Legal Practice Manager at DLA Piper in Chicago, Illinois

Legal Practice Manager

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let's see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary The Legal Practice Manager (LPM), working in collaboration with and in support of the firm's strategic initiatives, is a strategic business professional responsible for supporting a partner, or group of partners, with a large and complex practice. This role ensures seamless integration of billing, matter management, and administrative functions across multiple teams. The LPM acts as the central coordinator and leader of a multi-disciplinary team of business professionals including pitch and proposal, finance, billing, administrative support, and client service while maintaining strong collaboration with attorneys and practice management leadership. The LPM serves as the operational hub, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and client satisfaction in all aspects of matter lifecycle management.

Location This position can sit in our Chicago or Austin office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Matter & Financial Management
  • Oversee pitch and proposal activity, matter opening, budgeting, and compliance with client guidelines.
  • Monitor WIP (work-in-progress), billing, collections, and profitability metrics for the partner's portfolio.
  • Coordinate with billing teams to ensure timely and accurate invoicing aligned with client requirements.
  • Work with collections on tracking payments and allocations.
  • Track and report on key financial KPIs, proactively identifying risks and opportunities.
• Operational Leadership
  • Serve as the primary liaison between the partner and internal business teams (finance, billing, administrative support, marketing, etc.).
  • Lead and coordinate a multi-disciplinary team to deliver exceptional client service and operational excellence, including International where involved.
  • Implement best practices for matter management, workflow optimization, and resource allocation.
• Client Service & Relationship Support
  • Ensure compliance with client outside counsel guidelines and reporting requirements.
  • Support client-facing administrative needs, including status reports, budgets, and performance metrics.
  • Partner with the firm's pricing and legal project management teams to develop and maintain alternative fee arrangements and matter plans.
• Process Improvement & Technology
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce administrative burden.
  • Leverage firm technology platforms for matter tracking, reporting, and collaboration.
  • Train and mentor team members on best practices and tools.

Desired Skills

Strong understanding of law firm economics, billing processes, and client service standards. Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Proficiency in financial analysis, budgeting, and matter management systems. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority. Skilled in interpreting financial data and operational metrics. Committed to delivering exceptional service and maintaining strong relationships. Proactive in identifying issues and implementing solutions. Comfortable with legal practice management tools and data analytics platforms.

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 5 years' experience in legal operations, practice management, or professional services environment.

Essential Job Expectations

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.
• Foster positive work relationships.
• Comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people. Physical Demands Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Work Environment The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm's discretion in the future.

Disclaimer The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email. Accommodation Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com. Agency applications will not be considered. No immigration sponsorship is available for this position. The firm's expected hiring range for this position is $124,167-$164,525 per year depending on the candidate's geographic market location. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate's experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k). Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm's direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.