Practice Manager - Intellectual Property

About the position At Haynes and Boone, our people are the driving force behind our success. Because we value the role every individual plays in how we deliver exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships and share in our success. Haynes and Boone is one of the largest law firms in Dallas, and it continues to grow. In 2023, Haynes and Boone moved its headquarters to a new 27-story office tower in the Harwood District of uptown Dallas. Lawyers in our Dallas office serve all the firm’s practice and industry areas – including corporate, litigation, banking/finance, insurance law, healthcare law, labor and employment, estate planning, real estate, bankruptcy, intellectual property, white collar crime, and antitrust. Our Dallas lawyers are widely recognized in their practice areas in publications such as The Best Lawyers in America directory (Woodward/White, Inc.) and the Chambers USA legal directory (Chambers & Partners). This office attracts high-energy, technically proficient people who enjoy working in a collegial environment. We are committed to having an inclusive workforce that reflects our communities, and we seek highly motivated lawyers and staff who value our culture of respect and teamwork. Haynes Boone, a global law firm, is seeking an experienced Practice Manager – Intellectual Property to support strong financial performance and operational excellence across select client relationships. The Practice Manager will work collaboratively with firm leadership, relationship partner(s), and in-house client representatives to ensure matters are staffed and managed in a way that maximizes value for clients and generates sustainable profitability for the firm. This comprehensive support requires a sophisticated understanding of law firm economics, accounting, and operations; strong relationship and communication skills; and a high degree of professionalism and business judgment.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a strategic partner to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and relationship partner(s) on the financial and operational management of key client relationships
• Analyzes matter economics, pricing structures, staffing models, and key metrics (including utilization, realization, leverage, margin, and collections) to improve profitability and client value
• Manages client reporting requirements (including calendared deadlines and expectations)
• Proactively coordinates client-related research; collects, analyzes, and synthesizes data to provide relevant information and support to COO and relationship partner(s) for informed and strategic decision-making to sustain and grow client relationships
• Assists with monthly data reporting to ensure accurate and timely client deliverables; coordinates with different departments to ensure seamless communication and project execution
• Supports the COO and relationship partner(s) with the implementation of projects and overall project management of key projects within scope, time, and budget
• Develops and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to track organizational progress and prepare status and outcome reports for stakeholders
• Assist with the design and implementation of processes and the launch of new tools, technologies, and initiatives to support a profitable client relationship
• Participates in client meetings to discuss budgets, performance, scope management, and financial expectations
• Supports the Chief Financial Officer and COO in budgeting, forecasting, and margin management of select client matters
• Coordinates with internal and external stakeholders for seamless communication, serving as a primary point of contact on behalf of the COO and/or relationship partner(s)
• Coordinates with Talent functions and section leadership to proactively identify and support recruitment needs, training opportunities (including Continuing Legal Education and secondments), performance management, and retention needed to sustain growth of client relationships
• Proactively identifies risks to profitability and implements corrective strategies
• Acts as a trusted business advisor for partners on practice management and pricing strategy

Requirements

• At least five years of experience leading, supervising, and managing a team, preferably in a large law firm or professional services environment
• Experience working collaboratively to drive strategic initiatives, efficiencies, and daily operations to support successful client relationships and profitability
• Strong familiarity with law firm operations, financial data analysis, and workflows
• Proven track record of identifying issues, developing recommendations, and implementing solutions
• Experience working directly with senior partners and sophisticated clients in high-stakes, professional settings
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, and written skills; comfortable interacting with clients, lawyers, and professionals at all levels of leadership
• Sound judgment and a high degree of trustworthiness; professional discretion to handle sensitive client matters
• Ability to work independently with multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, and adjusting priorities as needed
• Strong analytical and project management skills; advanced proficiency in Excel (database analysis and manipulation) is required
• Exceptional data entry skills with a high degree of accuracy, efficiency, attention to detail, and quality of work
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is required

Nice-to-haves

• CPA, MBA, JD, or equivalent is preferred

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