Corporate Practice Specialist

Summary

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is seeking a Corporate Practice Specialist to support its Corporate & Financial Services Department (the “Department”) based in the New York office. The Specialist will report to the Corporate Practice Manager and work collaboratively with Department leadership, including the Department’s Co-Chairs and Assigning Partners, as well as the Professional Development and Legal Personnel teams and other departments at the Firm to help accomplish the Department’s goals. The Specialist will primarily serve as a resource for lawyers in the Department regarding associate staffing as well as other Department needs.

Willkie is an elite international Law Firm with over 1,200 attorneys with 15 offices in six countries. At Willkie, we believe great people are the key to our success. As such, we are offering a highly competitive compensation package with exceptional benefits. If you are looking to work in a friendly, collaborative environment that affords unique opportunities to expand your professional development, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Managing the work allocation process for Corporate associates, including coordinating with partners and other supervising attorneys to identify staffing needs.
• Allocating work to associates in an equitable manner, in line with partner and client needs and associates’ professional development goals.
• Monitoring associates’ workload reports and actual utilization; ensuring associates are completing workload reports and entering their billable and non-billable time in a timely fashion, and regularly conducting check-ins and follow up with associates as necessary.
• Coordinating with associates and partners to ensure appropriate coverage during associate vacations and leaves.
• Analyzing data and preparing reports for Department Co-Chairs and Assigning Partners regarding the staffing function and associate experience.
• Building rapport with and serving as a resource for Corporate associates, understanding their professional development goals, strengths and areas for improvement; liaising with the Corporate Practice Manager, Assigning Partners and Professional Development team as necessary to help resolve issues that affect work experiences.
• Coordinating regular Department staffing meetings for associates with Assigning Partners and others, and helping plan other events, trainings and initiatives to assist with Corporate associate morale and retention efforts.
• Assisting associates in the proper use of Department and Firm resources, including involvement in broadening the skill set and enhancing efficiency of junior lawyers through creation of additional development materials on an as-needed basis.
• Generally supporting the Corporate Practice Manager in developing, overseeing and maintaining knowledge management and information sharing tools, as well as other duties relating to knowledge and practice management and broader Firm initiatives and strategic objectives, including increasing operational efficiencies, creating shared resources and associate training.
• Assisting the Corporate Practice Manager with developing, integrating and administering innovation and technology solutions and applications into the Department’s workflow.
• With Professional Development and Practice Management teams, facilitating onboarding and integration of lateral associates and new law clerks into the Department, ensuring they understand expectations and responsibilities.
• Ensuring cross-office collaboration and integration of associates within the Department.
• Working with the Firm’s Recruiting team, Assigning Partners and Corporate Practice Manager to allocate work to summer associates, and promote the Department to summer associates through training and other initiatives.
• Collaborating with the Department Co-Chairs, Assigning Partners, Corporate Practice Manager, and the Professional Development, Recruiting and Legal Personnel teams (and other departments at the firm that deal with associate life) to share best practices and associate feedback.
• Advising and participating in the development of tools and systems to support staffing efficiency and processes.
• Anticipating and proactively managing other related tasks as needed.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must be team-oriented, self-motivated and have the ability to work independently, as well as possess the following characteristics:

• J.D. and admission to bar required.
• 3+ years of experience practicing as a Corporate associate in a large law firm environment, or in a legal operations role, required.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, written, oral communication and presentation skills with a service-oriented attitude.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to work independently, be proactive and take initiative while informing and regularly consulting others on relevant matters.
• Ability to tolerate ambiguity and work under pressure while managing conflicting priorities.
• Ability to exercise good business judgment, accountability, flexibility and maintain confidential information at all times.
• High level of discretion and emotional intelligence.

ADA Requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk most of the working day and walk short distances.
• Needs manual dexterity, speed and accuracy in handling office equipment.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately in an atmosphere of frequent interruption.
• Ability to work in close proximity to other individuals.
• Ability to carry light objects, e.g., files, small objects and supplies a short distance.
• Must be able to lift, carry and move objects up to 15lbs.

Employment Status

Exempt

Pay Range

USD $160,000.00 - USD $190,000.00 /Yr.

Pay Range Statement

The salary range for this role represents the Firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent upon a number of factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications and location. Willkie offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees. A summary of available benefits can be found here in the Career section of the Firm’s website.

EEO Statement

Willkie Farr & Gallagher is an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon actual or perceived: race (including hair texture, protective hairstyles and other traits associated with race), color, age, religious creed, citizenship, citizenship status and alienage, nationality, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity or creed, disability, genetic information or medical condition, reproductive health decision making, pregnancy or maternity, paternity, marital or civil partnership status, caregiver status, gender (including gender identity, expression, nonconformity, gender reassignment or status as a transgender individual), sex, sexual orientation or preference, veteran or military status, height, weight, any other characteristic protected by law or any combination thereof. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let the hiring manager know.

California Applicants

Pursuant to the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO) and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.