Legal Support Manager

DLA Piper; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 112,879 - 172,003; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper is seeking a Legal Support Manager to oversee LSST teams across offices, ensuring smooth workflow and attorney‑client service in a hybrid Boston office. You will coordinate workload, staffing, timekeeping, and inter‑department collaboration in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives.

This is a senior, visible position with opportunities to shape service delivery. The role requires at least five years of executive legal support with supervisory experience, including budgeting,

Qualifications

• Excellent communication, strong computer and interpersonal skills; strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities; ability to manage multiple projects under pressure; prior experience in a legal or professional services management setting, or human resources management.

Responsibilities

• Supervise LSST teams daily and coordinate workload.
• Serve as liaison between administrative departments and timekeepers.
• Monitor daily absences, arrange substitute staffing, and approve vacations.
• Process and approve time cards for all LSST members.
• Propose and monitor budget for LSST members and overtime; ensures overtime is minimized.
• Report all leave and FMLA issues to Human Resources and arrange coverage for leaves of absence.
• Monitor LSST staffing levels to keep in line with the firm’s ratio plan and adjust assignments as necessary.
• Assign LSST to new incoming timekeepers.
• Recruit and interview LSST members for open assignments and assist in training, orientation, and mentoring.
• Prepare evaluations of all LSST members; solicit feedback, propose salary increases, and oversee performance reviews.
• Coach, mediate, and document performance, attendance, and conduct issues; escalate to Office Administrator and HR.
• Arrange and conduct LSST meetings, coordinate training and other events, and ensure participation in required training.
• Participate in the orientation of all incoming LSST members and timekeepers.
• Participate in firm projects related to Legal Support Services and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Communication

Legal support management

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

HR management experience

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Overview

The Legal Support Manager works in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, closely with the Office Administrator to supervise the various Legal Support Services Teams (LSST) in their office(s), ensuring smooth workflow, workload coordination, and attorney‑client service.

Location

This position can sit in our Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, or Washington, DC office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Manages day‑to‑day activities of LSST, coordinates workload and utilization of LSST individuals and teams, and oversees overflow assistance and inter‑department coordination.
• Serves as liaison between administrative departments and timekeepers.
• Communicates and administers firm policies and procedures as they relate to LSST members.
• Monitors daily absences, arranges substitute staffing as needed, and approves vacation requests.
• Processes and approves time cards for all LSST members.
• Proposes and monitors budget for LSST members and overtime; ensures overtime is minimized.
• Reports all leave and FMLA issues to Human Resources and arranges coverage for leaves of absence.
• Monitors LSST staffing levels to keep in line with the firm’s ratio plan and adjusts work assignments as necessary.
• Assigns LSST to new incoming timekeepers.
• Recruits and interviews LSST members for open assignments and assists in training, orientation, and mentoring of new LSST members.
• Prepares evaluations of all LSST members; solicits feedback, proposes salary increases, and oversees performance reviews.
• Coaches, mediates, and documents performance, attendance, and conduct issues; brings discipline issues to the Office Administrator and HR.
• Arranges and conducts LSST meetings, coordinates training and other events, and ensures participation in required training.
• Participates in the orientation of all incoming LSST members and timekeepers.
• Participates in firm projects related to Legal Support Services and performs other duties as assigned.

Desired Skills

Excellent communication, strong computer and interpersonal skills; strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities; ability to manage multiple projects under pressure; prior experience in a legal or professional services management setting, or human resources management.

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s Degree

Minimum Years of Experience

• 5 years’ executive legal support experience with at least two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Essential Job Expectations

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence efficiently.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.
• Foster positive work relationships.
• Comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as working at a computer and participating in calls and meetings.
• Work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast‑paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work involving sitting most of the time; occasional lifting or moving of objects up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment

The role may involve a hybrid work arrangement of remote and in‑office work, determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor.

Disclaimer

This job description is a concise statement of the work elements and may be modified at the firm’s discretion. It does not change the at‑will nature of employment.

Compensation and Benefits

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $112,879 – $172,003 per year, depending on geographic location. Compensation may vary based on experience, skills, education, and qualifications. The package includes medical, dental, vision insurance, and a 401(k) plan.

Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to allow individuals with a disability to perform essential functions of the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.