The Legal Project Manager collaborates with partners, matter teams and clients to define scope, build and manage budgets, and communicate budget and scope updates throughout the lifecycle of a matter. This position develops and refines project management tools, checklists and processes for assigned clients and matters. The role will focus on supporting a portfolio of matters in the litigation practice group. This position can be based in our San Francisco or Silicon Valley, CA offices or our New York, NY office. This is a full-time exempt position.

 

Job Description:

• Manage project budgeting and comparison against actual time and billing, as well as project calendaring, timeline and milestone development.
• Create project plans, estimate the resources needed to achieve project goals, and lead the budget-creation process.
• Facilitate communication within matter teams to ensure the appropriate effort is expended on tasks.
• Review staffing arrangements and collaborate with partners to determine optimal staffing levels.
• Develop a holistic picture of the Firm’s financial investment and performance against client satisfaction goals.
• Interface with clients regarding budget creation and monitoring, scope changes, and improvements in service delivery methods.
• Create metrics and analytics which demonstrate value delivered to the client during the life cycle of matters.
• Identify and lead process improvement initiatives that can increase client satisfaction and firm profitability.
• Develop project management tools, templates, checklists and forms.
• Oversee matter closing documentation, including gathering relevant matter intelligence for use in knowledge management, pricing, project budgets, and analysis.
• Collaborate with departments including practice management, finance, knowledge & innovation, and information technology on innovation projects.
• Liaise with outside vendors to ensure cost effective and efficient delivery of services.
• Develop processes for adherence with client outside counsel guidelines.

 

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience with the tasks and deliverables involved in budgeting and managing litigation matters.
• Excellent Excel, PowerPoint and other presentation and knowledge management tools.   
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work seamlessly with high level executives and as part of a team.  
• Advanced communication and writing skills to convey and explain budgeting scenarios, report progress against the budget, and make recommendations to better manage the engagement.
• Must be organized, self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams on complex projects.

 

Reporting to the Director of Pricing and Project Management, the ideal candidate will have 8+ years of experience in project management, law or finance positions with an emphasis on budget and matter management. Legal industry experience and advanced Excel skills are required. Bachelor degree required; JD or MBA degree preferred.

The anticipated range for this position is:

$138,000 - $206,250