Senior Practice Manager

Company: Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Location: Los Angeles
Posted on: February 1, 2025

Job Description:

This is an exciting opportunity to work for one of the top law firms in the U.S.! Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for a Senior Practice Manager to join our team in our Seattle or Los Angeles offices.We offer a hybrid work engagement with three days of remote work, and two days in-office.Practice Management (PM) plays an instrumental role in helping our lawyers operate more effectively and efficiently to drive revenue growth, better utilize time spent on non-billable activities, facilitate the integration of lateral hires, and foster a collaborative environment to leverage all our business professional teams' capabilities to support our lawyers in building their practices and serving clients. The Practice Management Team comprises revenue enablers who ensure operational efficiency; develop, drive, and execute on PG/industry strategic vision; provide financial insights that drive economic improvements; support client value initiatives; and otherwise support each practice's business needs and operations.As trusted advisors to the Practice Group Chairs (PGCs) and practice leaders, the Senior Practice Manager must be a highly innovative and collaborative self-starter, with demonstrated experience, confidence, and professionalism in communicating with partners, management, and timekeepers at all levels of the organization.To perform at the highest levels and ensure the highest level of operational efficiency for the practice groups, the Senior Practice Manager must develop an unparalleled knowledge of the inner workings of the Firm and provide timely and effective responses to the Practice Groups, Industry Teams, and/or Investment Areas they support. The Senior Practice Manager is expected to effectively manage more than one practice group or industry team.At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.On a typical day you will:Practice Group Operations

