(Full-time, Hybrid or Remote)
The successful candidate will have experience in financial analysis and reporting in a large law firm environment, the understanding and ability to communicate the levers that affect the profitability of legal work; and the ability to develop strong working relationships and credibility with Firm management, leaders, attorneys, and committees across the Firm. This position plays a key role in advancing the firm's legal project management capabilities through data-driven decision making and financial discipline.
This position can be performed on a fully remote or hybrid basis from any of the firm's 38 U.S. offices and reports to the Director of Legal Project Management.
Key ResponsibilitiesWorking with the Director of Legal Project Management to develop and implement the Firm's legal project management strategy, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Develop, maintain, and enhance financial reporting, dashboards, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure matter performance, profitability, budget compliance, efficiency, leverage, and other legal project management metrics.
- Analyze financial performance across partner portfolios, clients, matters, and practice groups, to identify trends, risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities to improve profitability and operational effectiveness.
- Monitor legal matters throughout their lifecycle by evaluating budgets, alternative fee arrangements (AFAs), staffing, and financial results, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions.
- Identify causes of financial underperformance, including budget overruns, write-downs, write-offs, revenue leakage, and staffing inefficiencies, and develop actionable recommendations for improvement.
- Communicate financial information and data to non-financial personnel effectively, and translate that information and data into clear and concise action plans leading to the improvement of efficiency, revenue generation, and profitability.
- Partner with Legal Project Managers and Analysts, partners, Strategic Pricing, LPM leadership, and other administrative departments to improve financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and matter execution.
- Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial analyses and executive-level reports that provide meaningful insights and support strategic decision-making by firm leadership.
- Identify opportunities to improve legal project management processes, financial processes, reporting methodologies, and data quality through continuous process improvement initiatives.
- Support the development, implementation, and refinement of best practices related to legal project management, matter budgeting, profitability analysis, and financial performance management.
- Present financial findings, trends, and recommendations to attorneys, practice leaders, and firm leadership in a clear, concise, and actionable manner.
- Collaborate with Strategic Pricing, Finance, Knowledge Management, Technology, and other departments to enhance reporting capabilities, automate financial reporting processes, and improve data accessibility.
- Assist with post-matter financial reviews and lessons-learned analyses to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, improved pricing strategies, and enhanced client value.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director of Legal Project Management in support of the firm's strategic financial and operational objectives.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Strong understanding of law firm economics, including pricing, leverage, utilization, profitability, billing, collections, and alternative fee arrangements.
- Advanced financial modeling and analytical skills.
- Expertise developing executive-level dashboards and reporting.
- Strong knowledge of financial reporting tools and business intelligence platforms (Power BI, Tableau, SSRS, or similar).
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Experience with legal financial management systems (Elite 3E, Aderant, Intapp, or similar) preferred.
- Ability to identify financial trends and convert complex data into actionable recommendations.
- Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Strong presentation and communication abilities with executive presence.
- Ability to delegate, manage resources, and effectively get work done through others.
- Ability to influence attorneys and business leaders through data-driven recommendations.
- Exceptional attention to detail while maintaining strategic perspective.
- Ability to think creatively and to innovate in a fast-paced environment subject to change, new technologies, and market disruptions.
- Must possess superior judgment and discretion and be able to protect and maintain sensitive and highly confidential information.
- Ability and flexibility to travel to Firm offices and events, as needed.
Education, Experience & Certification Requirements- An undergraduate degree required.
- Minimum of five years of experience in a law firm, including three years in legal project management, is preferred. Previous experience in a large law firm strongly preferred.
- Previous experience working directly with attorneys on matter and portfolio-level financial levers and profitability.
- Previous experience with law firm billing systems, alternative fee arrangements, and financial reporting.
- Demonstrated success establishing, developing, and managing legal project management initiatives in a national, multi-office environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel in order to independently produce quality communications and presentations.
CompensationThe salary range for this position is $120,000 - $160,000. Actual base pay within this range will be determined by several components, including but not limited to, location, relevant experience, internal equity, skills, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
