Legal Practice Manager - Energy Department

McGuireWoods LLP; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid remote option

Job summary

McGuireWoods LLP is seeking a Practice Manager to provide high-level operational support to the Department Chair and oversee the energy department. The role serves as a liaison between attorneys, department leadership, and firm business functions to drive performance and deliver exceptional client service.

The Practice Manager will drive strategic initiatives, monitor performance, and ensure efficient, client-focused operations in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Five years of relevant experience with increasing responsibility, preferably in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work well with all levels of lawyers and professional staff.
• Interest in using innovative AI technology to support high‑impact work.

Responsibilities

• Partners with the Department Chair to develop short- and long-term business goals and implement solutions that align with firm objectives.
• Manages execution of strategic initiatives, including leadership development and business process improvements.
• Assists in the preparation of materials for internal reviews, partner meetings, and planning sessions.
• Oversees accounts receivable and unbilled time; liaises with chair, finance and accounting to resolve billing or process issues.
• Supports scheduling, agenda development, and follow-up for internal department and partner meetings.
• Aligns attorney skills, experience, and availability with client needs to optimize resource allocation.

Skills

People management

Communication

Organization

Client service

AI technology interest

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Overview

The Practice Manager will provide high-level operational support to the Department Chair and play a key role in the oversight of the newly formed energy department. The purpose of the role is to serve as a critical liaison between the department chair, the attorneys within the department, and firm’s business functions to drive performance, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure delivery of exceptional client service.

Overview

The Practice Manager will provide high-level operational support to the Department Chair and play a key role in the oversight of the newly formed energy department. The purpose of the role is to serve as a critical liaison between the department chair, the attorneys within the department, and firm’s business functions to drive performance, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure delivery of exceptional client service.

McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers most employees a hybrid remote option allowing flexibility and work-life balance. Our Applicant Disclosures describe your rights. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data.

Responsibilities

Business Planning & Execution

• Partners with the Department Chair to develop short- and long-term business goals and to implement solutions that align with firm objectives.
• Manages the execution of strategic initiatives, including leadership development, and business process improvements.
• Assists in the preparation of materials for internal reviews, partner meetings, and planning sessions.

Financial Performance

• Partners with the department financial advisor to keep abreast of key performance indicators and provide guidance to chair with applied insights to assist in the management of the department.
• Proactively oversees accounts receivable and unbilled time. Escalates material concerns to attention of the chair. Liaises with the chair, finance and accounting team, and department lawyers to facilitate resolution of matter, billing, or process issues. Follows up to ensure completion of action items undertaken by department lawyers.
• Partners with the finance and accounting team to set annual budgets for interoffice travel, and department meetings in conjunction with the chair.

Lawyer Performance & Operational Management

• In conjunction with the Department Chair, serves as the primary point of contact for day-to-day operations of the assigned department.
• Monitors lawyer workloads, billable hours, productivity, and time entry compliance. Escalates material anomalies/concerns to the attention of the chair on a routine basis. Ensures follow up on action items.
• Reviews and approves routine client and matter intake, conflicts issues, and billing rate exceptions. Researches and escalates issues to the chair, as appropriate.
• Implements processes to improve productivity, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among attorneys and business professionals.
• Supports the planning and execution of internal department and partner meetings by managing scheduling, communication, agenda development, and follow-up on the resulting action items.
• Partners with the Department Chair and matter supervisors to align attorney skills, experience, and availability with client needs, ensuring effective resource allocation that supports both business objectives and attorney development.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Support

• Provide insights on and oversight of department-specific goals to drive the execution of operational initiatives.
• Collaborates across business professional teams—including finance, billing, pricing, learning & development, business development, attorney recruiting and others.
• Ensure timely communication of firm initiatives, policies, and resources to the department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five years of relevant experience with a record of achievement and increasing responsibility. Direct experience in a law firm or professional services environment preferred.
• Highly organized with an ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work comfortably with all levels of lawyers and professional staff.
• Emphasis on client service.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must work well under pressure, be a problem-solver, and a team player.
• Interest in using innovative AI technology, including Harvey and Copilot, to support efficient high-impact work.