OverviewA leading international law firm is seeking an experienced Practice Operations & Legal Support Manager to support the daily management and business operations of its Intellectual Property Department and Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. This highly visible role partners closely with practice leadership, attorneys, and administrative teams to drive operational excellence, professional development, staffing coordination, and team management across multiple offices.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic professional with strong leadership, project management, and relationship-building skills. This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of legal operations, attorney development, business management, and litigation support within a sophisticated and fast-paced practice environment.
ResponsibilitiesAttorney Professional Development & Staffing- Manage work assignment coordination and staffing across the Intellectual Property practice, including billable and pro bono matters
- Align assignments with attorney experience levels and professional development goals
- Coordinate coverage and matter reassignment during attorney absences and leaves
- Support attorney evaluation processes in collaboration with practice leadership and legal personnel teams
- Assist with onboarding, orientation, and integration of junior attorneys and lateral hires
- Coordinate training programs and professional development initiatives for attorneys and legal professionals
- Support practice leadership with attorney personnel matters and team development initiatives
Department Operations & Reporting- Assist with implementation of department and practice group strategic initiatives
- Prepare productivity and operational reports for department leadership and management committees
- Coordinate department-level projects and operational initiatives
- Provide administrative and operational support to department leadership, including meetings, retreats, and firmwide initiatives
Business Development & Marketing- Support pitches, RFP responses, CLE programs, department events, and lateral integration initiatives
- Coordinate internal and external events involving attorneys and practice group leadership
- Collaborate with business development and marketing teams on strategic initiatives
Legal Support & Team Management- Oversee management and professional development of assigned paralegal and legal support teams
- Conduct regular check-ins, coaching, and productivity reviews with team members
- Monitor workflow allocation and staffing resources to ensure efficient support delivery across offices
- Partner with Human Resources and practice leadership on performance management and employee relations matters
- Promote collaboration, process improvement, and operational consistency across legal support functions
- Support management of specialized legal support programs and related staffing initiatives
Requirements- Bachelor's degree required
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in a legal or professional services environment
- Minimum of 3 years of management or supervisory experience
- Strong leadership, coaching, and relationship-management skills
- Excellent project management, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism and discretion
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys, staff, and leadership across all levels
- Experience supporting litigation, intellectual property, or practice group operations preferred
- Demonstrated ability to improve processes, manage resources, and support strategic business initiatives