marketing, human resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. An MBA is highly desirable.
- Working knowledge of generally accepted business and financial principles and standards.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to influence others and adapt style and delivery to various audiences.
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, effective teamwork, and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with PGLs, firm management, attorneys, staff, clients, and the public.
- Excellent project management skills and the ability to organize and prioritize workload in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly self-motivated and self-directed, able to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrates independent judgment and provides guidance and direction to key stakeholders.
- Exhibits initiative, innovative thinking, and process improvement skills.
- Problem-solving skills, attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality.
- Comfortable working in a mixed-matrix environment with multiple stakeholders and potentially competing priorities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word) and legal management and accounting software.

Salary Information:

The text does not provide specific salary information for the Practice Group Manager position.

Note: The law firm is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes recruitment, employment, promotional, and all other personnel decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.