Senior Legal Project Manager

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 New York, the Senior Legal Project Manager will be tasked with strategically planning and generating demand in the US, allocating resources, and implementing best practices for significant mandates. Furthermore, the role involves active participation in client matters, monitoring workstreams, managing budgets, and improving the client experience through effective project management.

This role reports to the Director of Legal Project Management.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients on legal matter management, ensuring clear communication and alignment with client expectations.
• Develop and implement detailed matter plans, including timelines, milestones, and deliverables, to ensure successful matter execution.
• Support and participate in client pitches, delivering a persuasive explanation of how the firm will efficiently manage the project within the specified time, budget, and quality parameters.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including legal teams, clients, and third-party vendors, to ensure seamless matter progress and effective communication.
• Manage resources, balancing workloads and availability, to optimize matter delivery without compromising quality or timelines.
• Identify and assess potential risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies to address matter challenges.
• Track, analyze, and report matter budgets, costs, and resource utilization to maintain financial oversight.
• Prepare regular matter updates, performance metrics, and post-matter analyses to share insights and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, and implement best practices in matter management.
• Work closely with various internal departments such as Finance, Business Development, Technology, and others to ensure effective coordination and alignment on matter requirements, resources, and objectives.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with experience managing relationships and expectations with various stakeholders, including the ability to influence high-value stakeholders.
• Ability to bring new ideas and expertise to navigate a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• A minimum of 7 years in matter management within a law firm, with a strong understanding of legal processes, fee structures, and client service expectations.
• Advanced Excel skills with a proven ability to analyze data, create financial models, and produce insightful reports.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and tools (e.g., MS Project, Asana) is a plus.

 

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 $175-230k. 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.

Location:

New York

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.