Legal Practice Manager - Energy Department

McGuireWoods LLP; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

McGuireWoods LLP seeks a Practice Manager to act as the primary liaison to the Department Chair, guiding the energy department’s operations and aligning attorneys with the firm’s business functions to drive performance and superior client service.

The role emphasizes leadership, strategic planning, and process improvement, including scheduling, budgeting, workload monitoring, and cross‑functional collaboration to enhance efficiency and knowledge sharing across the department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; law firm or professional services preferred.
• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to work with all levels.
• Customer service orientation and problem-solving mindset.
• Interest in using AI tools to improve efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Department Chair to set strategic goals and drive performance.
• Oversee daily operations of the energy department and coordinate with attorneys and business functions.
• Manage scheduling, meetings, and preparation of materials for internal reviews and planning sessions.
• Monitor workloads, billable hours, and time-entry compliance; escalate issues to the chair.
• Collaborate with finance, billing, and HR to support budgets and resource allocation.

Skills

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Team leadership

Client service orientation

Analytical thinking

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Harvey

Copilot

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.