Reed Smith LLP
Legal Project Manager
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Position Summary
This position will assist lawyers with exemplary client service through matter management and client management. The LPM is expected to understand the firm's business goals and support lawyers in the efficient delivery of legal services and value to clients. This includes analyzing financial data, creating PowerBI and Excel-based financial reports, utilizing project management methodologies and tools, building client communication tools (such as communication plans, client extranets and dashboards), and offering suggestions and advice for improvement.
The successful candidate will have a keen understanding of legal project management tools and principles and the proper rigor to apply to a given legal matter (or portfolio) to ensure best results and/or drive improvement. The candidate must be able to demonstrate significant intuitive flexibility in the choice and application of various finance, project and legal process management disciplines and tools (depending on the type of engagement), and the real and acknowledged needs for matter management of the legal team.
The candidate must be able to take a long-term view regarding the successful adoption and acceptance of legal project management across the firm. The candidate must be comfortable working with, and leading, teams of partners, associates, and other legal personnel. Additionally, the candidate must be adept at navigating complex, high-pressure environments. The candidate will also interact directly with clients, maintaining and fostering positive relations while working on administrative and legal matters.
Essential Functions
- Assist legal teams in defining project scope, goals and objectives and deliverables that support business needs of the Firm and our clients
- Develop full-scale project timelines, project plans, project charter, process maps, roles and responsibilities chart (“RACI”), communication, risk management plans and reporting templates
- Managing significant client matters involving a number of resources, including client representatives, legal resources, project managers and technology
- Analyze data from Reed Smith financial systems and create PowerBI and/or Excel-based financial reports
- Compare matter progress to budget and convey status to firm attorneys and clients
- Assist with the development of large-scale budget and matter work plans and configure our current matter management system to underpin the execution of the plans
- Estimate the resources needed to achieve project goals and provide input in the budget-creation and matter work plan-creation process
- Consult on the use of pricing methods and alternative fee and value-based billing arrangements as needed
- Consult on the use of alternative staffing approaches and automation where needed
- Define project success criteria and disseminate data to involved parties throughout project lifecycle
- Effectively communicate project expectations and status to firm attorneys and clients in a timely and clear fashion
- Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential risks and devise contingency plans as appropriate
- Manage multiple projects concurrently, juggling priorities, deadlines and essential project management duties for each respective project
- Create and complete internal and external “after action reports” to facilitate the continuous improvement of the execution of our legal project management program and legal work at large
- Build, develop and grow business relationships vital to the success of the project
- Partner with the Firm's Knowledge Management, Pricing, Client Intelligence and Business Development groups to execute strategy and achieve program success
- Conduct training on project management and process improvement both at the firm and client level
- Strategize with Client Value team regarding firm initiatives to drive efficiency and profitability
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Requirements
Education: Undergraduate or MBA degree in finance, management or related business field, Juris Doctor, or equivalent work experience.
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Experience: Minimum 1-2 years' experience in Legal Project Management or similar professional services environment. Willingness to obtain project management or legal project management certification.
Skills: Ability to draft and finalize project management tools and related documents and templates. Computer proficient with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Visio, and Project are required, Power BI preferred. Must be able to learn, understand and apply finance skills and new technologies. Strong written and oral communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to quickly and effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure team –based environment is crucial. Ability to respond appropriately to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Ability to read communication styles of team members and clients who come from a broad spectrum of disciplines. Adept at conducting research into project-related issues and products. Willingness to work remotely with the Global Team and maintain seamless communication.
Experience at working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential. Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior partners, clients and other constituents. Capable of walking the line between controlling and stifling the execution of a legal engagement by pairing the appropriate level of rigor and management to a matter. Ability to respond to project adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently. Ability to welcome change and embraces the challenges and opportunities therein. Ability to bring projects to successful completion while navigating the related political and cultural environments. Ability to be persuasive, encouraging and motivating and to maintain a client-service focus and mindset.
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