Manager: Legal Project Management

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Legal Project Management department in our Chicago office, as a Manager: Legal Project Management.

The Manager: Legal Project Management will work directly with Firm lawyers to support the execution of the Firm’s legal project management (LPM) strategy at a matter and client level across various practice areas. The Manager: Legal Project Management will provide matter-specific guidance in defining and scoping engagements, developing work plans, and managing firm resources to deliver legal services efficiently and effectively. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with partners and matter teams, contributing to the delivery of high-quality legal services and supporting the Firm’s commitment to client satisfaction, efficiency, and profitability.

• Support Mayer Brown partners and matter teams with the delivery of legal services for client engagements by employing LPM techniques and tools, including managing scope changes, budget revisions, matter tasks, and teams.
• Assist in developing matter work plans; help plan and track matter timelines, milestones, and dependencies using appropriate tools and reports.
• Set and communicate expectations related to each engagement with the matter team and client.
• Facilitate matter team meetings and manage the interface between the client and Mayer Brown team as it relates to individual LPM engagements.
• Build strong relationships with partners to develop and maintain a pipeline of matters to be managed.
• Proactively seek opportunities to provide assistance to partners in line with the role’s responsibilities.
• Demonstrate understanding of legal, financial, and project-management related concepts; ask appropriate questions and provide clear, concise responses.
• Offer ideas for improvement of LPM-related activities and seek out opportunities for professional development.
• Establish themselves as a trusted resource for partners and remain current with industry LPM trends, tools, and best practices.
• Assist with LPM training for firm lawyers, business services personnel, and clients, including providing guidance on LPM concepts and techniques.
• Manage multiple matters concurrently.
• Operate with minimal supervision within the global LPM strategy and framework.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives.

Education/Training/Certifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required
• JD degree desirable 

Professional Experience: 

• Minimum of five years of legal experience within a law firm required.
• Experience practicing law or in project management required.
• AmLaw 100 experience preferred.

Technical Skills: 

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications, specifically Excel and PowerPoint, required.
• Ability to quickly learn and remain current with emerging legal technology required.
• Understanding of effective prompt creation for generative artificial intelligence systems preferred.

Performance Traits: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of the Firm, its clients, and outside vendors.
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines with shifting priorities.
• Self-starter with a high level of initiative.
• Strong customer service skills; able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to handle multiple projects.
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion.
• Demonstrates solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

The typical pay scale for this position is between $129,739 and $179,000, although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate’s education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified. 

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the application process and/or job interview, please email uslateralrecruiting@mayerbrown.com. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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