Paralegal Support Manager

The Paralegal Support Manager is responsible for the delivery of all aspects of paralegal support management for the Bankruptcy + Restructuring, Consumer Financial Services, and Finance + Banking practice groups, ensuring that the lawyers have the appropriate level of skilled paralegal support for client work. From selection and onboarding through the entire employee lifecycle, the Paralegal Support Manager proactively builds a collaborative culture that reflects firm objectives and serves as the Legal Support Administration point of contact in their local office.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Plans, directs, and manages all aspects of paralegal staff management, including hiring, development, direct supervision, and performance management, partnering with Human Resources as needed.
• In collaboration with the Paralegal Support Administrator, provides leadership and direction to assigned practice group(s) paralegal staff, including assignment of resources, management of schedules, performance management, and compensation decisions, partnering with Practice Management and Human Resources to ensure alignment.
• Develops a deep understanding of practice groups operations and ensures paralegal staff have the right skills and training to support the needs of the practice group.
• Monitors and analyzes paralegal performance metrics to identify trends, improve efficiency, and develop related strategies that will improve service delivery to clients.
• Conducts regular check-ins and touchpoints with paralegal staff and attorneys, partnering with Human Resources for needed policy guidance and interpretation (e.g., coaching, counseling, career development, corrective action measures).
• Collaborate with managers of the Legal Support Administration teams ensuring that the right work is assigned to the right personnel for optimal efficiency and effectiveness.
• Works closely with management, attorneys, and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention. Supports employee engagement through team building, community service, and other relevant site initiatives.
• Strong collaborative leadership and management skills with ability to build productive relationships, communicate effectively, and work in a team environment.
• Understanding of practice level technology is a plus.
• Strong supervisory skills as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with both lawyers and staff.
• Able to relate to and influence individuals at all levels, internally and externally, and build productive relationships.
• Demonstrated capability to identify issues, develop creative and effective solutions and resolve conflict through acceptable and practical business solutions.
• High level of flexibility and adaptability as well as the ability to manage and support change in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present information as well as respond to questions from lawyers, staff, and clients.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong collaborative leadership and management skills with ability to build productive relationships, communicate effectively, and work in a team environment.
• Understanding of practice level technology is a plus.
• Strong supervisory skills as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with both lawyers and staff.
• Able to relate to and influence individuals at all levels, internally and externally, and build productive relationships.
• Demonstrated capability to identify issues, develop creative and effective solutions and resolve conflict through acceptable and practical business solutions.
• High level of flexibility and adaptability as well as the ability to manage and support change in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present information as well as respond to questions from lawyers, staff, and clients.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in experience and/or training.

Preferred Education:

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

Certification(s):

•  N/A 

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience managing large legal support teams or working as a paralegal manager or team lead in a large law firm or professional services firm.

• Experience leading resources supporting multiple individuals in multiple locations and/or priorities.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Previous law firm experience is required with practice area knowledge in Bankruptcy + Restructuring, Consumer Financial Services, and/or Finance + Banking.

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