Business Development Specialist-Litigation

New York, NY 

Summary

The Litigation Business Development Specialist plays a key, partner-interfacing role on the nationwide Litigation BD team, which covers all of the Firm’s nine primary Litigation practice areas and the 350-attorney Litigation Department as a whole. The Specialist will focus extensively on day-to-day high-level execution of business development and marketing strategies and related assignments, including 1) serving as BD lead on client pitches and proposals and RFPs, and liaising with partners and attorneys to draft and complete these assignments, as well as related projects; 2) identifying and communicating meaningful BD leads and opportunities and client developments to partners; and 3) overseeing all aspects of the directory and award submission process, working with partners to draft and finalize submissions over the course of the year and develop effective client reference strategies. The Specialist will also work closely with the Associate Director and Litigation Department and practice group leadership to develop strategic plans and projects on a continuous basis, with the goals of generating new business opportunities and retentions, and measuring and reporting on the efficacy and efficiency of the Department’s initiatives on a periodic basis.

Primary Responsibilities and/or Essential Functions

• Work with Associate Director and partners to develop and execute on a day-to-day basis overall Business Development strategy, processes, initiatives, and work product in support of the Firm, Litigation practices and practice leadership, and cross-practice and individual attorney initiatives.
• Interfacing with partners and the Associate Director, oversee, execute, and draft client pitches, proposals, and responses to RFPs, drawing on practice area knowledge and practice and matter descriptions, as well as commence and complete related assignments such as client research.
• Execute Firm and Departmental profile-raising objectives and oversee directory and legal awards submission process, including working with partners and attorneys to develop compelling narrative, drafting submissions and awards nominations, aggregating references and related information, and liaising with major publications (Chambers, Legal 500, etc.) as necessary.
• Plan, manage, and attend client-facing events, including in-office, Firm-sponsored events, CLE presentations, webinars, and other special engagements, working with partners, as well as functional specialists within the broader Business Development Department, including Creative Services, Marketing Mailings (CRM), Professional Development, Public Relations, the Web Team, and Editorial.
• Utilize major external data analysis tools (e.g., CapitalIQ, PACER, Westlaw and LEXIS, Bloomberg Law, etc.) to commence and complete research and competitive intelligence and market trends assessments, as well as generate leads, while utilizing internal databases and libraries to track pitch and other BD-related activity, update client-matter (case) descriptions and developments, and update the Firm’s client-relationship management (CRM) system.
• Administer and maintain the Litigation BD team’s docket monitoring and lead generation processes (e.g., daily stock price drop assessment), including oversight of daily lead emails and news sweeps, in furtherance of client relationship management goals.
• In collaboration with Associate Director and Litigation BD team, assist with dissemination of thought leadership through client alerts, blog posts and blog development, video logs, and other projects.
• Assist Public Relations team with profile-raising and reporter outreach initiatives, as necessary.
• Observe confidentiality of all Firm and client matters.
• Any other responsibilities or special projects as assigned by Associate Director or Management.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 6+ years of hands-on experience in Business Development or Marketing roles that covered Litigation practice areas (e.g., Securities Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation, White Collar/Investigations) and are necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and analytical capabilities; must be capable of synthesizing data and developing themes and capturing them in a narrative. Writing test required.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Word, PowerPoint and Excel, are required.
• Experience using and manipulating legal and other third-party databases (e.g. Pacer, Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, Bloomberg, Thomson, Monitor Suite, etc.) highly preferred.
• Ability to multitask and work independently in a fast-paced and high pressure environment; must possess a very strong attention to detail and a professional demeanor.
• Self-motivated, with excellent time management skills, project management skills and sound judgment required.
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours and on weekends as required.