Practice Group Manager - NY Litigation

Sidley Austin LLP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 185,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP in New York seeks a Practice Group Manager for the NY Litigation group to support leadership, manage associate development, and drive the delivery of strategic initiatives. The role emphasizes administering meetings, mentoring, staffing planning, performance reviews, onboarding, and rubrics for career progression, while balancing workloads across offices and safeguarding confidentiality.

Strong collaboration with partners and a talent-driven mindset is essential to advancing

Qualifications

• J.D. and at least four years practice experience, preferably at a peer law firm.
• Proficient in Litigation practice terminology and concepts.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Resource Management/Scheduling Tools, Excel 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the NYLPG through organization of practice group meetings and development and management of communications, agendas, and presentation materials.
• Work with the relevant departments and practice groups, to help identify, design and implement process improvements.
• In coordination with the relevant departments and practice groups, support strategic firmwide/Global Practice Group (GPG)/NYLPG/cross-practice initiatives and special projects.
• Function as a liaison for other administrative departments and existing resources, i.e., Learning & Development; Knowledge Management; Marketing and Business Development; Accounting, etc., by providing information, data, and key metrics that will assist in identifying and then guiding firmwide, GPG and NYLPG-specific initiatives.
• Provide a needs assessments for lateral and first-year associate new hires for the NYLPG in coordination with Legal Recruiting annual hiring targets and be a key resource in the onboarding and integration process for the group.
• Help develop rubrics for skill development and different career steps, and assist with the oversight of progress toward such development by NYLPG associates.
• Act as a liaison and advocate to facilitate workflow and evaluate associate capacity and skill development needs for staffing purposes. Implement a hands-on and collaborative approach across a complex scope of associate and partner needs, balancing workloads, sourcing work across offices and maximizing available resources, while taking into consideration skills required and helping establish plans for building those skills.
• Collaborate with the NYLPG Head, Staffing Partner(s), and other members of the leadership team, as well as the PGD, in overseeing attorney performance appraisals and annual compensation adjustment processes, including review of appraisal forms, guiding partner discussions of evaluation messages, submission of counsel promotions, soliciting partner input on recommended compensation adjustments and ensuring consistency across the group. Utilize knowledge derived as a result of the associate evaluation process to focus on and address performance concerns.
• Support NYLPG in review and development of presentation memorandum for internal partnership candidates.
• Work with the PGD, NYLPG, Learning & Development and relevant partners to help identify, design and plan practice group-specific training programs.
• Help support the mentoring program for the NYLPG and plan and implement attorney satisfaction and retention initiatives.

Skills

J.D. degree

4+ years litigation experience

Litigation terminology

Microsoft Office

Scheduling tools

Negotiation

Client service

Adaptability

Education

J.D. degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Scheduling tools

Resource Management

Job description

The Practice Group Manager – NY Litigation (PGM) will report both to the New York Litigation Practice Group (NYLPG) Head and Practice Group Director - Litigation (PGD). The PGM will provide high level administrative support to the NYLPG, Staffing Partner(s), and other members of the leadership team, as well as the PGD, helping facilitate the NYLPG’s day-to-day administrative activity and achieve its longer-term objectives. The PGM also will play a critical role in the development of attorneys in the NYLPG and the management of the attorney talent pool. The PGM will be a foundational team member who helps design and implement rubrics, frameworks and processes at each stage of the “associate lifecycle” to help further career and professional development goals for its attorneys.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative support to the NYLPG through organization of practice group meetings and development and management of communications, agendas, and presentation materials.

• Work with the relevant departments and practice groups, to help identify, design and implement process improvements.

• In coordination with the relevant departments and practice groups, support strategic firmwide/Global Practice Group (GPG)/NYLPG/cross-practice initiatives and special projects.

• Function as a liaison for other administrative departments and existing resources, i.e. Learning & Development; Knowledge Management; Marketing and Business Development; Accounting, etc., by providing information, data, and key metrics that will assist in identifying and then guiding firmwide, GPG and NYLPG-specific initiatives.

• Provide a needs assessments for lateral and first-year associate new hires for the NYLPG in coordination with Legal Recruiting annual hiring targets and be a key resource in the onboarding and integration process for the group.

• Help develop rubrics for skill development and different career steps, and assist with the oversight of progress toward such development by NYLPG associates.

• Act as a liaison and advocate to facilitate workflow and evaluate associate capacity and skill development needs for staffing purposes. Implement a hands-on and collaborative approach across a complex scope of associate and partner needs, balancing workloads, sourcing work across offices and maximizing available resources, while taking into consideration skills required and helping establish plans for building those skills.

• Collaborate with the NYLPG Head, Staffing Partner(s), and other members of the leadership team, as well as the PGD, in overseeing attorney performance appraisals and annual compensation adjustment processes, including review of appraisal forms, guiding partner discussions of evaluation messages, submission of counsel promotions, soliciting partner input on recommended compensation adjustments and ensuring consistency across the group. Utilize knowledge derived as a result of the associate evaluation process to focus on and address performance concerns.

• Support NYLPG in review and development of presentation memorandum for internal partnership candidates.

• Work with the PGD, NYLPG, Learning & Development and relevant partners to help identify, design and plan practice group-specific training programs.

• Help support the mentoring program for the NYLPG and plan and implement attorney satisfaction and retention initiatives.

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• J.D. and at least four years practice experience, preferably practicing at a peer law firm.

• Proficient in Litigation practice terminology and concepts.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Resource Management/Scheduling Tools, Excel 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

#LI-KG1

The target salary range for this role is:

$185,000 - $260,000 if located in New York

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.