Chicago - Practice Operations Manager - Litigation

Winston Taylor • Chicago, IL

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Practice Operations Manager (POM) supports the daily operational and financial performance of the Firm’s practice groups. Reporting to the Director of Practice Operations, the POM serves as a strategic liaison between attorneys and administrative teams, helps execute practice group business plans, drives technology-enabled innovation, and advances the Firm’s strategic priorities at the practice level. The role monitors financial metrics, partners with stakeholders to improve operational efficiency, and supports personnel initiatives such as lateral integration and timekeeper utilization management.

The position supports Winston Taylor’s Litigation practice, which handles complex disputes globally and includes work in areas such as antitrust, trade secrets, fraud, professional negligence, product liability, class actions, and investigations.

The role is based in Chicago and requires the employee to live within commuting distance of a Firm office and be able to work in the office three to four days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 5 years of experience in law firm operations, professional services operations, or financial/business management roles.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and special projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organization, analytical, information-gathering, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written communication and well-developed oral presentation abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with partners, senior leadership, and colleagues at all levels; build relationships, foster teamwork, and drive consensus.
• Strategic thinking and strong analytical capabilities, including the ability to translate Firm-wide goals into actionable practice-level plans.
• Must live within a commutable distance to a Firm office and be able to come into the office 3–4 days per week.

Nice To Haves

• A degree in finance or accounting is preferred.
• A JD or MBA is a plus.
• Project management experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor financial performance at department and practice group levels, including utilization, realization, revenue, profitability, and other performance metrics.
• Work with the financial reporting team to improve practice group financial reporting and regularly report on key performance indicators.
• Collaborate with Directors of Practice Operations to recommend actions that improve financial performance, monitor progress, and execute related action items.
• Collaborate with Directors of Practice Operations and the Pricing Team to improve attorney understanding of client and matter profitability, increase use of matter budgets and value-based fee arrangements, and promote team leverage.
• Monitor and manage practice group expense budgets.
• Assist with the transition and integration of newly hired lateral partners and groups.
• Support partnership nominations and promotions, including preparing candidate materials for Department Leadership and the Executive Committee, and help manage the partnership candidate pipeline by Practice Group.
• Work with the Professional Development team to support associate training programs aligned with Firm strategic priorities.
• Ensure practice groups meet and communicate regularly and effectively about practice development, business development, talent management, and financial performance.
• Assist in developing and executing department and practice group business plans with Practice Group Leaders and Business Development teams.
• Collaborate with the Chief of Practice Operations and Directors of Practice Operations to drive and monitor execution of practice components of the Firm’s strategic plan, focusing on revenue generation and operational efficiency.
• Facilitate communication between technology teams and practice groups to streamline processes, enhance workflows, and improve efficiency through technology, including practice-focused AI evaluation, integration, and adoption.
• Assist with special projects and Firm-wide initiatives supporting client acquisition and expansion goals.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits providing a full spectrum of coverage and support for full-time employees and their families.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits package.
• Yearly retirement contribution.
• May include an annual discretionary merit bonus.

What This Job Offers

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