Legal Administrative Operations Manager - Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Orrick currently has an excellent opportunity for a Legal Administrative Operations Manager. This position can be based in any of our West Coast locations- Los Angeles, Menlo Park, Orange County, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Monica, or Seattle. We are seeking candidates for this position, with a start date scheduled for after January 2, 2025.

The Opportunity:  The Legal Administrative Operations Manager works as part of our national Support Team and is focused on transforming legal support services to create a better experience for our clients, our lawyers, and our entire team. This role is instrumental in driving innovation and streamlining administrative operations within the Support Team. The Legal Administrative Operations Manager will assist with the implementation of process and technology integration, fostering a culture of innovative thinking, and identifying pain points and solutions. The Legal Administrative Operations Manager will have management responsibility for one or more teams within the Support Team. The Legal Administrative Operations Manager acts as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and teamwork, inspiring team members to emulate these qualities. This role is a key part of the firm’s strategy to deliver an enhanced client experience and demonstrate operational efficiency.

PROCESS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Work with stakeholders and team members to implement process improvements that streamline workflows, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
• Communicate with stakeholders and team members to ensure they are aware of process improvements and changes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define special project requirements, objectives, and success criteria. Monitor project progress, identify potential risks, and work with stakeholders to develop mitigation plans.
• Lead and manage projects that focus on the integration of legal tech tools, AI, and automation to optimize operations. Demonstrate top-tier project management capabilities.
• Maintain accurate documentation of processes and improvement initiatives, including standard operating procedures, process maps, and project plans. Train staff on new processes and systems to ensure successful implementation and adoption.
• Work with cross-functional teams to ensure that processes are coordinated across departments and that handoffs are smooth and efficient.
• Maintain excellent cross-functional relationships.
• Work closely with Legal Innovation and Operations Managers and the Head of the Support Team to implement new processes and procedures.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for the Support Team.
• Effectively uses, suggests, and connects staff and attorneys to firm resources.

 WORKFLOW AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Oversee the flow of work within the Support Team, ensuring that priorities are set, deadlines are met, and resources are efficiently utilized.
• Implement strategies to optimize productivity and minimize bottlenecks.
• Conduct regular team meetings and one-on-one sessions to address concerns, share updates, and foster a sense of belonging.
• Supervise and manage day-to-day activities of assigned staff in the Support Team.
• Approve overtime as necessary to meet business objectives.
• Drive a culture of inclusivity, continuous improvement and teamwork. Provides support and guidance for those on assigned teams; serve as a mentor.
• Maintain a hands-on approach with the readiness to jump in and work alongside their assigned teams as needed.
• Actively seek and implement feedback from attorneys on the services the Support Team provides.
• Oversee special projects, including providing staffing. Ensure understanding of deadlines, assignments, and objectives.
• Monitor ServiceNow to ensure even distribution of work within your team to ensure efficiency, proper delegation and use of technology, cohesiveness, collaboration, and high-quality support.
• Provide continuous and real time feedback and complete required reviews for assigned team members.
• Collaborate with HR business partners on performance counseling and people management.

DATA & TECHNOLOGY

• Use data to understand the pace, intensity, performance, skillset, and technology aptitude of team members.
• Take part in evaluation and selection of new technologies. Assist with implementation, roll-out and adoption.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies to ensure that processes and offerings are state-of-the-art.
• Identify opportunities for automation of routine tasks.

 All other duties as assigned.

• BA/BS degree (or commensurate work experience).
• At least 5 – 7 years’ experience working in the legal industry. At least 3 - 5 years of experience leading teams, preferably paralegal, administration, or operations teams is strongly preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with diverse teams.
• Track record of building rapport and strong working relationships with business stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience driving others towards deadlines and deliverables, preferred.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams; the ability to challenge and influence the status quo when required and effectively manage business expectations.
• Ability to work independently and make independent decisions, with limited supervision.
• A strong sense of accountability, comfort with ambiguity and changing priorities, and ability to take ownership of projects and tasks.
• A demonstrated proactive, solutions-oriented approach to service.
• Working knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, and documentation.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with an ability to multitask and prioritize effectively.
• Experience in a dynamic, high intensity environment that requires flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
• A positive and proactive attitude with a commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Who is Orrick? Orrick is a global law firm focused on serving the technology & innovation, energy & infrastructure and finance sectors. Founded more than 150 years ago in San Francisco, Orrick today has offices in 25+ markets worldwide. We are recognized worldwide for delivering the highest-quality legal advice through our diverse teams and for our culture of innovation and collaboration.  Financial Times selected Orrick as the Most Digital Firm of 2020, and in the past five years, the Most Innovative Law Firm of the Year three times and runner-up twice. For the ninth year in a row, Fortune named Orrick to its 2024 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.  Learn more about our awesome employee experience here: Fortune 100 Great Place To Work certified company.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is between:

• California Major Markets* $113,000 - $160,000
• National $98,000 - $129,000

* California Major Markets includes San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Monica.  All other California locations fall within National range.

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography.  Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance. 

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurances; robust mental well-being benefits; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short- and long-term disability benefits; a health savings account (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, long-term care insurance, and a 401K program. This role is eligible to employees will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program, generous Parental leave benefits, and paid holidays.

Please visit www.orrick.com for more information about the firm.

How to Apply: If you are searching for a chance to create an impact, you have a little grit and you love working with a team, we want to talk with you. To submit your resume and cover letter for this position, please visit our Staff and Paralegal Opportunities Listings at www.orrick.com/Careers. Orrick accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled. 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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