Legal Operations Manager

Description

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.

About the role

The Legal Operations Manager reports to the Director of Legal Operations & Innovation and is responsible for overseeing the effective creation and functioning of information and administrative systems in support of Earthjustice’s legal practice. This position is also responsible for supporting General Counsel in compliance and risk management responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as business owner and primary administrator for core legal practice systems (e.g. Litera Foundation, Intapp) and other legal operations platforms, ensuring functionality, data quality, reliable reporting, and strong end-user support.
• Oversee administration of matter and case information databases and time tracking systems, managing data integrity, access, and ongoing configuration to support litigation and firm management needs.
• Lead initiatives to improve workflows and operational efficiency, evaluate and recommend legal practice management and reporting tools, leverage AI and automation with appropriate governance, and support development and delivery of systems-related training for legal and program staff.
• Serve as first escalation point for conflicts, ethical walls, and related legal operations risk issues, further escalating complex or sensitive conflicts to General Counsel, and oversee administration of Intapp Risk and Intapp Walls to ensure compliant conflicts and ethical wall processes.
• Manage and assist with the intake queue, ensuring timely processing and accurate analysis of AI-assisted conflicts checks for new matters and new hires, and ensure consistent application of firm policies and professional responsibility standards.
• Manage matter and case data for reporting to senior leadership, advance data analysis and reporting capabilities, stay current on legal technology and risk management trends, and proactively identify risks and opportunities for process and system improvement.
• Directly supervise, train, and evaluate Legal Operations Analysts, set priorities and allocate resources, lead staff supporting matter intelligence, legal operations technology, dashboards, and structured legal data, and supervise conflicts-related work, documentation, and ethical wall implementation.
• Uphold Earthjustice’s mission and values by fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment, providing clear direction and feedback, and promoting a culture of learning for all team members.
• Oversee relevant administrative, budgeting, and personnel management of direct reports, ensuring that all organizational policies and standards are met.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent years of experience, plus a minimum of five years of relevant work experience required.
• Expert technical specialist with seasoned knowledge of all aspects of business planning, project management, workflow planning, budgeting and financial management.
• Certification or training in project management, change management, and/or Generative AI desired.
• Strong understanding of law firm operations, legal practice workflows, and professional responsibility and ethics requirements, including strict confidentiality.
• In-depth technical proficiency with legal practice systems, including case management, document and records management, conflicts, and time entry platforms.
• Advanced experience with Intapp systems (Open, Risk, Walls, Time, IIS), API calls, system integrations including Boomi connectors, and generative AI tools to enhance legal operations workflows.
• Strong aptitude for evaluating and implementing emerging legal technology tools; strong data analytics skills, including developing dashboards and reports to support strategic decision-making.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgment in complex situations, and demonstrated ability to apply change management practices to transitions involving technology, processes, and people.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, with ability to work effectively across roles and levels and adapt quickly to change and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice’s values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.
• Skill in leading diverse teams with emotional intelligence and cultural competence; fosters growth through mentorship, effective communication, and constructive feedback while hiring and developing team talents to align with organizational needs.

Qualifications

• Strong aptitude for evaluating and implementing emerging legal technology tools; strong data analytics skills, including developing dashboards and reports to support strategic decision-making.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgment in complex situations, and demonstrated ability to apply change management practices to transitions involving technology, processes, and people.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, with ability to work effectively across roles and levels and adapt quickly to change and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice’s values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.
• Strong aptitude for evaluating and implementing emerging legal technology tools; strong data analytics skills, including developing dashboards and reports to support strategic decision-making.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgment in complex situations, and demonstrated ability to apply change management practices to transitions involving technology, processes, and people.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, with ability to work effectively across roles and levels and adapt quickly to change and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice’s values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.

Skills

• Strong aptitude for evaluating and implementing emerging legal technology tools; strong data analytics skills, including developing dashboards and reports to support strategic decision-making.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgment in complex situations, and demonstrated ability to apply change management practices to transitions involving technology, processes, and people.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, with ability to work effectively across roles and levels and adapt quickly to change and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice’s values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and excellent, comprehensive benefits. We also offer a casual and congenial work environment.

Pay

The annual salary range for this role in San Francisco, CA or New York, NY is $113,00 - $125,500 The annual salary range for this role in Washington, DC, Seattle, WA, Los Angeles, CA, or Chicago, IL is $107,400 - $119,300 The annual salary range for this role in Philadelphia, PA or Denver, CO is $101,700 - $113,000 The annual salary range for this role in Miami, FL, Houston, Texas, or Atlanta, GA is $96,000 - $106,700 The remote annual salary range will vary between $106,700 - $125,500 depending on specific location.

Schedule

This position can be remote from the contiguous US (including states we have offices in) or hybrid. For hybrid applications, there is a preference for San Francisco or Washington, D.C.