IP Practice Manager

Boston, MA

 The IP Practice Manager will work closely with the Section Manager and Division Head, as part of Section Management, to manage key aspects of the IP Section’s practice, and serve as the Section’s point person for coordinating with other departments, such as Human Resources, Professional Development, Finance, Legal Recruiting, Marketing and Business Development, Client Intake, Public Relations and Library and Research Services.

 Responsibilities

Section Administration

• Facilitate identification of Section objectives and develop and implement strategies to accomplish goals.
• Review and analyze Section’s financial data and assist with billing and collections.
• Oversee Section budgets, including reviewing, approving and monitoring spending throughout the year.
• Work with Section Manager and Business Development Managers on business planning processes, marketing initiatives, and presentations for Member Retreats and Section Meetings.
• Prepare reports for Section and Firm Management to facilitate analyses of practice development initiatives, business goals, and Section capabilities.
• Support knowledge management initiatives.
• Coordinate with Human Resources, Professional Development, Finance, Library and Research Services, Legal Recruiting, Marketing and Business Development, and Public Relations Departments to optimize organization, best practices, and resource utilization.
• Plan and coordinate various Section events to promote group cohesiveness and recognize accomplishments.
  Assist Section Manager with general administrative activities and serve as a resource for coordination with other Sections and administrative personnel.
• Other Section specific responsibilities as requested.

Work Allocation/Staffing Needs

• Assist Section Management to assign appropriate work to attorneys and other legal professionals.
• Prepare and review staffing/workload reports for Section Management and communicate with assigning attorneys to assess staffing needs.
• Identify and implement a process for understanding associate workload in real time (i.e., on a weekly basis).
• Work with attorneys to optimize attorney utilization and support attorney development.
• Identify and assess hiring needs; make hiring recommendations to section management.
• Oversee temporary attorneys and law clerks in the section.

Professional Development

• Work with Section Manager to monitor attorney and paralegal performance.
• Facilitate Section and Practice Group meetings/training sessions.
• Work with Section Members to identify Section and practice group agenda items and training topics.
• Work closely with the Attorney Development team to identify developmental gaps and implement the various mentoring programs.
• Coordinate with the Attorney Development team and Section Managers for attorney evaluation process.
• Coordinate with the Attorney Development team to facilitate elevating current attorneys, orienting and integrating new attorneys and legal professionals joining the Section.
• Coordinate with the Attorney Development team and other departments as needed to oversee attorney departures and file transfers.
• Coordinate with the Attorney Development team to manage attorneys on and off-ramping for leaves of absence, including managing staffing needs.
• Identify and facilitate external professional development opportunities (i.e., conferences, Bar offerings, etc.) for the Section.

Qualifications

• J.D. or MBA degree preferred, with 5-7 years of experience in a large law firm—a portion of which should be working in professional development and/or human resources.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to influence others.
• Excellent judgment and a high level of integrity.
• Understanding of law firm accounting and finance.
• Ability to work with attorneys, paralegals, and staff at all levels in a professional and collegial manner.
• Must be comfortable working with highly confidential information.
• Must be a good team member and an independent and proactive self-starter.
• Outstanding leadership and management abilities that foster collaborative working relationships.
• Must have a “hands on” tactical approach, with ability to be a strategic thinker.
• Ability to grasp and implement new concepts quickly.
• Travels regularly to offices.
• Strong knowledge of Word, Outlook, and Excel.

In performing the foregoing responsibilities, the IP Practice Manager would work with the Section Manager, the Division Head, and the Business Development Manager to coordinate efficient and optimal administration of the section.