Legal Support Manager

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

The Legal Support Manager, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, works closely with the Office Administrator to supervise the various Legal Support Services Teams (LSST) in their respective office(s) to ensure smooth workflow, workload coordination and attorney-client service. Provides overall supervision and direction to LSST for respectively assigned office(s).

This position can sit in our Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, or Washington DC office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

• Manage day-to-day activities of LSST. Coordinate workload and utilization of LSST (individuals and teams), coordinate overflow assistance and inter-department coordination to ensure the overall smooth operation of assistant work and document processing. Coordinate backup and overflow assistance as necessary.
• Serve as liaison between administrative departments and between timekeepers and LSST.
• Communicate and administer firm policies and procedures as they relate to LSST members.
• Monitor daily absences and arrange substitute staffing, as needed, and approve vacation requests.
• Process and approve timecards for all LSST members.
• Propose and monitor budget for LSST members and overtime; ensure overtime is kept to a minimum.
• Report all leave and FMLA issues to Human Resources; arrange coverage for leaves of absence.
• Monitor LSST staffing levels to keep in line with firm's ratio plan. Provide/adjust work assignments for any LSST member as necessary.
• Assigning LSST to new incoming timekeepers.
• Recruit and interview LSST members for open assignments; assist in the training, orientation and mentoring of new LSST members on firm procedures and resources.
• Prepare evaluations on all LSST members; solicit proper feedback throughout the year; propose annual salary increases. Monitor, review and evaluate LSST performance. Make LSST members aware of job expectations, how they are performing and where further development is needed. Work with HR and timekeepers to resolve performance problems and issues/concerns that arise.
• Coach, mediate and document all LSST member performance, attendance and conduct issues as needed; bring discipline issues to the attention of the Office Administrator and HR. Follow up on discipline issues.
• Arrange and conduct LSST meetings as needed; coordinate training and other similar events for all LSST members; ensure that LSST members receive and participate in all required training.
• Participate in the orientation process for all incoming LSST members and timekeepers.
• Participate in a variety of firm projects related to Legal Support Services; other duties as assigned.

Excellent communication, strong computer and interpersonal skill sets required to interact with LSST members and timekeepers on a daily basis. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Must maintain confidentiality and demonstrate good judgment. Must have strong organizational and problem-solving skills to interpret and resolve issues as they arise. Ability to manage multiple projects and work under pressure. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Prior experience in a legal or professional services management setting, or human resources management preferred.

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Bachelor’s degree.

• 5 years’ executive legal support experience with at least two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and…