Legal Support Services Manager
Job Description:
You’re looking for a change, and so are we. At Venable, we know that every new hire brings valuable experience, new perspectives, and a chance to raise the bar on our approach to how we work. That’s why we’re looking for a Legal Support Services Manager to provide leadership and management to the Consolidated Model Legal Administrative Assistants (LAAs), Litigation Division LAAs, and Practice Group Assistants (PGAs).
The Legal Support Services Manager partners with Senior Manager, Legal Support Services on departmental initiatives and special projects. Dedication to learning and embracing the Firm’s culture is a key aspect of this role. Building and maintaining strong relationships with attorneys, legal professionals, and business professionals will be instrumental in ensuring success in this role.
The ideal candidate will be responsible for…
- Managing a team of LAA’s and other support roles supporting the lawyers and other billable staff in the Washington, DC office
- Ensuring effective, timely and cost-efficient coordination for completion of client and administrative tasks
- Managing LAA assignments and staff/lawyer ratios
- Coordinating daily staffing, scheduling, workflow and backup/overflow support
- Managing staff overtime utilization
- Ensuring available resources are being utilized and identify additional resources needed
- Identifying opportunities for improved individual and team efficiencies
- Conduct thorough practice needs assessments. Develop lawyer relationships. Determine, implement and maintain optimal staffing requirements and utilization. Develop understanding of office client base and associated matters.
- Ensure staff are accountable to established core competencies.
- Working with Legal Staff and LAAs/PGAs to identify problems and develop and implement resolutions that support the needs of the business
- Following a structured approach to leading change management activities. Creating actionable deliverables, communication plans, training plans, and drive stakeholder engagement
- Conducting regular staff meetings to review status of office operations and communicate goals and objectives
- Assessing staff skill levels to ensure alignment with current business needs. Developing and implementing training, mentoring, development and succession plan.
- Evaluating, hiring high performing staff throughout the employment life cycle, and facilitating onboarding and training
- Partnering with Senior Manager on strategic planning and change management projects to include research, concept design, execution, and evaluation
- Working with Senior Manager and peer managers across the firm to ensure support systems for all practices are functioning optimally
- Providing support, planning, and coordination of office social functions
The successful candidate will demonstrate…
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience
- 7+ years relevant work experience, preferably within a law firm environment, and 2+ years people management experience, including overseeing the work, performance, and development of a team
- Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including proficiency with Word. Experience with MS Project preferred
- Exposure to document management, accounting/billing/timekeeping systems
- Strong focus on client service and responsiveness; ability to work in a consultative manner
- Strong focus on client service and responsiveness; ability to work in a consultative manner.
- Ability to anticipate problems and focus on appropriate solutions while incorporating differing viewpoints.
- Strong negotiation skills and the ability to make persuasive arguments to move toward a common vision or goal.
- Ability to direct and coordinate work efforts of individuals with differing abilities and delegate work to others.
- Understanding of litigation legal processes and associated technologies preferred.
Pay Range for Candidates in Washington, DC:
$114,000 - $165,000 per year
The range provided is the minimum and maximum salary that Venable in good faith believes at the time of this posting that it is willing to pay for the advertised position. Exact compensation will be determined based on individual candidate qualifications and location.
Committing your time and talent is no small matter—at Venable, we know that superior client service begins with an investment in our people. Our competitive compensation, robust benefits, and programs that support our employees’ well-being, families, and futures reflect our dedication to prioritizing the whole person, not just the professional.
Venable’s benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flexible spending and healthcare savings accounts, 401(k) with firm profit share, paid time off, firm paid holidays, wellness and personal advocacy programs, family planning resources and leave programs, tuition reimbursement, and more. New employees are provided a detailed orientation to the firm’s benefit offerings upon hire.
Here, we strive to offer the kind of care that radiates, from our colleagues to our clients, to our communities, so that success finds everyone.
