Practice Area Manager - Litigation

About the role

Smith Anderson is a well-established and dynamic mid-size law firm, providing top-tier legal services to clients across a range of industries. We value a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture. The Practice Area Manager is a new position to support the growing litigation group at Smith Anderson, named Benchmark Litigation’s Firm of the Year for litigation for seven straight years. This role will implement and oversee scalable processes related to intake, billing, matter administration, technology use, and professional development. Success requires collaboration, strong execution and client service skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, discretion, and effective communication. This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day efforts of the practice group team to support attorneys, all team members, and clients efficiently and effectively.
• Assist with setting workflow standards and processes for team members related to intake, billing, case tracking, and case management.
• Assist with coordinating team assignments and tracking deadlines to help workflow smoothly.
• Identify training needs and coordinate training to meet the needs and professional development goals of attorneys and other professionals.
• Assist with matter- and task-level billing tracking to improve insight and client communications around budgeting and case expenditures.
• Assist with the implementation of technology tools and developing standards and practices for the use of those tools within the department.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and shared resources and initiatives within the litigation team.
• Administer quality control standards for practice group work product and processes, and recommend improvements as needed.
• Compile and create documents for the litigation team vault.
• Evaluate performance metrics and identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate across functions to establish consistency and optimize performance, including working with Operations, Litigation Technology, Innovation, Finance and lawyers, paralegals, and administrative assistants in the litigation team.
• Identify and address additional operational needs and opportunities for growth within the litigation team.
• Help all litigation team members, and all colleagues interacting with the litigation team, to solve problems and elevate performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience in a law firm or legal department.
• Working knowledge of case intake, conflict check, and new matter procedures.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating assignments and implementing quality control standards.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal practice management software.

Education

Bachelor’s degree minimum or equivalent related work experience. Paralegal Certification preferred.