• Manage the daily execution of business needs / operations of the assigned Practice Groups, Industry Teams, and/or Investment Areas, including developing and managing the practice operations budget, establishing a consistent framework for Practice Group meetings and communications, supporting Firm processes and follow-up on initiatives/action items, etc.
  • Serve as main point of contact and primary person responsible for all operations related to the practice groups by working closely with its attorneys and professionals, as well as the firm's business departments including, but not limited to: Information Governance, HR, Knowledge Management, Finance/Accounting, Recruiting, Marketing, Business Development, Client Experience, Professional Development, DEI, and Pro Bono.
    • Drive efficiencies and process improvements and introduce innovative approaches to improve the overall operation of the practice group and infrastructure, driving improved service to the Firm's clients and generating revenue. Work in tandem with other departments to implement process improvements that will improve service levels to the lawyers.
      • Maintain practice-specific resources that pertain to lawyer-led trainings.
        • Guide attorneys on efficient use of technology to improve service delivery, especially AI.Practice Group and Firmwide Strategy
          • Build a strategic vision for the practice group, industry teams, and/or investment area.
            • Collaborate with PG Chairs, partners and other business operations departments to facilitate the development and execution of Practice Group strategic plans with clear and achievable goals focused on culture, revenue, profitability, growth and retention, reputation, brand awareness, profile and competitive differentiation.
              • Support the firm's strategic value that "People Matter" by building trust and credibility with partners, counsel, associates, and direct reports including having an in-depth understanding of professional aspirations, experiences, strengths, development needs, and relevant personal circumstances.
                • Track the group's talent pipeline and ensure forward progress on succession plans, mentorship arrangements, etc.
                  • Collaborate with the Director of Practice Management to lead the execution of the department's strategic goals.
                    • Collaborate with relevant business departments to provide trainings on "soft skills" such as client relationship management, business development, client feedback, etc.
                      • Provide operational and strategic support client teams for the firm's top and fastest growing clients.People Management and Development
                        • Manage and supervise managers, specialists and senior specialists to assure they are executing on practice group strategy and departmental strategic plan while providing excellent client service.
                          • Work with Professional Development Partners (PDPs) to ensure that each attorney in the group is fully utilized, with the opportunity to work on a variety of matters and with a variety of partners, while balancing development opportunities with client needs.
                            • Work with Recruiting on needs assessments and lateral recruiting initiatives.
                              • Ensure that all attorneys who join the Firm have an unparalleled integration experience. Lead strategic lateral attorney integration effort by developing and executing comprehensive integration plans for new hires in collaboration with Business Development, Recruiting, and practice group leadership.
                                • Liaise with Human Resources regarding medical leave, parental leave, terminations, etc.
                                  • Coordinate with Professional Development Team and Human Resources regarding performance issues if directed by PGC to do so.
                                    • Act as point person to facilitate problem solving and address attorney concerns related to operational and strategic objectives.
                                      • Track and report utilization data and proactively looks for opportunities to even out workflow and flag underutilized and overutilized associates.
                                        • Collaborate with Professional Development department and Professional Development Partners to manage a productive workforce where work assignments are provided efficiently and equitably; opportunities are allocated in accordance with Practice Group and individual development goals; and performance issues are identified early and addressed.
                                          • Collaborate with Talent Acquisition Department to ensure Practice Group size is adjusted to meet projected workflow demands.
                                            • Keep abreast of case developments and potential leavers, joiners and secondments of associates and paralegals to help with future workload estimations and reporting to team leaders as necessary/requested.
                                              • Support PGCs and Professional Development in associate review process, counsel/partner elevation, and/or share questionnaire as necessary.
                                                • Work closely with the Firm's Professional Development to develop training content and ensure the appropriate development, evaluation, and training of practice group attorneys. Recommend the Firm's training resources, or other assistance as appropriate, to meet identified development needs.Financial
                                                  • Analyze and report on Practice Group financials and other key performance indicators to monitor timekeeper utilization, performance trends, and overall practice revenue. Regularly provide action items that further the profitable management of the Practice to the Practice Group Chairs and Financial Partners.
                                                    • Work with Finance on tracking and managing alternative fee agreements and other matter management reporting as necessary.
                                                      • Managing and approve Practice Group budgets and expenses.
                                                        • Analyze monthly AR and work with Financial Partner and Collections team to collect outstanding revenue.
                                                          • In collaboration with the Revenue and Profitability team, help practice groups and individual lawyers manage the economics of their practices.Business Development
                                                            • Provide strategic guidance and PG specific information and customization as needed to Business Development and Marketing department on strategic initiatives; RFP and pitch responses; targeted marketing collateral, accolades and recognition, etc., and ensure alignment of resources.
                                                              • Work with business development and other staff departments to promote client and group initiatives, including client training programs and presentations (CLEs).
                                                                • Provide coaching on individual business plans as well as coaching relationship partners on target client business development plans.Join us if you have:
                                                                  • College degree required; Master's degree in Marketing or Business Administration or similar field, or JD preferred.
                                                                  • 8+ years as a business professional in a professional services organization preferred; law firm experience or prior experience as a practicing attorney is a plus.
                                                                  • Prior experience in a leadership role, managing people is required; demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop team members, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
                                                                  • Demonstrated ability to develop professional working relationships and create a consultative, advisory-type level of trust with attorneys.
                                                                  • Demonstrated understanding of the business of law, including finance, sales and marketing, staffing models and industry trends.
                                                                  • Ability to work in a professional and collegial manner with attorneys, paralegals and staff.
                                                                  • Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously is required.
                                                                  • Strong writing skills and excellent grammar, spelling and proofreading skills are required.
                                                                  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain effective working relationships and communicate verbally and in writing in a professional, courteous manner with clients, firm members, and other business contacts are required.
                                                                  • Demonstrated ability to provide direction and guidance in business plan development efforts - at the individual, practice group and office levels.
                                                                  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex request for proposal responses is required.
                                                                  • Experience negotiating sponsorship contracts is required.
                                                                  • Demonstrated understanding of alternative fee arrangements in the service industry (understanding of law firm pricing models a plus) is required.
                                                                  • Demonstrated ability to coach and develop business development skills, both among staff and attorneys, is required.
                                                                  • Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office Products required, i.e. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel; CRM technology a plus.
                                                                  • Ability to pay close attention to detail and be highly organized and accurate is required.
                                                                  • Ability to travel occasionally within the United States is required.Who We AreDavis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 11 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client's and each lawyer's work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them.What's in it For You?DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:
                                                                    • Choice of health and vision insurance plans.
                                                                    • 2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work.
                                                                    • Dental plan.
                                                                    • Fertility and adoption benefit.
                                                                    • Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service.
                                                                    • Tuition reimbursement.
                                                                    • Commuter benefits.
                                                                    • Retirement contribution.This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.Washington StateThe annualized salary range for this position in Washington is $162,000 to $185,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate's education, training, experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, 11 paid holidays each year and an employee assistance program. For full-time employees, the initial vacation benefit is 15 days per year and 11 days of sick leave per year, accrued bi-weekly. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available.CaliforniaThe annualized salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $162,000 to $185,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available.Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email .#LI-BR1
                                                                      #J-18808-Ljbffr

Keywords: Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Chino Hills , Senior Practice Manager, Executive , Los Angeles, California