Practice Assistant Supervisor

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 management; restructurings; high-stakes litigation and trials; 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 19 offices across the United States, Europe and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

The Practice Assistant Supervisor will work collaboratively with the Associate Director of Practice Services to oversee the daily functions of the Practice Assistant Services Department.

The Practice Assistant Services Supervisor is responsible for overseeing all resources within the Practice Assistant Services Department.  The Practice Assistant Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the distribution of overflow work and special projects, staffing of overtime requests and out-of-town trial teams. Walk floors to develop and maintain relationships with the assistants and identify morale and performance concerns, and serve as a resource for staff regarding K&E policies and procedures. The Practice Assistant Supervisor will oversee orientation of newly hired practice assistant personnel, and suggest training initiatives to enhance and meet core competency objectives. In addition the Practice Assistant Supervisor will maintain and update organizational documents and reports and assist with monitoring and approving work schedules and attendance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Leadership:  Provides leadership to the employees in the Practice Assistant Services Department. Proactively ensures that the services provided by the department are meeting the needs of the firm’s attorneys and clients. Prepares and achieves annual goals to enhance the quality of support provided by the department. Communicates and works effectively with other staff members, managers, and attorneys.
• Supervision:  Supervises departmental employees, promoting a work environment that fosters excellence, productivity, teamwork, and high morale. Assists in recruiting, hiring, orientation, training, counseling, and performance monitoring.   Coordinates disciplinary and termination issues. Monitors attendance and coordinates attendance records. Implements the policies of the Firm in a fair and consistent manner.
• Staffing:  Assist the Associate Director of Practice Services in assigning practice assistants and back-up assistance to attorneys, discussing proposed arrangements with staff and attorneys in advance and monitoring the assignments to ensure they are working effectively.
• Professional Development: Coordinates the orientation of new departmental employees regarding their job duties. Develops appropriate in-house training and continuing education programs for departmental staff. Coordinates technology training with the Technology Services Department.
• Other: Stays current on relevant management and market trends through participation in outside associations appropriate to the types of positions being managed, reading management periodicals, and attending continuing education programs. Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

The qualified candidate must have 3 years of supervisory experience, preferably in a professional services environment.  Experience in a legal environment preferred.  Must possess a proven record of supervising or managing administrative staff or other legal support personnel within a medium to large law firm and must demonstrate expertise in providing prompt, professional and courteous services for all administrative requests.  Qualified candidate must also possess excellent communication and organizational skills, be detail-oriented, flexible, 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 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.  Previous legal administrative experience in a law firm environment is highly desired. This position exercises a moderate to 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."

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-Hybrid #LI-NM1