Friedman Williams
Paralegal Senior Manager
Job ID: 21507
Paralegal Senior Manager (Hybrid – Chicago, IL)
We are partnering with a prestigious international law firm to hire a Paralegal Senior Manager for its Chicago office. This highly visible leadership position oversees one of the firm’s largest paralegal departments, comprising approximately 32 paralegals and project assistants, supporting 500 attorneys across multiple practice areas.
Working closely with the Litigation and Practice Support Director, the Senior Manager will provide both operational and strategic leadership, overseeing departmental performance, staffing, resource allocation, employee development, and organizational effectiveness. The position requires someone who understands the complexities of managing paralegal teams within a major law firm, including competing attorney demands, utilization expectations, and the importance of building strong relationships with partners and practice leaders.
We are particularly interested in experienced Paralegal Managers, Senior Managers, and Directors from Am Law firms or comparable large national law firms who have successfully led substantial teams. Established Paralegal Supervisors with significant leadership responsibilities and experience managing large departments may also be considered.
This is a hybrid position requiring three days per week onsite in Chicago.
Why does this role stand out?
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Join a premier global law firm with a strong reputation for investing in its people and professional support functions
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Lead the firm’s second-largest paralegal organization with significant visibility among attorneys and senior leadership
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Oversee the national Project Assistant program, including recruiting, onboarding, training, and professional development
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Collaborate with peer managers across offices to influence firmwide standards, staffing strategies, and operational practices
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Opportunity for future advancement into a broader Litigation Practice Support leadership position
Key Responsibilities
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Lead Chicago’s paralegal and project assistant department, including direct supervision of the Paralegal Supervisor and overall responsibility for departmental operations
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Partner with attorneys and practice group leaders to anticipate staffing needs, balance workloads, and ensure effective deployment of paralegal resources
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Direct recruiting, onboarding, performance management, compensation recommendations, and employee relations
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Coach and develop staff, address performance challenges, and implement initiatives that strengthen engagement, retention, and career development
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Monitor billable hours, utilization, productivity, and departmental performance to identify staffing trends and operational improvements
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Oversee paralegal technology resources, including trial support, graphics, and specialty practice applications
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Collaborate with firmwide leadership on departmental priorities, process improvements, and consistent operational standards
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree
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Substantial Law Firm Paralegal Management Experience – at least five years of experience managing 15 or more direct or indirect reports
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Demonstrated success leading sizable paralegal teams within an Am Law firm, large national law firm, or comparable legal environment
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Comprehensive understanding of paralegal staffing, attorney support models, workload management, billable-hour expectations, and utilization
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Proven experience with employee performance management, recruiting, professional development, and retention
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Strong executive presence and the ability to establish credibility, influence decisions, and build trusted relationships with partners and senior firm leadership
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Ability to balance hands-on departmental leadership with strategic planning, operational improvements, and broader organizational initiatives
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Excellent communication, judgment, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
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Familiarity with legal services technology and litigation support applications preferred
If interested, email Bill at wzwirz@friedmanwilliams.com.