Legal Support Supervisor

Perkins Coie is seeking a qualified and dynamic candidate to take on the role of the Legal Support Supervisor responsible for overseeing the Legal Practice Assistants, Legal Executive Assistants and Practice Support Assistants (Business Professionals) ensuring the efficient and accurate delivery of value-added service to internal and external clients on a daily basis. 

In state or out of state travel may be required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

These essential functions are primary job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation.

Team Management:

• Direct and lead Legal Practice Assistants, Legal Executive Assistants and Practice Support Assistants (Business Professionals).
• Foster professional growth of Business Professionals by offering coaching, guidance, and assistance with developing professional development training plans.
• Optimize office workflow and balance individual workloads for Business Professionals.
• Ensure Business Professionals are adhering to the firm’s best practices and processes for ServiceNow to ensure continued workflow efficiency.
• Assign Legal Practice Assistant and Legal Executive Assistants and lawyers’ pairings in consultation with the Director of Legal Support Services and Regional Business Director/Office Business Director.
• Monitor and approve Business Professional absences, Workday time entries, coordinate paid time off requests, and arrange for back up secretarial support for extended leaves and sabbaticals. 
• Schedule and host regular 1:1 and team meetings with Business Professionals.
• Establish regular check-ins with attorneys to ensure they are receiving the support and work product necessary to meet the needs of their practice.

Human Resources Administration:

• Determine staffing needs as well as interview, screen, and hire applicants.
• Facilitate the onboarding and training process for new Business Professionals.
• Oversee departure process for Business Professionals.
• Conduct performance evaluations and propose salary adjustments, to ensure that our compensation remains competitive within the market.
• Partner with the Director of Legal Support Services and Human Resources to ensure office compliance with labor laws and State and City mandated training.
• Serve as a liaison between lawyers and Business Professionals in human resource matters.
• Communicate and implement Firm policies and procedures.

Training and Development:

• Develop and implement a training program for Business Professionals in collaboration with the Director of Legal Support, ensuring ongoing development in specific practice areas and alignment with the firm's objectives. 
• Partner with other firm departments as a subject matter expert to design and deliver training on new procedures, technologies, and AI tools to enhance efficiency, adaptability and client service. 
• Work with the Director of Legal Support, practice group leaders, and attorneys to identify training needs and tailor programs to address skill gaps and evolving requirements.
• Assist in evaluating training effectiveness, updating content as needed to reflect changes in legal processes, firm policies, and technological advancements. 

Operations:

• Assist the Director of Legal Support Services with reporting of services to ensure the highest levels of efficiency while adhering to best practices and effective utilization of the firm’s resources.  
• Attend Legal Support Supervisor meetings and serve as communication link between department and other departments within the firm.
• Collaborate with Shared Services team to ensure proper allocation of resources and identify training opportunities and performance issues.
• Identify and escalate to the Director of Legal Support Services operation concerns with workflow and work product impacting the ability to deliver exceptional client experience and/or team morale.
• Adhere to the Firm’s Principles by displaying observable behaviors in the seven competency areas fully defined in the Administrative Staff and Management Performance Development Standards.
• Perform other duties, as assigned
• Be present at work during regularly scheduled working hours and as needed in the position, consistent with the Firm’s attendance expectations

SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED

• Strong problem-solving and strategic planning skills to allocate resources effectively, address challenges, and develop actionable plans while balancing business skills with the firm’s objectives.
• Effective decision-making, adaptability and in possession of a proactive approach.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with business professionals and lawyers, and
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in supervising workflows, ensuring timely, high-quality results
• Advanced administrative skills, including managing schedules, coordinating resources, and addressing employee concerns so as to ensure compliance with labor laws.
• Ability to leverage technology to streamline tasks for implementing improvements, delivering exceptional client services and supporting individual and team development.

EDUCATION, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE

Qualified candidates must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, as well as having a minimum of five years’ experience working in a support role or timekeeper capacity in a legal department. Those with at least one year of direct supervisory experience are preferred.   Experience in a law firm environment is required.