Paralegal Manager

$125,000 - $170,000/Yr

Cooley Llp - Washington, DC

Full-time - Manager

Washington, DC

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Cooley is seeking a Paralegal Manager to join the Paralegal Management team. The Paralegal Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of regional assigned case assistants, paralegals (including senior/specialist levels), and regulatory analysts. This role requires close collaboration with the Director of Paralegal Management & Docket, as well as regular interaction with practitioners, department managers, and other business professionals to assess the needs of paralegals and analysts. The Paralegal Manager will also assist the Director and other members of the paralegal management team with firmwide-related projects as needed. Specific duties and responsibilities include managing the recruiting process for case assistant paralegals and regulatory analysts in assigned regions or offices, overseeing workload coordination for corporate and litigation departments, and assisting the Director with hiring decisions, promotions, disciplinary actions, and terminations of direct reports. The Paralegal Manager will play a lead role in developing and coordinating departmental supplemental orientation and training programs for direct reports, and will work closely with the Director to manage the evaluation processes for case assistants and paralegals. Additionally, the Paralegal Manager will monitor expenses for their assigned region(s) and report budget variances to the Director monthly. They will ensure compliance with all firm policies, especially regarding risk management, and will observe and report on trends and market issues related to case assistants, paralegals, and regulatory analysts, proposing recommendations as necessary. The role also involves providing mentoring and direction to direct reports, maintaining a positive working environment, and conducting monthly meetings with direct reports, including training sessions for corporate and litigation departments. The Paralegal Manager will review monthly billable hours reports and discuss any areas of concern with the Director, attend practice group meetings, and serve as a direct supervisor and mentor to their team.

Responsibilities

• Manage case assistant paralegal (all levels) and regulatory analyst recruiting process for assigned region(s)/offices
• Oversee corporate and litigation department/practice group workload coordination for assigned region(s)/offices
• Assist Director with hiring decisions, promotion recommendations, disciplinary actions, and terminations of direct reports
• Play a lead role in the development and coordination of departmental supplemental orientation and training programs for direct reports
• Lead the management of the case assistant/paralegal evaluation processes
• Monitor expenses for assigned region(s)/offices direct reports and report budget variances to the Director on a monthly basis
• Ensure uniform compliance with all firm policies, especially risk management
• Observe and report on case assistant, paralegal and regulatory analyst trends and market issues to Director and propose recommendations
• Provide mentoring, advocacy, and direction to direct reports
• Maintain a positive working environment that promotes productivity, employee retention, excellence, cooperation, and high morale
• Assist Director with the management of MCLE programs for direct reports
• Conduct monthly meetings with direct reports, including training for corporate and litigation departments
• Review monthly billable hours reports for direct reports by region(s)/offices, and discuss with Director
• Attend practice group meetings
• Serve as direct supervisor and mentor to direct reports
• Provide day-to-day supervision of direct reports, ensure compliance with assigned work hours and monitor for compliance with all firm and department policies
• Manage staffing coverage, review and process time logs/time off requests
• Support business professional development and continued educational opportunities
• Participate in hiring, performance appraisals, counseling, termination and other employee lifecycle events

Requirements

• 5+ years direct applicable experience (e.g., corporate or litigation paralegal)
• Eligible for consideration of Senior designation with 7+ years applicable experience in the field
• 2+ years of management experience in relevant roles
• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
• Ability to travel, as required

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree
• Management/supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Experience as a paralegal in a medium to large law firm

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Health savings account (with applicable medical plan)
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Life insurance
• AD&D
• Long-term care coverage
• Backup care for children and/or adults
• Parental support benefits
• 21 days of Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 10 paid holidays each year
• Generous parental leave
• Fertility benefits