OverviewOrrick currently has an excellent opportunity for a Practice Manager, Energy & Infrastructure group ("E&I) in the New York, Washington DC, San Francisco or Houston office.
The Opportunity: The Practice Manager works closely with the Chief Practice Officer, Firm leadership, E&I attorneys and other business professionals to accomplish E&I’s strategic, financial, talent, and operational objectives and to support the Firm’s shared client service, collaboration, and innovation goals by overseeing and actively managing associate and of counsel utilization, addressing resource demands, adhering to financial management best practices, and enhancing profitability in E&I. The E&I Practice Manager will be primarily responsible for managing associate staffing in the U.S. and associate utilization and professional development globally. The successful Practice Manager will apply an in-depth understanding of client service and partner needs, staffing requirements, pricing arrangements, deal and inventory life cycles, and key financial metrics to make sound judgements and minimize the administrative burden on practice leaders and partners. The Practice Manager will be part of a growing practice management team within our firm.
Responsibilities
Attorney Staffing, Utilization and Performance
- Drive practice group utilization and manage the work allocation process for U.S. associates in the group.
- Monitor workloads and professional development of U.S. associates and help allocate new matters in a manner which ensures an equitable distribution of assignments consistent with the clients’ needs and the attorneys’ individual professional development goals.
- Track, aggregate and analyze associate metrics, including availability information and utilization rates. Partner with the Chief Practice Officer and associates to ensure that individual goals relating to productivity are achieved and practice group productivity is optimized.
- Staff non-partner attorneys on partner requests for staffing.
- Manage U.S. vacation and OOO calendar for NPAs and partners.
- Monitor and manage associate-led initiatives.
- Coordinate with supervising partners to identify staffing needs and hiring targets; partner with the Talent and Finance teams to ensure hiring efforts are supporting the goals and needs of the group and supporting firm profitability targets.
- Coordinate with non-partner recruiting on E&I lateral and summer program hiring opportunities.
- Regularly connect with associates to level-set on professional development goals, perceived skills gaps, and socialize the Practice Manager role as a firm resource for E&I’s non-partner attorneys.
- Collaborate with the Talent team and the Chief Practice Officer to address associates who may be having specific challenges so that appropriate mentoring, training, and other actions can be taken to address such challenges in a timely manner.
- Manage the associate/partner mentor assignments and discuss same with associates.
- Facilitate practice group integration of new associates and of counsel.
- Coordinate with legal recruiting and practice partners to facilitate efficient associate recruiting.
- Collaborate with the innovation team to assign the right resource to the right task including leveraging innovative solutions to maximize impact on client matters.
Training and Professional Development
- Oversee E&I associate training and professional development.
- Collaborate with partners and CPO to build and lead a robust training program for associates across E&I practice lanes and subsectors.
- Identify associates who need additional or specialized training and coordinate individualized support.
- Drive knowledge management and precedent development and maintenance.
- Support associate retention through direct coaching and check-ins, complementing the associate’s existing mentoring relationships.
- Serve as an ad hoc resource for junior associate questions on E&I matters and occasionally provide quality control on first drafts and guidance before work reaches the supervising partner.
- Help prepare materials for BU events and presentations.
- Help with organization of BU retreats, bootcamps and teach-ins.
Practice Administration
- Initiate ideas for improving profitability of matters, including the efficient allocation of internal resources and staff across client matters & group initiatives.
- Collaborate with Chief Practice Officer to provide review and approval of matter opening requests, fee alerts, non-billable travel, write offs and similar administrative tasks.
- Research, compile data and perform business and financial analysis related to E&I strategic initiatives.
- Assist in oversight of partners’ billing and collection practices throughout the year and in connection with the year-end and periodic billing/collections pushes.
- Provide ad hoc financial analysis (profitability, billing, collections, time entry, utilization, etc.), and collaborate with the Business Operations team on reporting requests.
- Coordinate with records team and relevant timekeepers to facilitate non-partner attorney departures, client file transfers and partner exit procedures.
- Collaborate with and support E&I leaders on practice group communications.
Qualifications
- Strong preference for an individual who has practiced law for at least 4 years in a large law firm or corporate legal department. Significant experience working in Energy & Infrastructure areas preferred.
- Excellent project management, prioritization, attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to effectively collaborate with teams of partners, associates and other professionals at all levels.
- Ability to work efficiently in a matrix environment, which requires frequent collaboration with cross-department teams
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and decision making.
- Demonstrated ability to be discreet and treat confidential information appropriately.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively use technology, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software at an advanced level.
- Ability to deliver strong customer service, commit to meeting deadlines, and multitask in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Exceptional problem solving and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office and financial and data information systems.
- J.D. preferred; MBA or equivalent industry experience considered.
- This role involves occasional travel to attend retreats, bootcamps and other internal meetings.
Compensation and Benefits
The expected salary range for this position is:
- New York City and San Francisco $160,000 - $205,000
- Washington DC $150,000 - $190,000
- Houston $150,000 - $175,000
Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography. Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance.
We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well-being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short- and long-term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits, health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program. This role will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program and paid holidays.
How to Apply: If you are searching for a chance to create an impact, you have a little grit and you love working with a team, we want to talk with you. To submit your resume and cover letter for this position, please visit our Staff and Paralegal Opportunities Listings at www.orrick.com/Careers. Orrick accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled.
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