Legal Project Manager

SourcePro Search • Los Angeles, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

SourcePro Search is conducting a search for Legal Project Manager for a large global law firm to be based in the New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palo Alto or Washington DC office. This role offers a high base, excellent benefits and tremendous growth opportunities within a top ranked global law firm.

Requirements

• Demonstrates expertise in LPM and legal process re-engineering techniques and tools.
• Ability to quickly comprehend and explain complex issues and practices relevant to legal project management of the engagement.
• Shows strong project management and leadership skills.
• Has experience in leading complex projects and implementing change in a global organization, as well as the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrates excellent understanding of law firm economics and financial management (e.g., pricing, budgeting).
• Displays strong analytical skills.
• Effective at closely monitoring legal spend relative to budget and proactively intervening to help the legal team deliver results to expectations and on budget.
• Communicates effectively and collaboratively at all levels.
• Diplomatic and skilled at building rapport.
• Can be relied upon to keep the legal team informed of the project status and provide input on actions that may be necessary to keep the project on track.
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to succinctly capture and convey management information in writing and in presentations.
• Seeks improvements and solutions in a proactive manner.
• Finds opportunities to save lawyers time and leverage LPM for improved service, efficiency and economics.
• Works in an agile and entrepreneurial manner.
• Exhibits a continuous improvement mindset.
• Displays strong time management skills.
• Responds quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities.
• Able to work under tight deadlines, handle multiple detailed tasks simultaneously, prioritize appropriately and delegate to others where needed.
• Has high level of comfort and skill with MS Word and Excel.
• Familiar with one or more e-billing platforms and able to spot opportunities to improve its effectiveness through process analysis and re-engineering.
• Anticipates problems and issues and exercises independent judgment to make sound, justifiable decisions.
• Takes action in solving problems while knowing when and to whom to escalate issues.
• Is a proactive, self-starter who understands the details and can integrate them into the larger, more strategic context.
• Delivers high quality, accurate and timely work product and results, and demonstrates the ability to follow through on agreed objectives.
• Takes initiative in his/her own professional development by seeking out feedback and learning new skills; continually learning and improving his/her own LPM-related expertise.
• A strong academic record, preferably of graduate level (JD or MBA preferred).
• Prior experience working with professional service firms (preferably law firms) or corporate legal departments.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving capabilities.

Nice To Haves

• PowerPoint expertise a plus.
• Litigation experienced is desirable.
• Formal legal project management qualification (e.g. PMP or equivalent) desirable.
• Familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma project/process principles
• Understanding and exposure to Agile approaches is desirable.
• Experience using process mapping/planning techniques.

Responsibilities

• Guide legal teams through the LPM process including scoping, planning, budgeting, executing and controlling the work, cost and resources on a matter.
• Contribute to the discussions of engagement management strategy, goals and related deliverables.
• Skillfully adapt LPM tools and techniques to the circumstances so that it is a help, not a hindrance, to the client and legal team.
• Work with partners, legal staff and relevant business services personnel to create and monitor scope documents, staffing plans and budgets.
• Work with the firm’s Revenue Administration staff to develop appropriate pricing structures for matters.
• Also work with lawyers and staff to develop task codes and coordinate the implementation and utilization of those codes.
• Must be able to track and analyze actual engagement time and costs against budget, and help senior lawyers proactively address expected budget variances.
• Continuously identify improvements to the LPM processes and support the change management of implementing these LPM processes.
• Coordinate regular project team meetings in consultation with the partners and/or lead associate(s).
• Develop project plan, prepare notes and follow up on action items.
• Help identify and evaluate risks within each engagement and communicate appropriately to the partner.
• Plan and track timelines, milestones and dependencies.
• Help identify new working efficiencies where appropriate and coach team accordingly.
• Support the post-engagement review process.
• Research practice area processes through discussions with fee earners and identify potential areas of improvement.
• Suggest and create reports to improve transparency to both the legal team and, potentially to the client at the partner’s direction.
• Contribute to discussion about lessons learned and identify templates for future use.
• Help reflect this input in future engagement handling through improvements to training, tools and techniques.
• Train, coach and mentor attorneys and business services personnel on how to employ LPM on matters.
• Assist with formal training programs.

Benefits

• high base
• excellent benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior