Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson Inc, Sparks

Practice Manager - IP Department & IP Litigation Practice Group

Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in professional services or legal environment preferred
  • 3+ years management experience required
  • Bachelor's Degree required
  • Strong interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse teams
  • Excellent project and organizational skills for managing multiple responsibilities
  • Proficient problem solver capable of working independently under pressure
  • Effective communication skills, both written and verbal

Responsibilities

  • Manage staffing for IP attorneys across assigned offices with a focus on matching work to experience levels
  • Collaborate on onboarding and training for junior and lateral associates
  • Support the execution of department strategic plans and prepare monthly productivity reports
  • Provide operational support including meeting planning and administrative tasks
  • Assist in business development efforts and coordinate department events
  • Oversee the Technology Specialist Program and manage workloads effectively
  • Lead the IP Paralegal group, conducting performance reviews and promoting team collaboration

Benefits

  • Collaborative and respectful work environment
  • Hybrid work schedule available
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) plan with company match and profit-sharing
  • Paid time off and holidays
Full Job Description
Job Description

About the Role

Are you an operationally minded people leader who enjoys connecting talented attorneys with meaningful work and helping a sophisticated practice run smoothly? As Practice Manager for the Intellectual Property Department and IP Litigation Practice Group, you'll oversee day-to-day operations across assigned offices, with a particular focus on matching attorneys to the right assignments, advancing their development, and strengthening the relationships that hold a busy practice together. Additionally, you will be responsible for directly managing IP Paralegals and Technology Specialists.

Working in close partnership with Department and Practice Group leadership, Legal Personnel, and the broader Practice Management team, you'll serve as a central point of coordination across the firm's legal and administrative functions. The role requires sound judgment, discretion, and a steady hand in supporting attorneys, paralegals, and technology specialists alike.

What You Will Be Doing
  • Work Allocation & Attorney Development: Manage billable and pro bono staffing for IP Department and IP Litigation attorneys across assigned offices, partnering with Practice Management to balance cross-office demand. Match assignments to each attorney's experience level and growth goals, spanning counsel, senior associates, and associates. Reassign matters during attorney absences and assist with administration of extended leave policies to keep client work moving without disruption.
  • Training & Professional Development: Collaborate with the Development and Training team and practice leaders to support onboarding and orientation for junior associates and lateral hires as well as design and deliver formal programs for counsel, senior associates, and associates.
  • Department Strategy & Reporting: Help execute Department and Practice Group strategic plans, prepare monthly productivity reporting for Department Leaders, Practice Group Leaders, and the Chief Practice Management Officer, and lead special projects assigned by the IP Department Director.
  • Operational & Administrative Support: Provide hands-on support to IP Department and IP Litigation leadership in assigned offices, including meeting planning, retreat logistics, follow-through on firmwide initiatives, and other duties as needed.
  • Business Development & Marketing: Contribute to pitches, RFPs, CLE programming, lateral partner integration, and department events, and help coordinate activities involving department members.
  • Technology Specialist Program: Oversee the Technology Specialist Program, assigning work that supports professional growth, reassigning projects during leaves, and holding regular check-ins to review workload and resolve administrative issues.
  • Paralegal Management: Lead assigned IP Paralegal group(s) and, in partnership with the IP Department Director and Human Resources, own performance management for the team. This includes completing performance reviews on schedule, addressing performance concerns and policy issues (including time entry and in-office work policies), and conducting regular check-ins. Promote cross-office collaboration and staffing flexibility, and ensure team goals are met efficiently.


Required Skills

What You Will Bring to This Position
  • Interpersonal Skills: A collaborative style that works equally well with attorneys, staff, and peer administrators.
  • Project & Organizational Skills: Strong ability to plan, prioritize, and juggle a broad mix of responsibilities at once.
  • Problem Solving & Initiative: Comfort identifying issues, developing solutions, and working independently under deadline pressure.
  • Communication: Clear, polished written and verbal communication skills.
  • Judgment & Discretion: A track record of handling sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism.


Required Experience

  • At least five years in a professional services or legal environment preferred, including a minimum of three years experience managing people.
  • Minimum three years' management experience required.

Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree required.


Why Join Us?
  • A values-driven firm that fosters collaboration and respect
  • The hiring range for this position is $164,500 - $205,600 annually, with final compensation based on experience, qualifications and internal equity.
  • This position is eligible for a Hybrid Schedule
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match and profit-sharing options
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • For additional information about our benefits, please click here


This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees in the position. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills for positions. The firm reserves the right at all times, in its sole discretion, to add or subtract duties and responsibilities, as it deems necessary.

About Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson Inc, Sparks

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (JMT) is an engineering and architecture firm that provides a range of services, including transportation planning and design, environmental engineering, construction management, and surveying. The company serves clients in the transportation, environmental, and construction industries, as well as government agencies and municipalities. JMT is headquartered in Sparks, Maryland, and has offices throughout the United States. The company was founded in 1971 and has grown to become one of the largest engineering firms in the country. JMT is committed to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including the use of renewable energy sources and the implementation of green building practices.
Learn more about Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson Inc, Sparks
Size
1,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1971

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