Practice Director

Perkins Coie is seeking a qualified, dynamic individual to take on the role of Practice Director, which position will be responsible for the effective oversight and management of the operational, strategic, and financial functions of the individual’s assigned department. The Practice Director will oversee the practice managers who support the department to ensure well-coordinated operational support for the business practice, as well as provide strategic consulting and act as a trusted advisor on a range of business topics to assist practice group leaders in managing the business practice.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

These essential functions are primary job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation.

Operational Management: Identify and develop processes and reporting structures to attain the assigned practice group’s critical missions and goals. Compile, analyze, and present operational information that will promote effective and appropriate action and coordination. Lead in the creation of agendas and analytics for reports to management, practice meetings, firm retreats, and other events as needed. Provide analytics and data to facilitate decision-making in the areas of subgroup management, partner development programs, secondments, and firm committees.

Operational Efficiency & Improvement: Provide oversight and guidance to practice managers on the development of operational plans and process improvements. Analyze monthly financial reports; identify needs and propose solutions. Develop additional information to help improve profitability and operational efficiency on a national scale. Analyze productivity, workload, and operational trends and provide suggestions on areas of improvement. Provide financial forecasts, create efficiency models, and assist practice leaders in developing core strategies and effective plans of action to implement those strategies. Work closely with senior management and select committees to determine the efficiency of the business practice, clients, and matters.

Strategic & Business Planning: Act on behalf of the practice group leaders to ensure business operations run smoothly with minimal chair involvement. Facilitate and conduct/support regular group meetings. Work with chairs to develop business plans in alignment with the firm’s strategic plan then manage and execute on goals. Design, recommend, influence, and execute the business practice retreats. Work with administrative departments to address practice needs and ensure initiatives are in line with the practice’s strategy. Research, identify, develop, and manage special projects and initiatives that impact operational efficiency. Structure and manage practice process for associates and counsel, including the associate annual review process, promotions, lateral non-partner hiring, associate development programs, and the summer program. Coordinate and flag personnel issues for management review, including tracking partner performance, associate performance, and handle out of process lawyers with Management Committee. Help ensure the practice group is focused on supporting the firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts. Provide support continuity and best practices training to new chairs.

Other Responsibilities: Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time, formally or informally, orally or in writing, at the discretion of firm management. This is a hybrid position where the expectation is to work from home three days per week with two days per week in the office as in-person attendance requires. Perform other duties, as assigned. Be present at work during regularly scheduled working hours and as needed in the position, consistent with the firm’s attendance expectations.

SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED

• Thorough understanding of firm resources; techniques for compiling, analyzing, and presenting operational information, practice efficiency metrics, financial forecasts and profitability models while understanding the essential coordination with business development, client account management, personnel development, and other practice-building techniques.
• Strong administrative, management, and leadership capabilities, including the ability to work under limited general direction, identify and initiate actions while providing operational, strategic, and tactical guidance to practice group leaders.
• Ability to rapidly analyze issues, anticipate consequences, make decisions, and take action.
• Provide visionary and strategic operational leadership coupled with technical and professional knowledge.
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in all basic business functions of a law firm, including operations, process improvement, and analysis.
• Ability to anticipate issues, identify alternatives, recommend and implement effective courses of action.
• Ability to communicate complex information and ideas successfully and effectively to all levels of personnel, frequently without prior preparation.
• Manage and direct a staff of any size as well as individuals from other departments working with the practice management function on multiple projects.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Qualified candidates must have a business degree with a minimum of 10 years of successful experience in business administration or management, preferably with a large, multi-office law firm operating a practice group structure, including increasing responsibilities in operational analysis, financial forecasting, developing new business strategies, or equivalent. Candidates with an MBA or JD are preferred.

At Perkins Coie, we look for self-motivated individuals dedicated to providing value and superior service and who have a high degree of integrity and enthusiasm for their work. We have created a company culture based on collaboration, devotion to serving our clients, and mutual respect. Perkins Coie is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion both within the firm and throughout our collective communities. Work with one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and receive great health insurance, tuition reimbursement, and paid sabbaticals. 

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the California Fair Chance Act.