Corporate Practice Manager

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP•New York, NY

8d•$130,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Corporate Practice Manager in the Practice Management department, reporting to the Director of Practice Management - Corporate. This role will reside in the New York office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for the execution of the business needs and internal operations of the practice group across multiple offices, with a strong emphasis on its strategy, performance objectives, work allocation and professional development. The Practice Manager is expected to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys, advisors and staff, and maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, JD or MBA preferred
5 + years of related practice support and experience in a law firm environment including at least 3 years of people or project management responsibility
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to synthesize information and communicate effectively with attorneys and business services colleagues at all levels and ability to communicate persuasively, on a prepared and extemporaneous basis
Demonstrated executive presence, with gravitas to manage partner meetings
Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving, and project management capabilities
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, multiple projects and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment, both independently and as a member of a team
Excellent interpersonal skills and sensitivity to the complexities of a partnership and multi- office global practice group
Understanding of law firm economics, practice operations and performance metrics, with the ability to analyze financial data, draw accurate conclusions and make appropriate recommendations for future courses of action
Ability to develop effective working relationships at all levels and anticipate needs of partners and senior leadership
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint)
Proficiency in or ability to learn how to use Generative AI tools to enhance operational workflows, with the willingness to learn new software, systems and applications
Strong client service orientation, work ethic and attention to detail
Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and professional development, with the ability to incorporate feedback to improve performance
Demonstrated poise and professional maturity when interacting with colleagues, attorneys and outside business contacts
Good judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential information
Commitment to the Firm’s Core Values

Nice To Haves

JD or MBA preferred

Responsibilities

Support staffing partners in attorney staffing and workload management, including monitoring utilization, availability and workloads. Communicate regularly with staffing partners and associates. Proactively identify and develop solutions for productivity issues and staffing challenges.
Work with the Director to manage annual attorney evaluation and compensation processes, including reviewing written evaluations, guiding partner discussions of evaluation messages, soliciting partner input on compensation adjustments and ensuring consistency across the Corporate practice group. Leverage knowledge acquired through processes to identify issues and establish solutions.
Collaborate with partners, Attorney Development and Knowledge Management to plan substantive training programs for Corporate practice group attorneys.
Track pipeline of promotion candidates. Support Practice Leaders in internal review and presentation of candidates to firm management.
Work with Talent Development and Human Resources on initiatives related to morale, engagement and retention.
Work with Attorney Recruiting, Attorney Development and Human Resources personnel on lateral recruiting, onboarding and integration.
Liaise between the Director and Practice Leaders with firm management and other professional departments to help identify, develop and drive firm initiatives. Integrate firm-wide goals into practice group initiatives.
Work with the Director, Practice Leaders and other relevant business service professionals to develop the group’s strategy and performance objectives, and lead, oversee, drive and ensure the timely execution of initiatives to support such strategy/objectives.
Work with the Director and Practice Leaders on presentation materials for Management Committee, Partnership Admissions Committee and other firm leadership as needed.
Support the Director in collections efforts, in particular with regard to mid-year and year-end processes.
Review monthly operational expenditures and escalate issues and proposed solutions to the Director.
Review financial reports provided by the Finance department to assess the Corporate practice group’s financial performance, identify key performance trends, prepare monthly reports, spot issues affecting the Corporate practice group’s performance and make recommendations to improve the same.
Work with Finance, Client Value and Practice Leaders and the Director to help develop revenue and expense budgets, review and manage expenses, confirm billing rates and provide information for strategic initiatives as needed.
Serve as a sounding board to the Director and Practice Leaders, to help minimize managerial and administrative duties. Proactively and independently identify and analyze problems, develop solutions and deliver results.
Plan and arrange ad hoc, monthly and other periodic meetings, calls and other practice events. Liaise with Marketing, Client Value and other administrative departments on updates and practice-specific communications. Support the Director, Practice Group Leader and partners on initiatives to ensure deliverables and goals are met.
Leverage AI tools in day-to-day operations and support strategic efforts to embed AI in legal practice.
Establish strong rapport and working relationships with business services personnel across different groups, as well as strong relationships with key attorneys within the practice.
Work with Risk and Compliance Services and the General Counsel’s office to assist as needed with issues related to opening new matters and conflicts clearance as well as with partner arrivals and transitions.
Collaborate with Business Development to drive practice initiatives and ensure practice communications align with section and firm strategy.
Work with the Director, the Business Development team and partners to develop and execute on lateral partner integration plans.
Coordinate hiring, onboarding, managing and offboarding of other timekeepers and designated Practice Management team members as needed.
Support the Director and Chief Practice & Revenue Officer in Practice Management team meetings, projects and initiatives, as needed.
Special projects as assigned by Practice Leaders and the Director.
Foster a culture of superior client service, responsiveness and collegiality.
Serve as a trusted partner to the Director and Practice Leaders by proactively anticipating needs, managing priorities, and ensuring seamless operational support.