Practice Area Manager – Litigation & Dispute Resolution

The role

Clifford Chance US LLP seeks a dynamic and strategic, full time Practice Area Manager to support the Litigation & Dispute Resolution (L&DR) practice across the America region. This senior-level role is instrumental in driving financial and operational performance, ensuring the seamless alignment of strategic priorities with execution. Partnering closely with the regional L&DR Practice Area Leader (RPAL), the Practice Area Manager will engage with key stakeholders, including fee earners and Business Professionals at all levels, to optimize practice performance, enhance operational efficiency, and foster collaboration.

As a core member of the Americas L&DR Management Team, this role will oversee the day-to-day administration of the practice, focusing on performance management, staffing, internal communications, and resource integration. The Practice Area Manager will play a critical role in supporting leadership decision-making and ensuring the practice remains agile and well-positioned for continued success.

This position reports to the Regional Chief Operating Officer- Americas and the Global Practice Area Manager – L&DR, offering a unique opportunity to influence and shape the strategic direction of the practice across the region.

Key responsibilities

Commercial Performance & Awareness

• Oversee working capital efficiency by monitoring pricing, WIP, billing, and collections. Collaborate with partners and finance teams to resolve key issues and reduce lockup days to meet targets.

• Assist RPAL in developing business plans, budgets, and forecasts, leveraging financial modeling and working with regional leadership.

• Deliver training and tailored guidance on profitability, pricing, AFAs, and financial best practices. Analyze and share financial insights to inform partner decisions.

• Support strategic growth initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams (e.g., Marketing/BD). Monitor expenses and escalate concerns to promote financial discipline.

Human Resources

• Serve as the central point of contact for the practice area, fostering collaboration, breaking down silos, and supporting RPALs in oversight and management.

• Assist in Partner appraisals, advise on associate performance, monitor time entry compliance, and support talent pipeline management.

• Track utilization and work distribution, providing process improvements as needed.

• Assess hiring needs, evaluate candidates, collaborate with the recruiting team, and participate in interviews.

• Recommend and coordinate legal, technology, and management training in partnership with the Professional Development/Attorney Development team.

Operations

• Drive process and efficiency improvements, supporting implementation and adoption across the practice area.

• Promote and embed best practices to enhance operational effectiveness.

• Align Legal Project Management efforts with practice area goals and advocate for their value in key matters and projects.

• Ensure adherence to Firm requirements (e.g., time entry, training completion) and escalate potential issues as needed.

• Maximize the impact of practice area resources, including technology and new systems, to support Firm objectives.

Strategic Advisor

• Act as a strategic advisor to the RPAL and key stakeholders, supporting practice area oversight and leadership engagement. Ensure senior stakeholders have the necessary information for effective decision-making.

• Assist in executing and implementing practice area priorities and business initiatives aligned with Firm strategy.

• Develop and refine agendas for Partner meetings, all-hands meetings, and other key discussions, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

Business Development

• Collaborate with practice area stakeholders to understand business development goals, identify growth opportunities, and work with BD to set strategic priorities.

Your experience

• 7-10 years of practice management experience in a law firm or professional services firm.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or project management preferred, MBA a plus.

• Proven ability to develop advisory relationships with senior stakeholders, influence decision-makers, and drive strategic outcomes.

• Strong understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation, and working capital management, with experience optimizing commercial performance.

• Demonstrated expertise in process improvement, legal project management and operational efficiency within a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, prioritize competing demands, and navigate complex personnel and business challenges.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across teams, break down silos, and facilitate internal and external engagement.

• Strong command of Microsoft Office and other relevant technology tools used for practice optimization, performance tracking, and data analysis.

• Ability to operate effectively in an international firm with a global mindset and cross-jurisdictional considerations.

• Ability to work outside the core business hours as needed.

• Must be able to adhere and comply with the Firm's Agile Working Policy which requires employees to work from the office at least three days each calendar week.

• Must be independently authorized to work in the United States.

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $260-300k. Actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

Equal opportunities statement

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.

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