IP Practice Group Director - Strategy & Operations

Dorsey & Whitney LLP; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 205,000 - 265,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorsey & Whitney LLP seeks a Practice Group Director to drive success across Patent, Trademark, Regulatory Affairs, Labor & Employment, and Construction Litigation Practice Groups. Hybrid role, with base offices in the U.S. and collaboration with HR, Finance, Marketing, and Knowledge Management for firm-wide initiatives.

You will lead staffing, workflows, budgeting, and governance, while advancing people‑centered processes and partnerships with Practice Group leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–15 years of supervisory/management experience.
• 7+ years in patent and trademark operations, including U.S./foreign filing and docketing.
• Knowledge of patent/trademark rules and practices.
• Strong leadership and project management abilities.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills; handles sensitive personnel matters.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Familiarity with AI tools and willingness to explore applications.

Responsibilities

• Act as strategic advisor to firm and Practice Group leadership.
• Lead operational and systems initiatives within Patent and Trademark practices.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IS, Knowledge Management, Marketing to implement initiatives.
• Lead people-focused onboarding, progression to partnership, training, and performance.
• Coordinate with Finance on budgets, staffing, profitability, and matter management.
• Facilitate client reporting and budget tracking; collaborate on cross-practice initiatives.
• Support strategic business plans and address morale and performance challenges.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Strategic advisory

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Communication

People development

Education

Advanced degree

Job description

Dorsey & Whitney LLP seeks a Practice Group Director to drive success across Patent, Trademark, Regulatory Affairs, Labor & Employment, and Construction Litigation Practice Groups. Hybrid role, with base offices in the U.S. and collaboration with HR, Finance, Marketing, and Knowledge Management for firm-wide initiatives.

You will lead staffing, workflows, budgeting, and governance, while advancing people‑centered processes and partnerships with Practice Group leadership.