Practice Manager - Appellate & Constitutional Law

Gibson Dunn•Washington, DC

2d•$230,000 - $280,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Gibson Dunn is seeking a dynamic Practice Manager for its Appellate & Constitutional Law practice. This role will serve as an interface between partners, associates, and clients, supporting the day-to-day business and operational tasks of the practice, as well as developing and implementing strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of appellate and constitutional law, including Supreme Court practice and procedure, administrative law, and agency review. This position is a key part of the firm's business services function and will collaborate with a growing practice management team to support practice leaders. The role involves strategic planning, talent management, developing education and training programs, knowledge management, client development, and supporting cross-departmental initiatives.

Requirements

Strong understanding of federal and state appellate practice and procedure, constitutional law, administrative law, and U.S. Supreme Court and appellate advocacy.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion.
Exceptional verbal and written communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Collaboration and facilitation skills to work with various departments and facilitate their ability to work with each other.
Ability to work independently and with a team, and to delegate and manage resources effectively.
Strong leadership skills to lead a large and geographically dispersed team.
High degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills in exercising independent judgment and making decisions in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment.
Creative thinker who is open to considering multiple approaches to issues and collaborating with other leaders to develop and execute plans.
Strong time management skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Able to coordinate multiple tasks concurrently and prioritize effectively.
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work concurrently on a variety of projects with changing priorities.
Meticulous attention to detail.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with Department personnel, Firm management, other attorneys and staff.
Highly motivated, strategic focus: ability to understand and support Firm goals, services, culture and strategy to present self and the Firm in a positive, professional manner.
Understands and stays up to date on current legal market trends, news, and innovations.
Exhibits high degree of initiative in managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, high-stressed, detail-oriented work environment.
Strong knowledge of the legal industry, the relevant laws and regulations, and the best practices and standards.
Ability to work independently to solve problems relating to both technical issues and situations involving the coordination of, and collaboration with, attorneys, non-attorney staff and different administrative departments.

Nice To Haves

Judicial clerkship experience (federal or state appellate) preferred.
Preferred experience in a professional services firm, ideally a law firm.

Responsibilities

Develop strategic business goals, objectives, and tactics in alignment with Firm strategy, in coordination with practice group leadership and the management team.
Assist in the preparation and implementation of the practice group's strategic goals and objectives.
Manage talent across the groups, including assessments of recruiting and senior talent pipelines, development of performance improvement plans, and coordination with attorney review teams.
Support the firm's free market system for associates and partners, helping lawyers identify appropriate staffing for matters and opportunities for new work.
Manage the associate journey, including mentorship, review support, low billing interventions, and career guidance.
Develop practice-specific educational trainings and CLE programming, including core expertise developmental goals for associates.
Develop, maintain, and publicize practice group materials such as forms, templates, interpretation documents, and databases.
Act as the central repository for knowledge of matters and work product, including research materials, publications, and past articles.
Coordinate and distribute periodic practice-specific updates tracking relevant legal developments.
Monitor relevant legal and news developments and circulate information to the practice group and/or clients.
Collaborate with marketing, business development, and communications teams to support business development efforts, including managing external events, rankings, awards submissions, and client updates.
Develop agendas and drive follow-up for regular partner and group meetings.
Manage tracking of all practice-specific data including matters, oral arguments, and staffing.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive execution.
Assist with special projects as they arise.