Director of Practice Operations (Intellectual Property & Real Estate)

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Honigman is a premier business law firm, based in Michigan with an international practice. Recently recognized in Michigan as one of the 101 Best and Brightest Places to Work, we earned this recognition by recruiting attorneys and staff members with outstanding credentials. Currently, we are looking for an experienced Legal Project Manager in our Detroit or Chicago. In addition to Detroit, we have offices in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Kalamazoo, Chicago, IL, and Washington D.C. With more than 300 attorneys working in 60 different areas of concentration, Honigman provides timely and cost-effective counsel to clients in numerous industries.

The Director of Practice Operations - Intellectual Property & Real Estate will be responsible for leadership and management of the business operations for assigned legal Practice Groups and Departments ("Business Units"). This role will actively engage with Business Unit and administrative department leaders and Partners, in disciplines including but not limited to development and execution of business and strategic plans, financial management, business development and marketing, operations support, talent management, legal service delivery and communications within and outside of the Business Unit. This role will report to the Firm's Chief Practice Operations Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operations and Business Planning

• Engage with Partners in the assessment, development and management of capacities and methods to advance service delivery (e.g., utilization/adoption of technology, knowledge repositories, staffing platforms, processes, professional training).
• Research and advise on best practices in the delivery of legal services and make practical recommendations for improvement. Once agreed upon ensure full implementation.
• Partner with legal project management teams (e.g., FOCUS, LPM) in developing and augmenting legal capacities within the Business Units.
• Manage processes for the development, execution and refinement of Business Unit plans, performance objectives, and strategic goals, including monitoring and reporting progress against those targets.
• Collaborate with Partners in the formulation and implementation of their individual business plans, including alignment with the objectives of their respective Business Unit(s).
• Participate in the development, management and monitoring of performance against matter management plans.
• Liaise with operations leadership and colleagues in the development and application of business support platforms, policies and practices.
• Facilitate communication across practice groups to proactively identify organizational
• issues and help to identify solutions.
• Organize, schedule, set agendas and prepare for practice group meetings including practice group attorney meetings, partner meetings, and retreats.

Business Development

• Collaborate with assigned business development and marketing resources in the delineation and execution of revenue management and growth strategies of the Business Units and industry sector initiatives, and corresponding alignment with Firm goals.
• Perform and/or support competitive analysis to inform business planning and management of Business Units.
• Support Business Unit participation in Firm client feedback and management programs, and industry initiatives.

Finance

• Work with the finance team and Business Unit leadership in the development of budgets and periodic forecasts.
• Implement financial content and analysis to inform and assist Business Unit leadership in managing the economics of the business (e.g., profitable revenue growth, expense controls, profitability analysis, pricing/fee structures, and client/matter management).
• Engage with Responsible/Billing Attorneys and the finance team to manage inventory cycle turnover, client/matter budgets, billing rate/fee structure management and fee realization.

Recruiting and Professional Development

• Liaise with AD&R and HR teams to formulate and execute recruiting and integration plans for attorney and non-attorney personnel.
• Provide support for performance feedback and management processes, compensation determinations, pipeline and career track management.
• Engage with professional development personnel in the formulation and execution of plans to advance awareness and utilization of the professional development framework and adoption of pertinent training content.

Firm

• Lead and champion Firm change initiatives and communicate within Business Units.
• Foster an inclusive environment where all team members have opportunities to succeed.
• Serve as a leader within the operations team, and Business Unit representative in Firm meetings.

Other Operating Functions

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Ten+ years of relevant experience working in a business/operations capacity in a law firm environment as well as five+ years of management experience.
• Experience in IP Prosecution (Patent & Trademark).
• Experience in Real Estate Law.
• Fulsome understanding of the practice of law, legal industry, and practice operations.
• Very strong leadership, analytical, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel when necessary.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in dealing with a diverse group of professionals.
• Proven ability to foster an inclusive team where everyone has opportunities to succeed.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Experience successfully leading, developing, and managing change management initiatives.
• Proven track record of developing strategic plans and guidance that served to advance organizational growth and performance.
• Ability to quickly understand the Firm s strategic plan and cultural values, including its competitive position, growth plans, client service standards and practice capabilities.
• Strong team orientation and ability to collaborate across business segments and with personnel at all levels of the organization.

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