Legal Support Manager

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP; United States; Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP seeks a Legal Support Manager to lead and develop a large team of legal support professionals across multiple practice groups and offices. The role focuses on aligning staffing with practice needs, optimizing workflows, and driving performance in a complex, fast-paced environment.

You will partner with HR, practice management, and administrators to ensure effective resource allocation, training, and professional growth, while upholding confidentiality and firm values.

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive management experience, preferably within a legal/professional services environment.
• Proven ability to inspire, lead, and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of legal support staff management, including hiring, development, supervision, and performance management.
• Collaborate with practice management to align staff resources with evolving needs and goals.
• Coordinate with HR and the Legal Support Administrator on coaching, career development, and corrective action.

Skills

Staff management

Leadership

Performance management

Resource allocation

Budgeting

HR collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

We are always seeking talented, motivated, growth-minded, and creative individuals. Our firm is committed to providing employee support and advancement, while embracing inclusion and innovation as keys to a stronger future.

The Legal Support Manager is responsible for the comprehensive management of legal support services across assigned practice groups and firm offices to ensure attorneys are supported by a well-matched team of skilled legal support professionals -- including Legal Practice Assistants and Legal Administrative Assistants -- sufficient to meet the demands of attorney workload and practice needs.

Essential Responsibilities:

Oversee all aspects of legal support staff management, including hiring, professional development, day-to-day supervision, and performance management—partnering with Human Resources as appropriate. Works closely with practice management to understand practice group processes, align staff resources and training with evolving practice group needs, and support the achievement of operational goals. In collaboration with the Legal Support Administrator, provide leadership and direction to assigned practice group legal support staff, including resource allocation, schedule management, performance management, and compensation recommendations, ensuring alignment with Human Resources. Develop a deep understanding of practice group operations and ensure legal support staff possess the skills and training necessary to meet the practice group’s needs. Analyze reports to generate insights, recommendations, and strategies to enhance team performance. Conduct regular check-ins with legal support staff and attorneys. Partner with Human Resources and the Legal Support Administrator for policy guidance and interpretation on matters such as coaching, counseling, career development, and corrective action. Collaborate with the Legal Support Administrator, attorneys, and legal support team to strengthen working relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention, support employee engagement through team building, community service, and other office initiatives. Collaborate closely with Legal Support Administrator to ensure work is appropriately assigned to the right personnel for optimal efficiency and effectiveness. Build and maintain strong relationships with legal support staff and firm-wide administrative departments to identify workflow improvements and resolve issues, including enhancements in billing, intake and conflicts, and attorney travel. Maintain confidentiality of information.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Proven ability to inspire, lead, and develop high-performing teams. Exceptional leadership, managerial, strategic thinking, and time management skills. Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to effectively communicate and present information as well as respond to questions from lawyers, staff, and clients. Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities; able to identify issues, craft practical solutions, and resolve conflicts with sound judgment. High integrity and professionalism; established credibility and trusted partnership with practice group leadership, management, attorneys, and legal support team. Skilled at building productive relationships; effective both independently and as a collaborative team member. Able to represent the department in a professional and positive manner, serving as a role model for team members. Ability to balance multiple priorities, remain composed under pressure, and adapt to shifting demands. Strong commitment to client service, ethical conduct, and firm values. Demonstrated ability to self-manage and work independently in a remote, hybrid, and in-office settings. Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team to promote consistent and efficient workflow processes. Strong organizational and prioritizing skills to streamline processes and improve efficiency. High-level of flexibility and adaptability as well as the ability to manage and support change in a fast-paced environment. Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree or any combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties of the position.

Preferred Education:

N/A

Certification(s):

N/A

Required Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience managing large legal support teams. Minimum five (5) years of progressive management experience, preferably within a legal/professional services environment required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience leading resources supporting multiple individuals in multiple locations beneficial. Practice area knowledge and familiarity with practice-level technology beneficial.

The Firm will comply with any applicable city or state workplace mandates in effect in regards to Covid-19. This position description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of the job. The statements contained in the position description are not necessarily all-inclusive and additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as determined by business needs. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

By applying for this position, you agree and understand that Troutman Pepper Locke will process your Personal Information pursuant to the terms of our Worker and Applicant Global Privacy Notice. If you have questions about our data handling practices, or you are a resident of California, the United Kingdom, or the European Union and wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us at [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity

Troutman Pepper Locke adheres to a policy of equal opportunity and will make all employment decisions, which include hiring, promotion, transfer, demotion, evaluation, compensation and separation, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital or armed forces status and any other classification as protected by law.

Compensation is dependent on several factors, such as position, location, market, education, training, and/or experience. Hiring Salary Range: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00

About Us

Your experience is our difference. We aim to make a tangible and lasting difference for you and your business. As a client of our firm, you can expect us to be ahead of the curve in your industry, start closer to the right answer on your issue, and create more value. What drives you, drives us. Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. As a firm of more than 1,600 attorneys in 35 offices in the U.S., UK, and EU, including the 10 largest U.S. legal markets, we serve clients ranging from multinational companies to new market entrants across all major industry sectors, and offer differentiated experience in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. We put clients first. This service ethic manifests itself in everything we do, including through Troutman Plus, our market-leading client value program. Through Troutman Plus, we collaborate with clients to understand their unique needs and deliver customized solutions that add real value to their business. A true service culture thrives on an inclusive environment of mutual support and collaboration — values we emphasize at every level of our firm. Delivering the best service to you depends on a work environment that embraces respect, inclusiveness, and teamwork, empowering every individual to contribute. The best ideas emerge when everyone has a seat at the table. Corporate responsibility is central to our mission as we reach out to the communities we serve in meaningful partnerships and pro bono work. Individuals and groups firmwide contribute time and talent to the civic, cultural, charitable, educational, and professional organizations that matter to them.