Practice Group Manager – Disputes

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 London, the Practice Group Manager – Disputes will be responsible for supporting day-to-day operation of the group, as well as the development and implementation of the group’s strategic initiatives, in collaboration with practice group and firm leadership. The London Disputes PGM is a key piece of the firm’s business services function and will join a growing practice management team collectively responsible for supporting practice leaders in the management of their groups, including through: (1) serving as information conduits to support cross-department and cross-office initiatives and projects; (2) strategic planning, reporting, and meeting management; (3) talent management; (4) supporting the firm’s free market system, pipeline development, and productivity goals; (5) developing practice-specific education and trainings; and (6) supporting initiatives and projects in collaboration with a number of firm departments, including Professional Development, Marketing & Client Development, Knowledge Management, Communications, Recruiting, Diversity, Career and Alumni Services, Technology, Human Resources, and Office Administration.

This role reports to the Firm’s Chief Legal Operating Officer, will take daily direction from the London Disputes Practice Leads and will work closely with the Firm’s other Practice Group Managers.

 

Responsibilities include:

• Partnering with marketing, business development, and communications teams to support firm’s business development efforts, including managing external events, rankings and awards submissions, client updates, litigation funders, identification of targets for existing clients and more.
• Managing tracking of all practice specific data including pitches, targets, client outreach, and staffing.
• Working with the practice management team and practice group leadership to develop strategic business goals, objectives, and tactics in alignment with firm strategy.
• Working with practice management team to keep European efforts plugged into the firm and visa vera.
• Developing agendas and driving follow-up for regular partner and group meetings.
• Working collaboratively with peers across the firm’s business support departments to manage initiatives and support business strategies as determined by practice groups.
• Working cross-functionally with professional development and diversity departments to support and promote attorney development and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Supporting the firm’s free market system from both an associate and partner perspective, including by helping lawyers identify appropriate staffing for matters and opportunities for new work.
• Working with practice group leadership to manage talent across the group, including through regular assessments of firm’s recruiting and senior talent pipelines, in coordination with Human Resources development of performance improvement plans, and coordination with attorney review teams.
• Working with the professional development team to develop practice-specific educational trainings and CLE programming.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement and drive follow-through on execution.

Qualifications

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Collaboration and facilitation skills to work with various departments and facilitate their ability to work with each other.
• Ability to work independently and with a team, and to delegate and manage resources effectively. Strong leadership skills to manage and develop a large and geographically dispersed staff.
• Exhibit high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills in exercising independent judgment and making decisions in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment.
• Self-starter with demonstrated instances of taking initiative.
• Comfort with data analysis and reporting, or a willingness to learn.
• Creative thinker who is open to considering multiple approaches to issues and collaborating with other leaders to develop and execute plans.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years relevant practice management or similar experience, preferably within a law firm or legal environment.

 

 

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

Location:

London

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.