Assistant Director: Practice Management - Litigation

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.Responsible for practice group strategic planning, including developing business development strategy, and working with the Firm Practice Leaders (“FPLs”) in the overall management of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice (“Practice Group”). This Practice Group consists of more than 500 attorneys globally. Provides the leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that the Practice Group and its sub-groups are strategically positioned in the market and have the proper operational controls and people systems in place to ensure a highly-functioning practice group that is positioned for long-term viability and success. Essential Functions:Operations - efficient and effective day-to-day management of the PracticeManages the Practice Group operations to optimize quality and efficiency, leverage technology, precedents, and full scope of operational resourcesEnsures firm-wide tools are being fully utilized by the Practice GroupEstablishes and implements best practices, repeatable models, standards, controls, and monitoring proceduresWorks with the FPLs on communication strategies and materials, including driving meeting agendas and action plans to help advance business goals Prepares and manages communication and reporting to the Management Committee and other Firm administration on the Practice Group reporting, priorities, and strategyOversees logistical support for Practice Group internal meetings and eventsShares responsibility with the FPLs for approving BD budget expensesPerforms other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectivesPeople - efficient staffing and proactive resourcingMonitors backlog and new business pipeline to ensure appropriate resources are available to address client workEstablishes lateral partner integration process for the Practice Group, and leads the integration of Global Litigation Practice Group lateral partnersCollaborates with partners, and relevant business functions on paralegal and business services staff performance managementMaintains oversight of the selection and delivery of training provided to the Practice Group, including leading efforts related to associate development and trainingMonitors attorney and paralegal workloads and productivity levels to foster manageable workloads that optimize attorney utilization, support professional development and promote Practice goals and profitabilityAnalyses staffing levels and participates in the recruitment process as neededWorks with the FPLs to ensure attorney engagement and Practice Group culture are considered when planning Practice management activitiesFinancial - strong financial control and reporting at matter and practice levelReviews and analyses the Practice’s monthly Inventory (WIP and AR), approves write offs, supports collections, monitors attorney and paralegal utilisation, and tracks the Practice’s overall financial performance to identify anomalies, and generate proposed solutions for areas of opportunity and/or concernLiaises with Finance department leadership to ensure billing, eBilling, rates, and other financial operations are meeting the needs of the practiceMonitors compliance with fee arrangements and ensures timely billing of each matter in accordance with those arrangementsOversees and manages the Practice Groups’s use of external resources to optimize quality and efficiency, and ensures invoices are received and processed quicklyAccountable for operational budget analysis and recommendations, including monitoring expenses and reviewing monthly budget variancesImprovement - coordinating and driving performance improvementProactively and independently identifies and analyses problems, develops solutions and delivers results - initial focus on addressing administrative operational challenges (including monthly billing process and matter intake), and long-term focus on improving Practice Group profitability and performanceEnhances the experience for top clients by serving as a point of contact for the in-house legal operations team to improve the overall engagement and efficient delivery of legal servicesLeads change management efforts within the Practice through formal communications and informal influence, and works closely with IT and other business teams to identify needs and coordinate development, rollout and training for change initiativesWorks closely with innovation team to identify both internal and client-facing technologies to improve efficiency and enhance firm as a market-leaderLeverages services such as knowledge management, legal project management, innovation, andothers, to support Practice goals and profitabilityGrowth - supporting Practice strategy development and revenue growthWorks with Practice Group leaders and Business Development & Marketing to develop business plans in alignment with the firm’s strategic plan then manage and execute plan goalsCollaborates with the Business Development & Marketing team on RFP responses, pitches, marketing initiatives, thought leadership promotions, research and analysis and competitive intelligence-gathering for strategic planning, competitive firm positioning and business development activitiesSupport Partners with generation of business leads, expansion of existing client matters, and identification and pursuit of cross-selling opportunitiesEducation/Training/Certifications:Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or JD preferredProfessional Experience: Required:Minimum of 6-8 years of related experience Preferred:Experience in operational roles within the legal industryExperience supporting delivery of legal services (as a lawyer or non-lawyer working alongside lawyers)Experience of coordination or leading change in a legal or professional services environmentUnderstanding of legal industryTechnical Skills: Required:Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and ability to learn and work in various software applications as neededPreferred:Strong data and financial analytics skillsetUnderstanding of law firms business services operationsExperience of working with legal technologyPerformance Traits:Strong executive presenceStrong customer service skills and high degree of emotional intelligence, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgement while teaming and navigating a high-performance environmentAbility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where multi-tasking and working across organizational lines is the normComfortable taking input and direction from multiple sources, synthesizing, and finding common ground to ensure key initiatives move forwardSelf-starter with a high level of initiativeStrong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projectsExercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skillsStrong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendorsMaintains confidentiality and exercises discretionDemonstrated leadership and supervisory experienceAble to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficienciesProcess and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skillsAble to set priorities and delegate in an efficient mannerPhysical Requirements:May require travel to other offices as needed The typical pay scale for this position in Chicago is between $182,200 and $242,300, although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate’s education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified.The typical pay scale for this position in New York is between $199,200 and $263,500, although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate’s education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified.The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the application process and/or job interview, please qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.#LI-HYBRID #LI-CVH1

Created: 2025-12-22