Legal Support Manager

Jobtailor; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior leader to manage legal support services across practice groups and firm offices. You will recruit, develop, and supervise staff, partner with HR and administration on policy guidance and compensation, and align resources with business needs.

You will analyze performance data, drive staffing strategies, and maintain high morale while ensuring confidential handling of information and adherence to firm values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Demonstrated experience managing large legal support teams.
• Progressive management experience in a legal or professional services environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage legal support services across assigned practice groups and firm offices.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, development, supervision, performance management, and retention of legal support professionals.
• Partner with HR, practice management, and the Legal Support Administrator on staffing, policy guidance, and compensation recommendations.
• Allocate resources, manage schedules, and ensure work is assigned efficiently.
• Develop understanding of practice group operations and align staff skills and training with business needs.
• Analyze reports and provide performance insights, recommendations, and strategies.
• Conduct regular check-ins with legal support staff and attorneys.
• Build collaborative, high-performing teams and strengthen morale, engagement, productivity, and retention.
• Maintain relationships with administrative departments to improve workflows and resolve issues involving billing, intake, conflicts, and attorney travel.
• Serve as the primary Legal Support Administration contact within the local office.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

• Manage legal support services across assigned practice groups and firm offices
• Oversee recruitment, selection, onboarding, development, supervision, performance management, and retention of legal support professionals
• Partner with Human Resources, practice management, and the Legal Support Administrator on staffing, policy guidance, career development, corrective action, and compensation recommendations
• Allocate resources, manage schedules, and ensure work is assigned efficiently
• Develop understanding of practice group operations and align staff skills and training with business needs
• Analyze reports and provide performance insights, recommendations, and strategies
• Conduct regular check-ins with legal support staff and attorneys
• Build collaborative, high-performing teams and strengthen morale, engagement, productivity, and retention
• Maintain relationships with administrative departments to improve workflows and resolve issues involving billing, intake, conflicts, and attorney travel
• Serve as the primary Legal Support Administration contact within the local office
• Maintain confidentiality of information

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or any combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties of the position
• Demonstrated experience managing large legal support teams
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive management experience, preferably within a legal/professional services environment
• Experience leading resources supporting multiple individuals in multiple locations beneficial
• Practice area knowledge and familiarity with practice-level technology beneficial
• Proven ability to inspire, lead, and develop high-performing teams
• Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in remote, hybrid, and in-office settings
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, prioritizing, communication, leadership, and time-management skills
• High integrity and professionalism
• Strong commitment to client service, ethical conduct, and firm values

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing legal support services, including recruitment, performance management, and team development, while ensuring alignment with practice group operations and business needs. Proven ability to analyze performance data and foster collaborative, high-performing teams in a legal environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Legal Support Team Management
• Performance Analysis and Insights
• Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Team Development and Leadership
• Client Service Commitment

Hard Skills

• Team Management
• Performance Management
• Resource Allocation
• Analytical Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Communication
• Organizational Skills
• Time Management
• High Integrity

Industry Keywords

• Legal Support Services
• Practice Group Operations
• Professional Services Environment
• Confidentiality
• Client Service