Practice Manager

AMA Detroit; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Arnold & Porter is seeking a strategic, collaborative Practice Manager to join the Innovation and Practice Management Department in Washington, DC. You will partner with Practice Group Leaders and collaborate across the firm to drive operational excellence for Labor & Employment, Environmental, and Privacy practices.

The role offers the chance to influence strategy, optimize operations, and support growth across three dynamic practices, including staffing, matter management, and client-focused

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or J.D. preferred.
• Experience in law firm management, professional services operations, or related leadership role.
• Experience supporting legal practices; transactional law experience is a plus.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Practice Group Leaders to develop and execute strategic and operational initiatives.
• Serve as a key advisor on practice activity, trends, and operational priorities.
• Identify opportunities to improve attorney efficiency, matter management, and resource utilization.
• Develop internal communications and messaging to support practice engagement and alignment.
• Advance innovation initiatives and client-focused solutions across the practices.

Skills

Financial analysis

Project management

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or J.D. preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Arnold & Porter is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and results-driven Practice Manager to join our Innovation and Practice Management Department in Washington, DC.

In this highly visible role, you will partner closely with Practice Group Leaders and collaborate across the firm, including Legal Talent, Business Development, Finance, Legal Technology, and Firm Administration, to drive operational excellence across our Labor & Employment, Environmental, and Privacy Practice Groups. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence strategy, optimize practice operations, and support the continued growth and success of three dynamic practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Practice Group Leaders to develop and execute strategic and operational initiatives.
• Serve as a key advisor on practice activity, trends, and operational priorities.
• Identify opportunities to improve attorney efficiency, matter management, and resource utilization.
• Develop internal communications and messaging to support practice engagement and alignment.
• Advance innovation initiatives and client-focused solutions across the practices.

Resource & Talent Management

• Monitor matter activity, workload distribution, and attorney capacity to support effective staffing decisions.
• Assess resource needs and prepare analyses to support recruiting and growth initiatives.
• Collaborate with Legal Personnel and practice leadership on attorney-related matters.
• Support equitable and strategic allocation of billable work.

Practice Operations & Communications

• Develop agendas, presentations, and materials for practice group meetings.
• Facilitate regular communication and information sharing across attorneys and administrative teams.
• Ensure practice leaders have the information and insights needed to make informed business decisions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Serve as a key liaison between the practice groups and firm administrative teams, including:

• Finance: Analyze financial performance and identify reporting and business intelligence needs.
• Business Development: Support growth initiatives, client opportunities, and successful lateral integration.
• Talent Development: Partner on associate development, mentoring, evaluations, promotions, training, and retention strategies.
• Legal Technology: Identify and implement innovative tools and processes that enhance collaboration, productivity, and matter management.
• Act as a trusted advisor and resource to attorneys at all levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or J.D. preferred.
• Experience in law firm management, professional services operations, or a related leadership role.
• Experience supporting legal practices; transactional law experience is a plus.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong financial, analytical, and project management capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across offices and practice groups.
• Proven ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with attorneys and business professionals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality work product.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $130,000-$175,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

For benefits information, please visit: https://www.arnoldporter.com/en/careers/professional-staff/benefits

The firm may provide a discretionary bonus annually.