Senior Business Development Manager – Litigation

Dinsmore; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager – Litigation to help attorneys and practice teams turn priorities into coordinated client-development activity. This role collaborates with firm leadership, attorneys, and Marketing and Business Development to bring structure, insight and momentum to growth initiatives.

The successful candidate will be a trusted adviser and hands-on project leader who builds relationships across offices and drives cross-selling and measurable

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible business development or marketing experience in professional services.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with attorneys and leaders across offices.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills; able to translate complex information into clear recommendations.
• Experience with client planning, market research, and relationship-management practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop practical business development strategy aligned with firm priorities and client needs.
• Identify opportunities within existing client relationships, prospective clients, and referral networks.
• Coordinate planning discussions and convert ideas into clear owners, timelines, and measurable objectives.
• Coordinate strategic pitches, proposals, RFP responses and presentations with relevant differentiators.
• Prepare market and competitive research to inform client planning and positioning.
• Provide coaching to attorneys for client conversations, meetings, and relationship-building.

Skills

Relationship building

Cross-functional collaboration

Presentation skills

CRM proficiency

Proposal management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, or related field

JD or MBA a plus

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM software

Proposal management software

Job description

Senior Business Development Manager – Litigation

At Dinsmore, our strength comes from our people. With more than 750 attorneys across 30+ offices nationwide, we are dedicated to building a dynamic, client-focused Firm recognized for excellence. Together we work to build a strong market profile, highlighting our capabilities to clients and attracting talented attorneys and business professionals who seek a supportive environment where they can thrive. Discover how you can grow with us at www.dinsmore.com.

Dinsmore is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager – Litigation to help attorneys and practice teams turn priorities into thoughtful, coordinated client-development activity. Working closely with firm leadership, attorneys, and colleagues across Marketing and Business Development, this manager will bring structure, insight and momentum to growth initiatives. The successful candidate will be a trusted adviser and hands‑on project leader who is curious, asks practical questions, connects people and resources, and helps teams follow through on opportunities.

Preferred locations for this position are commutable to our Chicago, Cincinnati, or Lexington offices, but other office locations will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Partner with practice group and department leaders to develop practical business development strategy with firm priorities and client needs
• Help attorneys identify and prioritize opportunities within existing client relationships, prospective clients, referral networks, and target markets
• Facilitate planning discussions and convert ideas into clear next steps, owners, timelines, and measurable objectives
• Coordinate strategic pitches, proposals, RFP responses and presentations, bringing together relevant experience, differentiators, and persuasive messaging
• Prepare market, industry, client and competitive research to inform client planning, opportunity assessment, and positioning
• Provide one‑on‑one and small‑group coaching to help attorneys prepare for client conversations, meetings, presentations, and relationship‑building activities
• Collaborate with communications, events, digital, creative, and other internal departments to align thought leadership, sponsorships, and programs with defined business objectives
• Maintain accurate opportunity and relationship information in the firm’s CRM and related systems and encourage practical adoption of shared processes
• Collaborate to develop pipeline monitoring, progress and outcomes; develop concise reports and insights that help leaders make informed decisions and refine priorities
• Build strong relationships across offices and practices, identify opportunities for cross‑selling, and connect attorneys whose capabilities can address broader client needs
• Manage multiple projects and stakeholders with sound judgment, responsiveness, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellent internal client service
• Contribute to the continued improvement of business development tools, templates, processes, and team best practices
• Perform other duties and support firmwide initiatives as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, or a related field, or an equivalent relevant experience required; JD or MBA a plus
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible business development or marketing experience; experience in a law firm or other professional‑services environment is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate effectively with attorneys, firm leaders, and business professionals across offices and functions
• Working knowledge of business development planning, pitches and proposals, client and market research, and relationship‑management practices
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, persuasive, and practical recommendations
• Sound judgment, discretion, initiative, and a client‑service mindset, with the confidence to ask thoughtful questions and guide projects toward completion
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with CRM, proposal‑management, research, or related business development systems
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative, team‑oriented environment
• Flexibility to occasionally work outside regular business hours and travel as business needs require
• Up to 180k

Equal Opportunity Employer

Notice to search agencies

Dinsmore does not accept, and will not be bound or limited by, unsolicited submissions from search agencies for attorney positions. All requests to submit a candidate for presentation must include a blind summary of the candidate without disclosing his or her identity. Requests must be directed to Jennifer Stark, Director of Recruiting and Legal Personnel, at [e-mail] . No requests may be directed to attorneys or other firm personnel. Additionally, without explicit prior approval, search agencies are prohibited from posting or advertising any of our firm’s positions and from summarizing or reproducing any of our firm’s advertisements.