Manager, Legal Assistants

White & Case LLP; New York; Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

White & Case LLP in New York is seeking a seasoned Legal Assistant Manager to lead a team responsible for supporting attorneys and client services. The role includes mentoring staff, overseeing performance, and coordinating onboarding and training programs.

You will drive staffing decisions, monitor utilization, and collaborate with practice technology and litigation service providers to enhance efficiency and quality of work product.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years as a Legal Assistant Manager.
• College degree from four-year college or university.
• Previous experience as a Litigation Legal Assistant and 3-5 years as a Legal Assistant Manager.
• Superior presentation, writing, and oral communication skills.
• Outstanding relationship-building skills and personable approach.
• Ability to handle, prioritize, and complete assignments with competing deadlines.
• Ability to leverage resources, shepherd multiple incoming data points and deliver a quality final product with minimal oversight.
• Highly detail-oriented and accurate.
• Self-motivated, flexible, and organized.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Able to interact effectively and professionally with lawyers, legal assistants and support staff.
• Demonstrated experience in compensation practices, resume screening, and conducting interviews.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions and data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Legal Assistants and Senior Legal Support Specialists, providing mentorship and overseeing performance.
• Monitor utilization and prepare monthly team utilization analyses.
• Assist in hiring/staffing and interview processes.
• Design and coordinate orientation and training for onboarding.
• Oversee performance and coaching of Legal Assistants.
• Coordinate with internal legal teams to ensure efficient case handling.
• Staff requests for long-term and short-term assignments; regular check-ins with attorney teams.
• Serve as a resource for attorneys across offices on Legal Assistant matters.
• Review/approve timesheets and overtime reports.
• Develop training materials for Legal Assistants to maintain skills.
• Guide Associates on effective use of Legal Assistant support.
• Identify technology requirements to support litigation activities and improvements.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Prioritization

Education

Four-year college degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel (advanced)

Job description

Our Office Operations team is at the heart of ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the Firm's day-to-day operations. Our team manages the infrastructure, systems and services -both globally and locally-relating to our office workplaces, onsite and remote operational services, security, safety and a range of other areas. We provide PA support and manage document production, translation and travel services. Our team is responsible for our client-facing areas across the Firm, always seeking to ensure that clients and other visitors have an experience that is world-class. We also take the lead in running our day-to-day operations in the most environmentally sustainable way possible.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Lead and manage a team of Legal Assistants and Senior Legal Support Specialists by providing mentorship, supporting professional growth, and overseeing performance management.
• Monitor utilization and prepare monthly team utilization analysis for Director review.
• Make recommendations for hiring/staffing. Assist in the interviewing process.
• Design and coordinate orientation and training schedules to effectively onboard new employees and ensure their smooth integration into the Firm.
• Manage the performance of Legal Assistants and make recommendations to the Director of Legal Assistants regarding performance issues, coaching needs, and any appropriate disciplinary action.
• Coordinate with internal legal teams and relevant stakeholders to ensure efficient case handling.
• Staff requests from attorneys and Legal Assistants for long-term and short-term assignments. Check-in regularly with attorney teams to ensure that their needs are being met.
• Serve as a resource f or attorneys across all offices on matters related to Legal Assistants and client support.
• Review and approve hourly/contract legal assistant clerk/contract attorney timesheets as needed
• Monitor diary submissions of Legal Assistants for accuracy and timeliness of submission.
• Review, approve, monitor and analyze legal assistant overtime reports.
• Design and present seminars and training materials for Legal Assistants to maintain and update skills.
• Guide and educate Associates on the effective and appropriate use of Legal Assistant support.
• Evaluate and identify technology requirements to support litigation-related activities.
• Assess and recommend technology improvements to enhance the efficiency and quality of Legal Assistants' work product.
• Monitor and enforce ethical screens/inclusionary screens relating to Legal Assistant staffing.
• Participate in the evaluation process and goal setting of Legal Assistants. Make compensation recommendations.
• Liaise with the Practice Technology group and litigation service providers regarding products, services and technology resources.
• Participate in weekly conference calls and bi-weekly workshop with Managers and Director of Legal Assistants.
• Attend educational sessions relating to the practice groups and HR topics.
• Perform client billable work as needed/requested.
• Manage special requests, including translations services, court reporters and retrieval and legalization of documents.
• Assist with the planning and organizing of Legal Assistant functions. Participate in yearly Legal Assistant management teambuilding and planning session.
• Participate in local professional association focusing on Legal Assistant education and management

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years as a Legal Assistant Manager
• College degree from four-year college or university.
• Previous experience as a Litigation Legal Assistant and 3-5 years as a Legal Assistant Manager.
• Superior presentation, writing, and oral communication skills.
• Outstanding relationship-building skills and personable approach.
• Ability to handle, prioritize, and complete assignments with competing deadlines.
• Ability to leverage resources, shepherd multiple incoming data points and deliver a quality final product with minimal oversight.
• Highly detail-oriented and accurate.
• Self-motivated, flexible, and organized.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Able to interact effectively and professionally with lawyers, legal assistants and support staff.
• Demonstrated experience in compensation practices, resume screening, and conducting interviews.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions and data analysis tools.

New York Compensation Range: $129,600 - $194,400

#LI-DNI

This role reports to

Director of Legal Assistants

Equal Opportunities

White & Case is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm's policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact [e-mail].

Benefits at White & Case

White & Case LLP offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, 401(k) retirement savings, vacation time, and leave programs (including parental leave). Exempt roles are also performance bonus eligible.

The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

Note to Recruitment Agencies

Our internal Recruitment team manages all aspects of lateral hiring. All agencies must have signed terms of business-specific to the relevant office-before submitting any candidates. CVs or applications sent directly to White & Case partners or employees will also not be considered formal introductions. If you have questions, please contact the relevant Recruitment team. We work with our preferred suppliers when engaging agencies.