Join the World's Top Legal Talent Network

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we are united in our ambition and drive to move forward. We share core values that help us achieve excellence: collaboration, talent empowerment, service, inclusion, respect and gratitude. Our people are our greatest asset, and we invest in the brightest talent and encourage a diversity of perspectives and strengths to create dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their field. Our talented professionals show up every day knowing they will engage in meaningful work, continuous learning and professional development.
 
As one of the world’s leading law firms, we serve a broad range of clients with market-leading practices in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; and government, regulatory and internal investigations. We handle the most complicated and sophisticated legal matters because we don’t just meet industry standards, we create them. We bring innovation and entrepreneurialism to every engagement and, as a result, have long-standing client relationships with leading global corporations and financial sponsors. With 6,500 employees (including 3,500 lawyers) operating from 20 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

The Los Angeles Office is recruiting for a Practice Assistant Manager to oversee and manage the daily functions of the Practice Assistants in the Los Angeles offices.  This position will assist in coordinating and monitoring practice assistant assignments, workflow, performance reviews, recruiting and training. This position will be expected to split time between the Downtown and Century City offices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• The Practice Assistant Manager, working with the Senior Director of Administration, is responsible for managing all resources within the Practice Assistant Department.  The Manager expected to provide guidance, encouragement and coaching to the practice assistants while fostering a team environment. He or she is responsible for monitoring and approving work schedules; developing training programs, cross-training opportunities, recommending and managing practice assistant pairings, identifying and addressing performance issues, including conducting disciplinary actions.  In addition, the Manager will oversee the recruitment and orientation of newly hired practice assistants, conduct 30, 60, 90 days feedback sessions, lead regular staff meetings and work with the Practice Assistant Review Committee to further the continuing development of the practice assistants. Confidentiality is an essential element of this position.
• Leadership: Provides leadership to the employees in the Practice Assistant department. Proactively ensures that the services provided by this department is meeting the needs of the attorneys and clients. Prepares and achieves annual goals to enhance the quality of support provided by this department. Communicates and works effectively with other managers, attorneys and staff.
• Supervision: Supervises departmental employees, promotes a work environment that fosters excellence, productivity, teamwork, and high morale. Works with the Senior Director of Administration to manage the recruiting, hiring, orientation, training, counseling, and performance evaluation processes for the Practice Assistants. Coordinates disciplinary and termination issues with the Senior Director of Administration. Monitors attendance and coordinates attendance records. Implements the policies of the Firm in a fair and consistent manner. Conducts regular meetings with department staff as appropriate.
• Staffing: Ensures that staffing levels are adequate to meet the business needs of the office and that staffing ratios meet the office expectations. Assigns practice assistants to attorneys, discusses proposed arrangements with the practice assistants and attorneys in advance and monitors the assignments to ensure they are working effectively.
• Work Flow Coordination: Maintains a back-up assignment structure to provide regular coverage for absent practice assistants. Pre-approves administrative overtime and monitors overtime levels. Monitors and ensures productivity and an equitable distribution of the workload. Ensure adequate staffing as needed after hours, weekends and holidays.
• Professional Development: Coordinates the orientation of new practice assistants regarding their job duties. Develops appropriate in-house training and continuing education programs for departmental staff. Coordinates technology training with the Technology Services Department.
• Financial Management: Approves expenditures related to department activities. Monitors and controls departmental costs.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

      Stays current on relevant management and market trends through participation in outside associations appropriate to the types of positions managed, reading management periodicals, and attending continuing education programs. Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

The qualified candidate must have at least 5 years of leadership and supervisory experience. Must possess a proven record of managing assistants (legal secretaries preferred) or other administrative / legal support personnel within a medium to large professional services firm and must demonstrate expertise in providing prompt, professional and courteous services for all assistant requests. Qualified candidate must also possess excellent communication and organizational skills, be detail-oriented, flexible, have the ability to adapt to change, and demonstrate a customer service orientation.  The qualified candidate must be adept at problem resolution, must show strong competence in staff management and demonstrate the ability to remain calm and unflappable in high-pressure situations.  The model candidate will possess outstanding communication (oral and written).  The qualified candidate is expected to maintain confidentiality, act in a fair and equitable manner and be able to interact effectively with individuals on all levels of the Firm’s business. 

Education, Work Experience, Skills

Bachelor’s Degree is required. This position exercises a high degree of discretion and independent judgment.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

For applicants who are based in Los Angeles, visit the following link for pay range information: https://staffjobsus.kirkland.com/pages/lajobid7699

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Closing Statement

The www.kirkland.com job postings and recruiting mailbox are for candidates only. If you are a recruiter, search firm or employment agency, and do not have a signed contract with Kirkland & Ellis LLP ("K&E") and have not been asked specifically to submit candidates, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if K&E hires the candidate. Direct contact with K&E employees in an attempt to present candidates is inappropriate and will be a factor in determining any future professional relationship with the Firm. #LI-NM1 #LI-Hybrid