What is Practice Development at Ropes & Gray?

Practice Development plays an essential role in the firm’s business, where our core business units are practice groups (PGs). Practice Development professionals, working in teams, are embedded within each PG and focus on driving and implementing firm and PG strategic priorities, where we serve as trusted advisors to the partners and firm leadership. We are also key advisors on behalf of PGs to other business support departments at the firm. 

Each Practice Development team stands in a unique position, working closely with partners, to develop and execute on a wide range of strategic, commercial, and operational initiatives – connecting people and capabilities – that include:

• Contributing to the articulation and implementation of PG strategic and commercial priorities.
• Managing and overseeing the core business functions of each practice group.
• Aligning PG talent with firm and group needs to drive strategies and offerings.
• Commercializing knowledge through product development, thought leadership campaigns, and external, as well as internal, profile-raising strategies.
• Analyzing PG performance metrics to identify actionable insights and measure progress against practice imperatives.

The Practice Development Manager (PDM) will serve as trusted advisor to the Practice Group Leaders ("PGLs"), partners, and Director of the Litigation & Enforcement practice group (2LEPG9).

The PDM will work directly with LEPG leadership to set strategy, drive accountability, and ensure operational efficiency within the practice group. In this role, the PDM will report to the Director of Practice Development and collaborate with other departments (e.g., Finance, Attorney Development, Attorney Talent, Business Development, Marketing, HR, Knowledge Management, and Office of General Counsel) to support LEPG’s strategic vision, business operations, financial performance, and resource management.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in a large law firm or other professional services environment; exemplary leadership skills; at least eight years of experience managing complex business operations and teams; a proven track record of successful performance; outstanding verbal and written communication skills; experience working with colleagues at all levels; strong organizational skills and attention to detail; and a willingness to roll up their sleeves to help the practice group achieve its business objectives.

Please note that occasional travel may be necessary, as well as flexibility to accommodate partners in other time zones and address time-sensitive projects outside of business hours.

Essential Functions: 

• Collaborate with practice group leadership, partners, and other key stakeholders to develop a strategic practice group plan with clear, achievable goals focused on competitive differentiation, market positioning, talent, and profitability.
• Support PG leadership with daily operations, including designing and running substantive initiatives and meetings that maintain focus on PG priorities.
• Identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, and efficiency in business operations, matter management, and infrastructure, and develop actionable solutions and implementation plans.
• Relentlessly execute and track progress on initiatives in support of the firm and PG strategies.
• Manage PG talent needs by working with PGLs, partners, and Attorney Talent on partner and counsel transitions, including: evaluating overall talent needs; onboarding and integrating lateral partners and counsel; preparing business cases for partner promotions; integrating promoted partners; and succession planning for partner retirements. Collaborate with partners to draft candidate sponsor memoranda and integration plans.
• Collaborate with PGLs and partners to identify and execute on knowledge management needs in partnership with the Legal Knowledge Management team.
• Drive innovation through product development and thought leadership campaigns in collaboration with attorneys, Legal Knowledge Management, Business Development, and Marketing teams.
• Work with Business Development, Public Relations, and Events teams to raise attorney profiles by identifying speaking opportunities, conferences, sponsorships, and writing opportunities that support knowledge marketing efforts.
• Strategize approach for and oversee the preparation of various legal ranking submissions. Develop and oversee processes to track PG experience.
• Facilitate sharing of practice area developments and information with appropriate business support teams.
• Collaborate with Finance to analyze PG financial performance (revenue, profitability, realization, utilization, WIP, A/R) and work with practice group leadership to drive growth, leverage, and profitability. Prepare and manage PG budgets.
• Manage Practice Development Specialists and Coordinators through coaching, mentoring, and delegation of practice group projects and routine tasks.

Practice Development is part of a broader business support organization, where we are part of a collaborative work environment with smart, creative colleagues. Successful candidates will exhibit the following qualities:

• Exemplary leadership skills.
• Ability to establish credibility with Ropes & Gray partners and to bring the right mix of confidence, tact, and persistence in working with the firm’s lawyers.
• Confidence and professionalism to interact credibly and diplomatically with all levels of the organization, including partners and firm management, tailoring communications effectively for different audiences.
• Strong business acumen, project management, analytical skills, and proven attention to detail.
• Ability to develop and successfully execute comprehensive project and operational plans from broadly stated objectives.
• Desire to learn.
• Ability to identify and solve problems, work independently, and take initiative.
• Ability to synthesize varied data and information into logical conclusions and actionable recommendations.
• Excellent presentation, writing and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to roll up sleeves and get things done.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; positive, can-do attitude.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-office environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal and personnel affairs.

Education and Experience Required:

• Experience in litigation and/or government enforcement or in a mid-sized to large law firm preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree. JD or MBA preferred, but not required.
• At least eight years of applicable experience working in a mid-sized to large law firm or corporate environment in a similar field and/or as a practicing attorney.
• Proven problem-solving abilities, capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and ability to design and implement goals.
• Prior people management experience, including coaching, mentoring and strong delegation skills.

Ropes & Gray is proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our business support team members. The firm also offers comprehensive health and well-being benefits, personal and professional development, career growth opportunities and a collegial and supportive culture. The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below and represents our good faith and reasonable estimate of the starting salary range at the time of posting. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offered rate for this position will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors, including qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data and consideration of internal equity.

Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C.: $150,100 - $240,150

New York: $161,000 - $257,600

This position requires hybrid on-site presence as an essential function of the role. Consistent and predictable on-site presence is required for ongoing business continuity, professional development and effective collaboration with colleagues and management.