Director of Practice Management

Ballard Spahr LLP • Philadelphia, PA

121d

About The Position

Ballard Spahr is a renowned national law firm with more than 750 lawyers across 18 offices in the United States. A career at Ballard Spahr offers a diverse group of mentors, colleagues, and friends, and strong leadership that provides support and encouragement for career growth. We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, and collaborative Director of Practice Management (DPM) who will leverage their strong business acumen to drive revenue growth and ensure sustained financial health for our Intellectual Property Department. This high-impact leadership position partners with the Chief Practice Management Officer and department leadership to advance operations, align strategic goals, and deliver exceptional support for all IP lawyers and legal teams. This position is hybrid and offers a work schedule of 3 days a week on-site in our Philadelphia or Atlanta office.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of law firm experience are required; an advanced degree in law or business is a plus.
• Prior experience in intellectual property practice management, including familiarity with patent and trademark practice (including prosecution and litigation) and patent and trademark prosecution deadlines and systems, is required.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and organizational abilities.
• Thorough understanding of the legal industry and law firm management.
• Strong financial literacy, including experience with budgeting, profitability analysis, and strategies to improve revenue performance and profitability.
• Excellent interpersonal skills—including negotiation expertise, confidence, and professionalism at all levels.
• Proficiency with technology and experience designing or implementing new processes.
• Willingness to travel for office visits, events, or professional programs as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in law or business.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing daily business operations including financial health, internal organization, business development, practice expansion/recruitment, fee earner supervision & training.
• Working with Department Chair to drive regular meetings of the Department’s senior members, lawyers, and Practice Group Leaders by setting strategic agendas that focus and advance productivity, staffing, financial performance, business development, and collaboration across offices.
• Supporting the creation/implementation of the practice groups’ business and marketing plans.
• Overseeing the Department approval process of all new matters in conjunction with the new matter intake process.
• Managing the onboarding and offboarding processes for lawyers and business professionals.
• Monitoring financial performance by reviewing financial reports/dashboards; managing non-billable expenses; and contributing to quarterly collection committees.
• Overseeing docketing professional teams, with a focus on accuracy and process and system improvement.
• Ensuring paraprofessionals receive appropriate supervision, along with continuous meaningful training and engagement.
• Organizing agendas and programming for department meetings, including quarterly partner financial updates, all-fee earner sessions, monthly associate and attorney meetings, sessions for other lawyer classifications and planning and executing content for in-person events such as the Annual Meeting and Firm Seminar.
• Conducting annual visits to each Ballard office with department presence; meeting individually with local Matter Billing Lawyers regarding metrics/business development.
• Engaging Office Managing Partners and Directors on recruiting, staffing, productivity and other local matters as needed.
• Collaborating with the Marketing and Business Development team and providing support for business plans and departmental goals, ensuring alignment with the budget, and reviewing and approving expenses.
• Staying abreast of developments in legal technology and AI and integrate innovative tools into the Department’s operations to enhance efficiency, profitability, and client value.
• Implementing technology and process improvements specific to IP practice management.
• Developing strategies with the Pricing and Profitability team for client arrangements.
• Collaborating with Attorney Career Advancement (ACA) for salary adjustments and bonuses and setting appropriate training curriculum for lawyers.
• Participating in recruiting and integration programs for lateral, promoted partners and counsel and lateral and entry-level associates; and identifying hiring lateral strategies by working closely with Department Leadership and recruiting teams.

Benefits

• Continuous learning opportunities and avenues for career growth.
• Participation in a Business Resource Group.
• Innovative work environment with substantial support from executive leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees