Commercial Litigation Practice Development Manager

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 more than 3,500 lawyers) operating from 21 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

Kirkland & Ellis is seeking a highly motivated, energetic and experienced Business Development Manager to support the marketing and business development efforts of the Firm’s Litigation practices as part of the Business Development (BD) Department in our Chicago office.

We are looking for a self-starter and critical thinker with good judgment, excellent communication and analytical skills and history of taking initiative. You will possess excellent organizational and project management skills, outstanding editing and proofing skills, the ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment, strong attention to detail and a professional and polished demeanor. You should already possess a general understanding of the core legal practice areas of the Firm, including knowledge of the various types of litigation. Kirkland’s Litigation practices include over 650 attorneys throughout our offices worldwide. We represent clients in trial and appellate courts at the federal and state level, before administrative tribunals, and in arbitrations and other dispute resolution proceedings.

In this role, you will help provide attorneys with support across all areas of marketing and business development, including pitches and proposals, internal and external presentations, internal and external event planning, research, business/relationship intelligence, award submissions and directory nominations, and internal communications. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships among lawyers and staff to achieve results. Meticulous writing and proofing skills and experience in the legal, professional services and/or financial services sectors are highly desirable. This is a highly visible attorney and sometimes client-facing role, well-suited for an experienced legal business development generalist with an adaptable, entrepreneurial style and a proven business acumen.

You will report to the Litigation Business Development Director in Chicago and work closely with other local team members. You will also communicate and collaborate regularly with a global team of approximately 160 diverse problem-solvers and advisers dedicated to the broader BD, marketing and communications efforts of the Firm. Kirkland’s international BD team provides seamless service to our attorneys with a focus on quality, innovation and responsiveness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)

• Through the development of a keen understanding of the Firm’s unique business model, capabilities and client relationships, manage the execution of business development strategies and specific objectives for the commercial litigation practice, as well as individual attorneys and/or specific clients.
• Pursue and facilitate opportunities to expand market share with existing clients, including identifying prospects for cross-selling and supporting account-specific development tactics in conjunction with relationship partners.
• Collaborate with Business Intelligence to identify and evaluate potential clients, and coordinate efforts to proactively engage targets, while tracking ongoing outreach.
• Prepare thoughtful, substantive pitches and proposals tailored to specific matters and industry sectors. Conduct original research and produce corresponding narratives--including factual findings, statistics, etc.--in support of specific pitch opportunities. Adapt and expand precedent materials to meet unique needs and address specific fact patterns. Track all pitches to evaluate pipeline, wins/losses and trends by client type, practice, industry, etc.
• Maintain practice descriptions, website content, brochures and other marketing collateral. Assist with the maintenance of experience databases, as well as industry-specific cases and wins.
• Draft and manage submissions, rankings, surveys, directories and other recognitions for relevant practices.
• Conduct research and the preparation of intelligence reports on clients, potential clients, competitors and target industries to understand market position, develop strategic plans and drive marketing efforts to maintain and grow the Litigation practice and our industry position.
• Plan and execute events, including seminars, receptions, industry conferences, charitable sponsorships, speaking engagements, client entertainment and other events related to the promotion of the Litigation practice.
• Manage and support other business development and marketing projects as necessary. 

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

• 7+ years business development and marketing experience and a background in litigation is preferred.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and overseeing junior team members.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office software, with expertise in PowerPoint, Excel and SharePoint preferred.
• Experience with planning and preparing pitches, substantive presentations and other marketing materials required.
• Advanced research skills across legal and business resources and topics. Familiarity with electronic resources, including Westlaw, Lex Machina, Courthouse News, Pitchbook and others is preferred.
• Marketing document creation experience, with a good eye for graphic design and sharp attention to detail is preferred.
• Excellent client service orientation and listening skills; comfortable interacting with Firm leadership and key department personnel; possess diplomacy, enthusiasm and a strong work ethic required.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with strong skills in written/verbal communication, organizational ability, project management and prioritization.
• Very strong attention to detail and a professional demeanor.
• Ability to perform overtime as necessary. 

• Bachelor’s degree required; J.D. preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This job operates in a professional office environment. A professional appearance and demeanor are required. Evening and weekend work may be required.
• This role offers a hybrid work arrangement.

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-NK1