Senior Client Account Specialist

Overview

Cleary Gottlieb is a pioneer in globalizing the legal profession. We have fourteen offices in major financial centers around the world, but we operate as a single, integrated global partnership and not a U.S. firm with a network of overseas locations. The firm employs approximately 1,100 lawyers from more than fifty countries.

Since 1946, our lawyers and staff have worked across practices, industries, jurisdictions, and continents to provide clients with simple, actionable approaches to their most complex legal and business challenges, whether domestic or international. We support every client relationship with intellectual agility, commercial acumen, and a human touch.

This is a high-visibility, high-ownership role for a billing and collections professional who wants true end-to-end accountability for a partner's book of business. The Senior Client Account Specialist is the dedicated financial partner to their assigned partners, owning the full billing and collection lifecycle. Reporting to the Client Account Manager, you will be the go-to expert and trusted advisor for your partners, driving results that directly impact the Firm's realization and cash flow.

This is an opportunity to build deep, strategic relationships with partners and Firm leadership, to be seen as an indispensable member of their team, and to take full ownership of a significant and visible portfolio. You will collaborate closely with partners and practice group leaders, as well as Finance teams including Client Reporting and Revenue Operations to: (i) ensure the timeliness and accuracy of bills and secure prompt payment;

(ii) ensure compliance with client outside counsel guidelines, rates aligned with client agreements, and other client-specific considerations before billing; and (iii) respond effectively and accurately to partner and client requests. If you thrive on ownership, enjoy being a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, and want a role where your impact is immediately visible, this is the opportunity for you.

Responsibilities

Own and drive the billing and collection process end to end, ensuring accurate and timely invoicing and payment of clients for your assigned partners, practice groups, and/or offices.

Monitor assigned partners’ monthly aging AR reports and take appropriate action to ensure each invoice is paid on time and in full; direct teams to follow-up on underpayments and help drive resolution, as needed.

Update key finance reports (e.g., projection amounts, clear and concise billing or AR comments) daily, to ensure timely and high-quality reporting for Senior Management.

Take ownership of more complex billing scenarios, ensuring a timely and accurate billing and collections process throughout.

Proactively follow-up with partners and escalate any billing or collection issues or delays.

Respond to billing and AR inquiries; prepare accurate bills including narrative descriptions, transfers and on account applications, with high attention to detail. Act as a trusted advisor to your assigned partners by interpreting and influencing their approach through meticulous review of their SOE, and by understanding the billing arrangement and billing frequency of each matter and client.

Obtain and review Engagement Letters and Outside Counsel Guidelines to support adherence to client requirements; review timekeeper diaries and costs to ensure compliance with client outside counsel guidelines.

Collaborate with internal clients and other finance teams, such as Pricing Operations and ebilling, to ensure accurate client invoices, submission requirements, and reporting.

Coordinate and lead regular UBT/AR meetings with your assigned partners regularly (e.g., at least once a month), serving as their primary…