Practice Manager - M&A/Private Equity - Business Services Opportunities

Fried Frank is expanding its Practice Group Management team and seeking talented professionals who will play a key role in the continued growth of the Firm's global, M&A/Private Equity. Working closely with the Practice Group Head(s) (PGHs) and partners of their assigned practice group(s), The Practice Manager will build trust and credibility with each group member, supporting a high-performing and cohesive team across all offices. As a member of the Corporate Practice Group Management team, the position will serve as the primary liaisons to other practice groups and to the Firm's business services functions on behalf of the PGH and practice group. The Practice Manager will be knowledgeable about the practice area, market, and client relationships, and understand how they relate to practice group, Department and Firm priorities. Includes support for the Environmental, Intellectual Property & Technology, and NDA specialist teams who are considered part of the broader M&A/PE practice group.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

Business Planning

• Assists in preparing the annual practice group business plan, managing implementation, monitoring progress and suggesting proactive measures to achieve priorities. Manages strategic initiatives and other projects, including collaborating with Business Development/Marketing to ensure alignment of resources.

 Staffing

• Manages and supports staffing together with the group's staffing Partners and PGHs, ensuring that each attorney (i.e., special counsel and associates) is fully utilized, while balancing client needs with development goals.
• Proactively monitors group activity, including individual attorney activity and client-matter status, to inform staffing.
• Strives to provide consistency of experience and equitable distribution of assignments through development and management of an effective and efficient staffing system.
• Manages work assignment policies, procedures and systems, including work assignment tracking, time-entry compliance, vacation requests/approvals, etc.

Attorney Development and Professional Development

• Develops in-depth understanding of development needs within the group and manages attorney satisfaction and retention initiatives. Prepares and follows through on individual attorney development plans.
• Acts as a confidant for attorneys. Guides and coaches attorneys, and connects them to Firm or other resources.
• Manages all aspects of the review process, including drafting year-end, interim and ad hoc review messages.
• Addresses and monitors performance issues. Liaises with Attorney Resources for personnel and HR matters.
• Manages the attorney compensation process for the group.
• Identifies training needs and develops substantive programs. Manages all aspects of the group's practice-specific training programs, including coordinating CLE requirements with Professional Development.
• Tracks the group's pipeline for promotion. Manages the annual promotion process for the group, including business case development and drafting promotion memos.

Recruiting and Attorney Integration

• Coordinates with Recruiting team regarding entry-level and lateral hiring needs.
• Coordinates onboarding and integration of entry-level and lateral attorneys into the group.
• Supports the integration of lateral partners, including helping to prepare integration plans and facilitating connections within the group and across the Firm.

Administration, Operations and Financial Management

• Maintains attorney rosters, email distribution lists, and other attorney and practice group information.
• Organizes, helps set agenda for and supports Partner meetings; follows through on action items to drive progress.
• Supervises all practice group meeting and training logistics with legal executive assistants and Coordinator.
• Responds to a wide variety of requests. Acts as point person for problem-solving and resolution.
• Monitors group financials and helps to address issues and opportunities. Requests or runs reports and analyzes data to inform decision-making. Manages expense budget.
• Facilitates information-sharing within the group and across the Department. Coordinates with Knowledge Management to support productivity and efficiency through KM projects and practice technology.
• Supervises Practice Coordinator, provides administrative support with respect to the group's paralegals, and coordinates with legal executive assistants who provide meeting/training logistical support.

Communications and Team-Building

• Develops and manages initiatives to create a cohesive team and meaningful connections within the group.
• Coordinates and develops agendas and substantive topics and presentations for practice group meetings.
• Facilitates communication within the group, including proactively developing and managing various practice group communications, e.g., intranet page, email communications and announcements, PGH talking points, practice group presentations, etc.
• Proactively identifies opportunities for and coordinates team-building events and activities in collaboration with the Events team and other Firm resources.

Qualifications:

Education: Undergraduate degree required. J.D. or a graduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., business administration, organizational development, human resources) a plus.

Experience:  5+ years' experience at a professional services firm. Prior experience with law firm or other professional services staffing highly desired. Prior practice management, professional development, or firm management experience in a corporate practice setting is preferred.

Skills and Abilities: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written); strong influencing capabilities; sound judgment to effectively gain credibility and trust. Well-honed financial, analytical, and project management skills, ability to multitask, and track record of strong, demonstrated leadership. An inclusive approach, with the flexibility to build consensus and find creative solutions. Ability to adhere to the highest process standards and stand firm on decisions. Ability to work under pressure and shifting priorities. Integrity, maturity, and fairness in dealing with people and confidential information. Proficiency in Microsoft Office required. Familiarity with Sharepoint (or similar), CRM and timekeeping applications and technology a plus.

This position description is intended to reflect general duties and responsibilities and is not to be interpreted as all encompassing.  Nothing in this job description restricts the Firm's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.