Paralegal Manager

Helping busy IP professionals secure career moves to industry leading firms and companies

Role Summary

The Practice Manager oversees operational delivery, team leadership, financial processes, and cross-functional coordination for a busy litigation practice. The role serves as the main point of contact for operational and staffing matters and ensures smooth, efficient practice support.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Service Delivery

• Act as the first point of contact for operational queries; triage and elevate as needed.
• Lead monthly operations meetings, track actions, and provide updates.
• Maintain consistent processes across offices and handle operational escalations.
• Manage and develop the paralegal team, including recruitment, onboarding, performance reviews, and progression.
• Allocate workloads, balance capacity, and oversee utilisation tracking.
• Maintain mentoring frameworks and ensure trainees gain exposure to paralegal work.
• Embed organisational support‑staff values into team routines.
• Monitor time recording, WIP, and disbursements with Finance; support accurate, timely billing.
• Contribute to budgeting and prepare operational reports or dashboards.

HR & Culture

• Support HR processes including probation, appraisals, and employee relations.
• Build strong relationships with HR, IT, Finance, and other support functions.
• Assist with recruitment activities.
• Coordinate logistics and payments with external counsel and suppliers.
• Represent the team at internal support‑staff meetings.

Marketing & Profile

• Assist with legal directory submissions and practice‑level BD activities.

General Duties

• Be the main contact for senior operational advisors.
• Provide troubleshooting support to partners.
• Organise team events and client dinners.
• Manage the team’s corporate card.

Skills & Experience

• Experience in legal practice management or similar operational leadership.
• Strong team‑leadership and people‑development skills.
• Excellent communication and cross‑team collaboration.
• Financial process understanding (billing, budgeting, reporting).
• Confident with legal tech, document management, and e‑filing tools.
• Proactive, solutions‑driven, and committed to high‑quality service.
• Able to work effectively at all levels and remain calm under pressure.
• Professional, adaptable, and well‑organised.