Practice Manager, Finance

Orrick Herrington & Suttcliffe; Wheeling (WV); Hybrid; USD 137,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Orrick seeks a Finance Practice Manager to lead associate staffing, utilization, and development across the U.S. In this hybrid role, you will partner with the Chief Practice Officer and firm leadership to drive profitability and align resources with client needs.

You will leverage data, metrics, and collaboration with Talent and Finance teams to optimize matters, support practice administration, and integrate new associates and counsel into the practice.

Qualifications

• Law firm or corporate legal environment experience preferred with strong governance.
• Excellent project management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Strong collaboration across partners, associates and professionals at all levels.
• Ability to operate in a matrix environment with cross-department teams.
• Sound judgment, discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
• Proficient use of technology and data systems, including MS Office and financial tools.
• JD preferred; MBA or equivalent industry experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Oversee associate staffing, utilization, and development for the U.S. Finance Practice.
• Partner with Chief Practice Officer and leaders to optimize staffing and profitability.
• Monitor metrics and allocate matters to achieve client needs and firm goals.
• Support practice administration and coordination with Talent and Finance teams.
• Drive collaboration with innovation and service centers to maximize impact.

Job description

Overview

Orrick currently has an excellent opportunity for a Practice Manager for our Finance Business Unit who is ready to be challenged and build a career within an AmLaw Top 50 law firm. This position could be based in any of our US locations. This is a hybrid position with the expectation of being in the office at least 3 days a week, and subject to change based on business needs.

What Will You Do?

You will report to the Chief Practice Officer for the Finance Business Unit and work closely with the Chief Practice Officer, Firm leadership and other business professionals to accomplish the strategic, financial, talent, and operational objectives of the practice and to support the Firm's shared client service, collaboration, and innovation goals by overseeing and actively managing associate and of counsel utilization, addressing resource demands, adhering to financial management best practices, and enhancing profitability. The Finance Practice Manager will be primarily responsible for managing associate staffing in the U.S. and associate utilization and professional development globally. The successful Practice Manager will apply an in-depth understanding of the client service needs, staffing requirements, pricing arrangements, deal and inventory life cycles, and key financial metrics to making sound judgements and minimizing the administrative burden on practice leaders and partners. The Practice Manager will be part of a growing practice management team within our firm.

Responsibilities

The Practice Manager of Finance will have primary responsibility for all associate-related matters, particularly in the U.S.

• Professional Development, Staffing and Utilization
  • Connect with associates to level-set on professional development goals, perceived skills gaps, and socialize the Practice Manager role as a firm resource for the Business Unit's non-partner attorneys.
  • Assist associates with identifying training resources and tools to support their client work and professional development.
  • Monitor professional development of U.S. associates and help allocate new matters in a manner which ensures an equitable distribution of assignments consistent with the clients' needs and the attorneys' individual professional development goals.
  • In coordination with the partners and Chief Practice Officer, drive practice group utilization and manage the work allocation process for U.S. associates in the Finance Business Unit.
  • Track, aggregate and analyze associate metrics, including availability information and utilization rates. Partner with the Chief Practice Officer and associates to ensure that individual goals relating to productivity are achieved and practice group productivity is optimized.
  • Support staffing requests from partners, as needed.
  • Coordinate with Chief Practice Offer and Practice Group Leaders to identify staffing needs and hiring targets; partner with the Talent and Finance teams to ensure hiring efforts are supporting the goals and needs of the group and supporting firm profitability targets.
  • Collaborate with Chief Practice Officer, Practice Group Leaders and Talent to coordinate substantive training for associates.
  • Collaborate with the Talent team and the Chief Practice Officer to address associates who may be having specific challenges so that appropriate mentoring, training, and other actions can be taken to address such challenges in a timely manner.
  • Manage the associate/partner mentor assignments and discuss same with associates.
  • Facilitate practice group integration of new associates and of counsel.
  • Collaborate with the innovation team to assign the right resource to the right task including leveraging career associates, Service Center, Williams Lea, automation, paralegals, CaseStream and Orrick Analytics to maximize impact on client matters.

The Practice Manager may also assist the Chief Practice Officer with certain Practice Administration tasks.

• Practice Administration
  • Cultivate relationship with practice group leader(s) to build practice group connectivity, rapport, and trust.
  • Initiate ideas for improving profitability of matters, including the efficient allocation of internal resources and staff across client matters & group initiatives.
  • Approve specific expense reimbursement requests, non-billable travel, write offs and similar administrative tasks in accordance with firm policies.
  • Research, compile data and perform business and financial analysis related to practice group strategic initiatives and projects.
  • Provide ad hoc financial analysis (profitability, billing, collections, time entry, utilization, etc.).
  • Coordinate with records team and relevant timekeepers to facilitate associate exit procedures.
  • Collaborate with and support practice leaders on practice group communications.

Qualifications

• Strong preference for an individual who has practiced law for at least 5 years in a large law firm or corporate legal department. Significant experience working in Finance areas preferred. Additional experience in a practice management role at a law firm or professional services firm preferred.
• Excellent project management, prioritization, attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with teams of partners, associates and other professionals at all levels.
• Ability to work efficiently in a matrix environment, which requires frequent collaboration with cross-department teams.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to be discreet and treat confidential information appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use technology, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software at an advanced level.
• Ability to deliver strong customer service, commit to meeting deadlines, and multitask in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Exceptional problem solving and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office and financial and data information systems.
• J.D. preferred; MBA or equivalent industry experience considered.

Who is Orrick?

Orrick is a global law firm focused on delivering innovative solutions for four sectors: Technology & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure, Finance and Life Sciences & HealthTech. Founded more than 150 years ago in San Francisco, Orrick today has offices in 25+ markets. We are recognized globally for delivering the highest-quality legal advice and for our culture of innovation and collaboration.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is:

• New York City, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco $162,000 - $260,000
• Washington DC, Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Monica, Sacramento, Boston, and Seattle $162,000 - $250,000
• All Other US Locations $137,000 - $240,000

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography. Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance.

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well-being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short- and long-term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits, health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program. This role will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program and paid holidays.

Please visit www.orrick.com for more information about the firm.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.