Paralegal Senior Manager

Sidley Austin LLP (IL LLP); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 175,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago seeks a Paralegal Senior Manager to lead the Chicago paralegal and project assistant department. You will oversee staffing, onboarding, performance, and compensation, collaborating with HR and practice group heads to meet firm-wide standards.

You will drive recruiting, onboarding, and staff development, ensuring high performance and client service across ~500 lawyers. This role requires strong leadership and strategic planning in a demanding environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10 years of experience in professional services or related field.
• 5 years managing at least 15 direct/indirect reports.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to quickly connect with various levels of stakeholders.
• Ability to build trust and gain buy-in from firm leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership and management of the Chicago paralegal and project assistant department, including supervision of staff.
• Partner with managers in other offices to promote consistent policies and practices.
• Develop departmental plans to address resource and operational challenges.
• Build relationships with lawyers, paralegals, project assistants, and HR to solve problems.
• Promote a unified, collaborative team across practice groups.
• Develop staffing strategies with department leadership to address talent needs.
• Recruit, interview, and select staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Relationship building

Organization

Attention to detail

Judgment

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Work under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Legal services technologies

Job description

Under the direction of the Litigation and Practice Support Director, the Chicago office Paralegal Senior Manager is responsible for leading and maintaining a high-performing department that includes Paralegals and Project Assistants supporting approximately 500 lawyers. The Manager oversees performance, productivity, employee relations, and workflow across the department, and works closely with peer managers in other offices to ensure consistent standards firm-wide. This individual leads the annual performance management and compensation process, forecasts staffing needs, directs recruiting efforts, and interprets and applies firm policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership and management of the Chicago paralegal and project assistant department, including direct supervision of the paralegal supervisor and oversight of paralegal and project assistant staff.
• Partner with paralegal and project assistant managers in other offices to promote consistent policies, standards, and practices firm-wide while addressing the specific needs of the Chicago office.
• Research, develop, and adapt departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges.
• Build strong relationships with firm lawyers, paralegals, project assistants, firm administration, and fellow managers, establishing a reputation as a key problem solver.
• Promote and maintain a unified, collaborative team across practice groups through regular communication and meetings.
• Partner with department leadership, practice group heads, and Human Resources to develop staffing strategies that address current and future talent needs.
• Participate in the recruiting, interviewing, and selection of paralegal and project assistant staff.
• Manage new hire onboarding, integration, and the overall employee experience.
• Manage the onboarding and training of new Project Assistant classes, as well as the ongoing Project Assistant "Brown Bag Lunch" Series.
• Assess the department's training and continuing education needs and support firm-wide initiatives that increase paralegal and project assistant efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage the performance management and compensation process, including obtaining lawyer feedback, writing annual appraisals, making compensation recommendations, and conducting performance review meetings.
• Counsel staff on employee relations issues, resolve conflicts, facilitate performance improvement plans, and coach and develop high performers, including the paralegal supervisor.
• Monitor lawyer feedback, staff productivity, and morale to drive high performance; recommend engagement and recognition initiatives to firm leadership.
• Manage paralegal and project assistant-driven technology programs, including Graphics Support; Trial, Hearing & Arbitration support; and specialty practice applications.
• Monitor paralegal and project assistant utilization and productivity by preparing monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual reports of hours to support workflow coordination and resource allocation.
• Track progress toward billable-hour and utilization targets, and work with firm lawyers, paralegals, and project assistants to balance workloads across the Chicago office.
• Oversee timekeeping, time-and-attendance records, and related departmental reporting, ensuring compliance with firm policies and wage-and-hour requirements.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• 10 years experience in professional services or related field
• 5 years experience managing at least 15 direct/indirect reports
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
• Ability to quickly connect with various levels of stakeholders
• Ability to build trust and gain buy-in from firm leadership

Preferred

• Experience working in the legal industry
• Experience with legal services technologies

Other Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

The target salary range for this role is: $175,000 - $250,000 if located in Illinois. Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [e-mail] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Sidley is an elite global law firm with a known reputation of deploying innovative strategies to achieve powerful results. Business professionals are essential to the firm’s ability to deliver the highest quality legal services to our clients. We are always looking for talented, motivated individuals who thrive in a performance-driven culture to join our team. We encourage you to explore current openings and check back for future opportunities that align with your skills, experience, and career goals.