Description
TITLE OF POSITION: Legal Practice Manager
DEPARTMENT: Legal
REPORTS TO: Deputy Director and Managing Attorneys
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
LOCATION: Boulder, CO (hybrid position, must be located within commutable distance of the office)
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a non-profit national Indian law firm representing Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals in Indian law matters of major significance. NARF’s main office is in Boulder, Colorado, with additional offices in Washington, D.C., and Anchorage, Alaska. NARF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex or gender, sexual orientation or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.
SUMMARY: The Legal Practice Manager is responsible for the execution of the Legal Department’s business needs. This role oversees the internal operations of the department across multiple offices, with a strong emphasis on its strategy, performance objectives, financial needs and responsibilities, work allocation, human resources, and professional development.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Talent Management and Development. Oversee the practice groups and law fellows to ensure a high volume of work is distributed evenly and based on capabilities and availability. Maintain a working knowledge of team utilization, workload, developmental needs and professional development goals. Conduct ongoing financial analysis of overtime spending. Refine training program to address the team’s current needs and areas for growth. Closely monitor workloads, availability, and utilization and alert Deputy Director to areas of concern. Review monthly utilization reports and note any inconsistencies.
- Finance. Works in communication with the Accounting and Finance Department on processes related to legal billing and reporting.
- Human Resources. Coordinate needs assessments for departmental new hires, including attorneys, fellows, law clerks, and paralegals. Work with Human Resources in coordinating onboarding and offboarding efforts to ensure proper integration and continued training and professional development. Oversee the law clerk and extern program.
- Performance Management. Work with Deputy Director to manage attorney evaluation processes, including review of evaluation forms, preparation for discussions of evaluation messages, and ensuring consistency across the group. Leverage knowledge acquired as a result of the evaluation process to focus on emerging issues and establish solutions. Monitor and report on pipeline of senior attorney candidates. Support Deputy Director and Managing Attorneys in internal review and presentation of candidates.
- Management and Reporting. Work with Legal Department management and other professional departments to help identify, develop and drive organizational initiatives. Integrate organization-wide goals into practice group initiatives. Work with Deputy Director, Managing Attorneys, and other relevant business service professionals to develop the group’s strategy and performance objectives, and lead, oversee, drive and ensure the timely execution of initiatives to support such strategy/objectives.
- Operational and Technology Support. Handle the day-to-day operations to ensure the department has the necessary resources and infrastructure to support legal work. This includes coordinating with Office Services for supply procurement and incoming/outgoing mail needs and coordinating with IT for office equipment support and maintenance of databases. In coordination with the IT Department, oversee the adoption and utilization of technology tools and software to streamline legal processes and improve efficiency.
- Administrative Support. Serve as a collaborator to Deputy Director and Managing Attorneys to help minimize managerial and administrative duties. Develop and plan internal practice group events and teambuilding activities, with support from Events Coordinator and Practice Specialist. Work with CSC to assist as needed with issues related to opening new matters and conflicts clearance.
- Fundraising and Communications. Work with the Development Department on proposals and grants as needed; help ensure alignment with practice group’s strategy. Coordinate with the Communications Department on case updates or as information is needed for news stories and publications.
SUPERVISORY DUTIES: None.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of experience, which must include law firm experience; MBA is preferred.
- A minimum of four (4) years of people management experience, including experience with recruiting, hiring, and integrating team members. Supervision of an intern program is a plus.
- Superior analytical skills, with excellent business acumen
- Superior project management experience, including the ability to quickly and proactively identify and analyze problems, develop innovative solutions and deliver results.
- Superior written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing, on a prepared and extemporaneous basis with all levels of attorneys and staff.
- Knowledge and experience with accounting and budgeting principles is preferred.
- Advanced working knowledge of MS Office applications including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, and ability to work in various software applications as needed.
- Ability to prioritize, manage heavy workload and adjust to changing priorities, work independently and as a member of a team, manage multiple projects with specific deadlines, and complete tasks under time pressure as necessary. Ability to use initiative and judgment to accomplish results.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of Native American or Alaska Native culture and history and/or experience working with tribes and tribal business is an additional qualification.
The above is intended to describe the representative content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The salary range is $116,267 to $134,200 annually. This salary range is based on five (5) to fifteen plus (15+) years of experience in the Denver Metro market. Actual salary will depend on years of experience. Generous benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance, and paid time off including vacation leave, sick leave, family leave, and medical/disability leave. Additionally, there is an employer contribution to employee 401K plan, employer paid group life insurance, accident insurance, and short-term and long-term disability insurance.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Complete the application within the NARF Career Center and upload the following documents 1) a cover letter, 2) complete resume, and 3) the names, contact information, and job titles of three professional references.
