What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Support Manager position at Plona Partners?
A global AmLaw firm is seeking an experienced Legal Support Manager to oversee its Legal Support Services team across one of several U.S. offices. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in large law firm operations and enjoys building high-performing administrative teams that directly support attorneys and clients.
You'll serve as the operational leader responsible for the firm's legal assistants, partnering closely with Office Administration, Human Resources, and firm leadership to ensure exceptional client service, balanced workloads, employee development, and operational excellence. If you've managed legal support professionals within a large law firm and are ready to influence strategy while leading people, this is an outstanding opportunity to join one of the most respected firms in the world.
Compensation: $140,000 - $170,000
Location: ATL/BAL/BOS/MIA/NY/PHI/DC - 3 days onsite
As the Legal Support Manager, you'll oversee the daily operations of the Legal Support Services team while driving efficiency, collaboration, and exceptional service delivery.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Legal Support professionals across your assigned office.
- Manage staffing levels, workload distribution, and utilization to ensure balanced attorney support.
- Coordinate overflow work, backup coverage, and cross-functional collaboration between administrative departments.
- Partner with Office Administration, Human Resources, and firm leadership on operational initiatives and workforce planning.
- Recruit, interview, onboard, train, and mentor Legal Support professionals.
- Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching, and develop career growth opportunities for team members.
- Address employee relations matters, including performance management, attendance, coaching, documentation, and disciplinary processes.
- Manage timekeeping, scheduling, vacation approvals, and staffing coverage for absences and leaves of absence.
- Monitor overtime utilization and assist with department budgeting and resource planning.
- Assign Legal Support professionals to new attorneys and practice groups while maintaining appropriate staffing ratios.
- Coordinate departmental meetings, training initiatives, and ongoing professional development programs.
- Participate in office-wide and firmwide operational projects focused on enhancing Legal Support Services.
What We're Looking For
Successful candidates will bring a combination of leadership experience, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of law firm support functions.
Ideal qualifications include:
- Significant experience managing Legal Assistants, Legal Secretaries, Practice Assistants, or Legal Support Services within a large law firm.
- Proven experience leading teams, coaching employees, and driving performance improvement.
- Strong understanding of legal support workflows, attorney support models, staffing ratios, and administrative operations.
- Experience partnering with Human Resources on recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and employee relations.
- Exceptional organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Ability to balance competing priorities while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced legal environment.
- Strong financial awareness, including overtime management, staffing utilization, and departmental budgeting.
- High emotional intelligence with the ability to influence attorneys, business professionals, and firm leadership.
Salary : $140,000 - $170,000