Practice Manager – IP Department & IP Litigation Practice Group

WilmerHale; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 154,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Hybrid Schedule

Job summary

WilmerHale in Boston seeks an operationally minded Practice Manager for the Intellectual Property Department and IP Litigation Practice Group to oversee day-to-day operations across offices and match attorneys to assignments, while supporting their development and firm workflows.

The role manages IP Paralegals and Technology Specialists, partners with leadership, and drives staffing, training, reporting, and strategic initiatives in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Five+ years in a professional services or legal environment preferred.
• Minimum of three years experience managing people.
• Bachelor’s Degree required.

Responsibilities

• Work Allocation & Attorney Development: staffing for IP attorneys and matching assignments.
• Training & Professional Development: onboarding and formal programs for attorneys.
• Department Strategy & Reporting: monthly productivity reports and strategic projects.
• Operational & Administrative Support: meeting planning and logistics.
• Business Development & Marketing: pitches, RFPs, and events coordination.
• Technology Specialist Program: oversee program and workload reviews.
• Paralegal Management: lead IP Paralegal groups and performance reviews.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Project & Organizational Skills

Problem Solving & Initiative

Communication

Judgment & Discretion

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 12 offices in the United States and Europe. Our lawyers work at the intersection of government, technology and business, and we remain committed to our guiding principles of providing quality, excellent legal and client services; developing diversity among our lawyers and staff and cultivating an environment that promotes an ambitious spirit, collaboration and collegiality by drawing on the extraordinary talents and dynamic experience of our lawyers. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we practice.

About the Role

Are you an operationally minded people leader who enjoys connecting talented attorneys with meaningful work and helping a sophisticated practice run smoothly? As Practice Manager for the Intellectual Property Department and IP Litigation Practice Group, you’ll oversee day-to-day operations across assigned offices, with a particular focus on matching attorneys to the right assignments, advancing their development, and strengthening the relationships that hold a busy practice together. Additionally, you will be responsible for directly managing IP Paralegals and Technology Specialists.

Working in close partnership with Department and Practice Group leadership, Legal Personnel, and the broader Practice Management team, you’ll serve as a central point of coordination across the firm’s legal and administrative functions. The role requires sound judgment, discretion, and a steady hand in supporting attorneys, paralegals, and technology specialists alike.

What You Will Be Doing

• Work Allocation & Attorney Development: Manage billable and pro bono staffing for IP Department and IP Litigation attorneys across assigned offices, partnering with Practice Management to balance cross-office demand. Match assignments to each attorney’s experience level and growth goals, spanning counsel, senior associates, and associates. Reassign matters during attorney absences and assist with administration of extended leave policies to keep client work moving without disruption.
• Training & Professional Development: Collaborate with the Development and Training team and practice leaders to support onboarding and orientation for junior associates and lateral hires as well as design and deliver formal programs for counsel, senior associates, and associates.
• Department Strategy & Reporting: Help execute Department and Practice Group strategic plans, prepare monthly productivity reporting for Department Leaders, Practice Group Leaders, and the Chief Practice Management Officer, and lead special projects assigned by the IP Department Director.
• Operational & Administrative Support: Provide hands-on support to IP Department and IP Litigation leadership in assigned offices, including meeting planning, retreat logistics, follow-through on firmwide initiatives, and other duties as needed.
• Business Development & Marketing: Contribute to pitches, RFPs, CLE programming, lateral partner integration, and department events, and help coordinate activities involving department members.
• Technology Specialist Program: Oversee the Technology Specialist Program, assigning work that supports professional growth, reassigning projects during leaves, and holding regular check-ins to review workload and resolve administrative issues.
• Paralegal Management: Lead assigned IP Paralegal group(s) and, in partnership with the IP Department Director and Human Resources, own performance management for the team. This includes completing performance reviews on schedule, addressing performance concerns and policy issues (including time entry and in-office work policies), and conducting regular check-ins. Promote cross-office collaboration and staffing flexibility, and ensure team goals are met efficiently.

Required Skills

What You Will Bring to This Position

• Interpersonal Skills: A collaborative style that works equally well with attorneys, staff, and peer administrators.
• Project & Organizational Skills: Strong ability to plan, prioritize, and juggle a broad mix of responsibilities at once.
• Problem Solving & Initiative: Comfort identifying issues, developing solutions, and working independently under deadline pressure.
• Communication: Clear, polished written and verbal communication skills.
• Judgment & Discretion: A track record of handling sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism.

Required Experience

• At least five years in a professional services or legal environment preferred, including a minimum of three years experience managing people.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.

Why Join Us?

• A values-driven firm that fosters collaboration and respect
• The hiring range for this position is $153,600 – $192,000 annually, with final compensation based on experience, qualifications and internal equity.
• This position is eligible for a Hybrid Schedule
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match and profit-sharing options
• Paid time off and holidays

Our Commitment

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting employment discrimination. It is our policy to take all employment actions and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, disability, military status, status as a disabled or other protected veteran, or any other protected status under applicable law. WilmerHale will make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and otherwise as required by applicable law.

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This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees in the position. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills for positions. The firm reserves the right at all times, in its sole discretion, to add or subtract duties and responsibilities, as it deems necessary.