Practice Group Manager - Litigation

Sidley Austin LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 185,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Benefits program

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP is seeking a Practice Group Manager – Litigation to serve as the primary administrative manager for the Global Litigation Practice Group (GPG), partnering with Global Practice Leaders, office leadership, and key administrative departments to advance strategic objectives across offices.

The PGM will drive efficiency, reporting, budgeting, and talent development, coordinating with Marketing, Knowledge Management and Revenue teams to provide a holistic view of the Litigation

Qualifications

• J.D. required with 5–7 years of legal practice or comparable law firm management experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and scheduling tools.
• Strong ability to handle complexity, negotiate, and manage client service.

Responsibilities

• Partner with office chairs and managers to promote consistency across offices.
• Foster collaboration among Global Practice Leaders and administrative teams.
• Create holistic reporting with Marketing, KM and Revenue leads.
• Develop and implement strategic business plans and objectives.
• Analyze metrics and dashboards to drive improvements in Litigation.
• Serve as liaison between GPG and firm departments for initiatives.
• Partner with leadership to develop budgets.
• Create materials for internal meetings and annual partner events.
• Coordinate hiring needs and onboarding with Legal Recruiting.
• Develop partner/counsel promotion candidate materials.
• Monitor staffing trends and optimize resource allocation.
• Address billing, time entry, and other practice group issues.
• Identify best practices for consistent, excellent service across offices.

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

5–7 years legal practice or law firm management experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Resource Management/Scheduling Tools

Job description

In this role, the Practice Group Manager – Litigation (PGM) will serve as the primary administrative manager for the Global Litigation Practice Group (GPG), partnering with the Global Practice Leaders, office litigation leadership, and key administrative departments to advance the practice group's strategic, operational, and lawyer talent objectives across offices.

The PGM will identify opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency, and collaboration across the practice while coordinating with Practice Area Teams (PATs), office litigation leadership, and functional departments to implement firmwide and practice group initiatives.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Partner with office litigation chairs and local litigation practice managers (where applicable) to promote consistency across offices while recognizing local market needs and operational requirements.
• Foster communication and collaboration among Global Practice Leaders, Practice Area Teams, office litigation leadership, and administrative departments to support firmwide Litigation priorities.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Knowledge Management and Revenue Management Litigation leads to create customized reporting that provides a holistic view of the Litigation practice for the Global Practice Leaders (GPLs).
• Work with the GPLs to create and implement a strategic business plan and strategic objectives; stay abreast of industry trends to help inform and augment those strategic priorities.
• Work with the Strategic Group to analyze practice group metrics and dashboards, productivity reports, and other management reporting to identify trends, inform strategic decision-making, and drive operational improvements across the Litigation practice.
• Serve as the primary administrative liaison between the Global Litigation Practice Group, office litigation leadership, and the Firm's functional departments to coordinate strategic initiatives, operational priorities, and cross-practice projects.
• Partner with Litigation leadership to develop and manage budgets.
• Develop content, identify speakers, and create materials for internal Litigation GPG-wide and leadership meetings, including the Annual Partner Meeting Litigation sessions.
• Work with Partners and Legal Recruiting team to define and communicate the hiring needs of the practice group and to facilitate lateral hiring and onboarding (including returning judicial clerks).
• Work with Litigation leadership to develop a potential partner and counsel promotion candidate list, partner and counsel candidate memos, and candidate business plans.
• Monitor and analyze associate productivity and staffing trends across offices, partnering with office litigation leadership and staffing personnel to evaluate staffing models, optimize lawyer development opportunities, facilitate cross-office staffing, and ensure appropriate resource allocation.
• Monitor, follow-up on and elevate (as needed) practice group-related issues ranging from strategic to day-to-day matters, such as billing, time entry, etc.
• Identify, recommend, and implement best practices that promote consistency, operational excellence, and efficient delivery of Litigation administrative services across offices.

Required

Education and/or Experience:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a minimum of five to seven years of legal practice or comparable law firm management experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, Power Point, Resource Management/Scheduling Tools, and other related applications.
• Strong presence in the face of complexity and time-constrained challenges.
• Proficient at negotiating and managing conflict.
• Proven client service focus, with an ability to resolve issues quickly and a sense of urgency.
• Flexible in adapting to constantly changing priorities.

Preferred

• Prior experience in staffing, professional development or practice support.

Other Skills And Abilities

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• 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

$185,000 - $260,000 if located in New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, or Washington, D.C.

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.

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.