IP Litigation Practice Manager

Location

  • Open in Boston, Washington, DC, or New York.
  • If based in DC or New York, you will be required to travel to the Boston office every other month

Salary: $153,600 – $192,000

About the Role

  • The wonderful long-tenured Practice Manager retired after 40 years, so the team values stability and consistency.
  • The IP Manager is based in Boston.
  • This is a very senior leadership position reporting to the Department Director.
  • Position requires 4 days on-site a week.

Key Responsibilities

  • Practice management leadership within a law firm (consulting firms with comparable practice management functions will also be considered).
  • Workload allocation is a major component of the role:
    • Assign work to associates, counsel, and other legal professionals.
    • Monitor utilization and prepare workload summaries for firm leadership/executives.
  • Manage a team of 12 direct reports:
    • 6 Paralegals
    • 6 Technology Specialists (primarily located in Boston and New York)

Ideal Background

  • Prior experience in practice management at a law firm is strongly preferred.
  • Open to candidates from consulting firms with relevant practice management experience.
  • Litigation experience is more important than IP experience—IP experience is not required.
  • Minimum 3+ years of people management experience.

Work Environment

  • Not a typical 9–5 role.
  • Occasional issues arise outside normal business hours that require timely responses and decision-making.

We are partnering with a prestigious international law firm to identify an experienced Practice Manager to support its Intellectual Property Department and IP Litigation Practice. This is an excellent opportunity for a strategic, operationally focused leader who enjoys managing people, balancing attorney workloads, and partnering with firm leadership to drive practice operations.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative professional with experience in legal or professional services practice management who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys developing attorneys and professional staff while ensuring the practice operates efficiently.

Responsibilities

  • Manage attorney staffing and workload allocation across multiple offices, balancing billable and pro bono assignments while supporting attorney development.
  • Partner with practice leadership to align work assignments with attorneys’ experience levels and career growth objectives.
  • Coordinate attorney coverage during absences and assist with workload planning related to leaves of absence.
  • Support onboarding, orientation, and ongoing professional development programs for associates, counsel, and lateral hires.
  • Prepare productivity reports and operational metrics for department leadership.
  • Assist with strategic initiatives, departmental planning, and special projects.
  • Coordinate department meetings, retreats, and other administrative initiatives.
  • Support business development efforts, including pitches, RFP responses, CLE programs, lateral integration, and client events.
  • Directly manage a team of paralegals and technology specialists, including performance management, coaching, workload allocation, hiring support, and professional development.
  • Foster collaboration across offices and ensure resources are utilized effectively to meet client needs.
  • Partner with Human Resources and firm leadership on employee relations, performance reviews, and policy administration.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • 5+ years of experience in a law firm or other professional services environment.
  • Minimum of 3 years of direct people management experience.
  • Experience with practice management, attorney staffing, legal operations, or similar leadership responsibilities is strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated success managing workloads, projects, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
  • Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
  • High level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential matters.

Why You’ll Love This Opportunity

  • Join a highly respected international law firm with a collaborative and people-focused culture.
  • Play a key leadership role in influencing attorney development and department operations.
  • Competitive compensation ranging from $153,600 to $192,000, depending on experience.
  • Hybrid work schedule.
  • Outstanding benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), profit sharing, generous paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

If you’re an experienced practice management professional looking to make an impact within a sophisticated legal environment, we’d love to hear from you.

in Boston, Hybrid Model, New York City, NY, Washington, DC