Director of Practice Management

About Us:

Ballard Spahr is a renowned national law firm with more than 750 lawyers across 18 offices in the United States. A career at Ballard Spahr offers a diverse group of mentors, colleagues, and friends, and strong leadership that provides support and encouragement for career growth.

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Intellectual Property (IP) Department and driving firm-wide practice management excellence? We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, and collaborative Director of Practice Management (DPM) who will leverage their strong business acumen to drive revenue growth and ensure sustained financial health for our Intellectual Property Department. This high-impact leadership position partners with the Chief Practice Management Officer and department leadership to advance operations, align strategic goals, and deliver exceptional support for all IP lawyers and legal teams.

This position is hybrid and offers a work schedule of 3 days a week on-site in our Philadelphia or Atlanta office.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Work Environment: Become part of a forward-thinking firm that enjoys substantial support and visibility from the firm's executive leadership.

• Professional Development: Take advantage of continuous learning opportunities and avenues for career growth.

• Inclusion: Join a Business Resource Group and share cultural, experiential, or job-related interests, experiences, and/or backgrounds.

• Impactful Contributions: Play a pivotal role in developing industry-leading solutions that make a significant difference in legal practice and client service.

Your Role:

As the Director of Practice Management for our IP Department your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Overseeing daily business operations including financial health, internal organization, business development, practice expansion/recruitment, fee earner supervision & training.

• Working with Department Chair to drive regular meetings of the Department's senior members, lawyers, and Practice Group Leaders by setting strategic agendas that focus and advance productivity, staffing, financial performance, business development, and collaboration across offices.

• Supporting the creation/implementation of the practice groups' business and marketing plans.

• Overseeing the Department approval process of all new matters in conjunction with the new matter intake process.

• Managing the onboarding and offboarding processes for lawyers and business professionals.

• Monitoring financial performance by reviewing financial reports/dashboards; managing non-billable expenses; and contributing to quarterly collection committees.

• Overseeing docketing professional teams, with a focus on accuracy and process and system improvement.

• Ensuring paraprofessionals receive appropriate supervision, along with continuous meaningful training and engagement.

• Organizing agendas and programming for department meetings, including quarterly partner financial updates, all-fee earner sessions, monthly associate and attorney meetings, sessions for other lawyer classifications and planning and executing content for in-person events such as the Annual Meeting and Firm Seminar.

• Conducting annual visits to each Ballard office with department presence; meeting individually with local Matter Billing Lawyers regarding metrics/business development.

• Engaging Office Managing Partners and Directors on recruiting, staffing, productivity and other local matters as needed.

• Collaborating with the Marketing and Business Development team and providing support for business plans and departmental goals, ensuring alignment with the budget, and reviewing and approving expenses.

• Staying abreast of developments in legal technology and AI and integrate innovative tools into the Department's operations to enhance efficiency, profitability, and client value.

• Implementing technology and process improvements specific to IP practice management.

• Developing strategies with the Pricing and Profitability team for client arrangements.

• Collaborating with Attorney Career Advancement (ACA) for salary adjustments and bonuses and setting appropriate training curriculum for lawyers.

• Participating in recruiting and integration programs for lateral, promoted partners and counsel and lateral and entry-level associates; and identifying hiring lateral strategies by working closely with Department Leadership and recruiting teams.

What We're Looking For:

• Leadership: Guide, influence, and inspire individuals to achieve shared objectives.

• Prudence: Creative problem-solving ability plus sound judgment, discretion, and protection of confidentiality.

• Growth Mindset: Self-motivated with a passion for continuous learning and problem-solving.

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

• Detail-Oriented: Keen attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.

Required Experience:

A Bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of law firm experience are required; an advanced degree in law or business is a plus. Prior experience in intellectual property practice management, including familiarity with patent and trademark practice (including prosecution and litigation) and patent and trademark prosecution deadlines and systems, is required. To succeed in this position, you should demonstrate strong leadership and organizational abilities, a thorough understanding of the legal industry and law firm management, and strong financial literacy, including experience with budgeting, profitability analysis, and strategies to improve revenue performance and profitability. Excellent interpersonal skills-including negotiation expertise, confidence, and professionalism at all levels-are essential. Proficiency with technology and experience designing or implementing new processes are required. You must be able and willing to travel for office visits, events, or professional programs as needed.

Ballard Spahr offers an excellent benefits package. A summary of available benefits can be found here in the Careers section of the Firm's website.

Ready to Grow with Us?

If you are ready to play a vital role in the Firm's success, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our commitment to excellence.