Manager, Legal Finance Operations – Trust

Job Summary

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in Los Angeles or Century City, the Legal Finance Operations Manager will assist with overseeing and managing the operational aspects of the legal finance department, with a focus on trust, inventory management and cash application functions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in finance and legal operations, with particular emphasis on managing trust funds and optimizing workflows within the legal department.

This role reports to the Associate Director, Finance.

Responsibilities include:

Trust Fund Management:

• Oversee the administration of all trust accounts. Ensure that all transactions are properly executed, documented, and compliant with fiduciary laws and internal policies.
• Provide supervision, conduct check-ins, and provide feedback to the Trust Accountant.
• Ensure all trust accounts adhere to relevant regulations, including any legal standards that govern fiduciary responsibility.
• Stay current with changes in trust accounting laws and regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Continuously review and improve the trust accounting processes to enhance operational efficiency.
• Inventory management:
• Utilize critical analysis to expertly manage the WIP, A/R, trust and on-account inventories.
• Ensure that on-account balances comply with all applicable jurisdictional rules and regulations.
• Collaborate with and provide direction to Billing and Collections teams to take appropriate actions against inventory amounts.

Cash Application Management:

• Oversee the cash application process, ensuring that incoming payments are accurately applied to client accounts, trust funds, and invoices in a timely manner.
• Provide supervision, conduct check-ins, and provide feedback to the Accounts Receivable Analyst.
• Implement best practices for cash application processes, leveraging automation and technology to improve efficiency.

Qualifications

• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively and collaborate across all levels of lawyers and staff.
• Strong ownership and accountability.
• Ability to identify and solve problems, take initiative and work independently under pressure.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Experience

• Proven experience in trust accounting, with at least 5 years in legal project management, billing, and/or accounting function.
• Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Advanced education or degree is a plus.
• Experience working with legal billing software, particularly in Aderant or Elite (3E), preferred.
• Intermediate or advanced experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

 

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual compensation range for this position is $160-200k. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

Benefits offered for this position include health care; retirement benefits; paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time; parental leave; basic life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; as well as discretionary, performance-based bonuses.

Locations:

Century City, Los Angeles

EEO Statement

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all partners, employees and applicants and, in accordance with the applicable federal and state laws, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, religion, matriculation or political affiliation, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, age, marital status or partnership status, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, personal appearance, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, arrest or conviction record, or on any other basis prohibited by law.