The Legal Support Manager is responsible for the comprehensive management of legal support services across assigned practice groups and firm offices to ensure attorneys are supported by a well-matched team of skilled legal support professionals -- including Legal Practice Assistants and Legal Administrative Assistants -- sufficient to meet the demands of attorney workload and practice needs. The Legal Support Manager oversees the full employee life cycle for these professionals, encompassing recruitment and selection, onboarding, ongoing development, and retention. The Legal Support Manager role has a cultural leadership dimension, requiring a proactive approach to building a collaborative, high-performing team environment consistent with firm goals. The Legal Support Manager also serves as the primary Legal Support Administration point of contact within the local office.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Oversee all aspects of legal support staff management, including hiring, professional development, day-to-day supervision, and performance management1 partnering with Human Resources as appropriate.

• Works closely with practice management to understand practice group processes, align staff resources and training with evolving practice group needs, and support the achievement of operational goals.

• In collaboration with the Legal Support Administrator, provide leadership and direction to assigned practice group legal support staff, including resource allocation, schedule management, performance management, and compensation recommendations, ensuring alignment with Human Resources.

• Develop a deep understanding of practice group operations and ensure legal support staff possess the skills and training necessary to meet the practice group
  9s needs.

• Analyze reports to generate insights, recommendations, and strategies to enhance team performance.

• Conduct regular check-ins with legal support staff and attorneys.

• Partner with Human Resources and the Legal Support Administrator for policy guidance and interpretation on matters such as coaching, counseling, career development, and corrective action.

• Collaborate with the Legal Support Administrator, attorneys, and legal support team to strengthen working relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention, support employee engagement through team building, community service, and other office initiatives.

• Collaborate closely with Legal Support Administrator to ensure work is appropriately assigned to the right personnel for optimal efficiency and effectiveness.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with legal support staff and firm-wide administrative departments to identify workflow improvements and resolve issues, including enhancements in billing, intake and conflicts, and attorney travel.

• Maintain confidentiality of information.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven ability to inspire, lead, and develop high-performing teams.

• Exceptional leadership, managerial, strategic thinking, and time management skills.

• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to effectively communicate and present information as well as respond to questions from lawyers, staff, and clients.

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities; able to identify issues, craft practical solutions, and resolve conflicts with sound judgment.

• High integrity and professionalism; established credibility and trusted partnership with practice group leadership, management, attorneys, and legal support team.

• Skilled at building productive relationships; effective both independently and as a collaborative team member.

• Able to represent the department in a professional and positive manner, serving as a role model for team members.

• Ability to balance multiple priorities, remain composed under pressure, and adapt to shifting demands.

• Strong commitment to client service, ethical conduct, and firm values.

• Demonstrated ability to self-manage and work independently in a remote, hybrid, and in-office settings.

• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team to promote consistent and efficient workflow processes.

• Strong organizational and prioritizing skills to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

• High-level of flexibility and adaptability as well as the ability to manage and support change in a fast-paced environment.

• Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Required Education:

• Bachelor
  9s degree or any combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties of the position.

Preferred Education:

• N/A

Certification(s):

• N/A

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience managing large legal support teams.

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive management experience, preferably within a legal/professional services environment required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading resources supporting multiple individuals in multiple locations beneficial.

• Practice area knowledge and familiarity with practice-level technology beneficial.

Compensation is dependent on several factors, such as position, location, market, education, training, and/or experience.