Practice Manager

Arnold & Porter; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Arnold & Porter is looking for a strategic Practice Manager to join their Innovation and Practice Management Department in Washington, DC. In this role, you'll partner with Practice Leaders to optimize operations and innovate across practice groups such as Labor & Employment, Environmental, and Privacy.

You will develop internal communications, monitor attorney efficiency, and collaborate with departments like Finance and Legal Technology to drive success. The anticipated salary for this position ranges from $130,000 to $175,000.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree or J.D. preferred.
• Experience in law firm management or professional services.
• Experience supporting legal practices; transactional law experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Practice Group Leaders to develop strategic initiatives.
• Monitor workload distribution and assess resource needs.
• Facilitate communication across attorneys and administrative teams.

Skills

Financial analysis

Project management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree or J.D.

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

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

Strategic Practice Leadership

• 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

• 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.

Compensation

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.

Arnold & Porter is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy and childbirth (including breastfeeding and related medical conditions), age, marital or partnership status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family leave status, citizenship status, immigration status, ancestry, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations. Our Firm's equal opportunity policy applies to all employment practices and terms and conditions, including, without limitation, recruitment, employment, assignment, training, compensation, benefits, promotions, disciplinary action and terminations. For purposes of the firm's Anti‑discrimination and Anti‑harassment Policies, the term "race" includes, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks, and twists.