The Managing Attorney serves as a key leader within the law firm, overseeing legal operations, supervising casework, and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality legal services. The role of the Managing Attorney is to mentor, supervise, train, and manage staff members involved in legal production including, but not limited to, attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, and legal assistants. The Managing Attorney contributes to the firm’s strategic and professional growth and works closely with team members to develop legal strategies, manage caseloads, and foster a positive and productive work environment. The Managing Attorney is responsible for maximizing the efficiency of legal production, and independently managing individual casework as needed. The Managing Attorney plays a central role in guiding professional development, promoting team cohesion, and ensuring excellence in legal production. The Managing Attorney reports directly to the Owner for substantive legal matters, and to the Operations Director for performance-based matters.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Team Leadership & Supervision:
Provide the first line of support for legal questions, especially regarding unusual legal situations and difficult client troubleshooting, and utilize creative problem solving for complex problems;Provide mentoring, training, feedback, guidance, and support in case management, client interactions, and legal strategy to the legal production team;Supervise cases assigned to associate attorney(s), including weekly strategy meetings and daily guidance either in-person or via email/phone, in-person supervision and training of attorneys at impartial hearings, and oversight/review of associate attorneys’ paperwork to be filed in appeals;Attend subject matter trainings, including COPAA conferences, to stay current on developments in special education law to enhance firm capabilities and inform our legal strategy;Lead initiatives focused on career development, continuing legal education, and training programs for all legal personnel, including identifying skills gaps and coordinating opportunities for hands-on training and shadowing;Prepare and lead trainings and presentations on substantive legal topics for the firm’s clients and stakeholders;Conduct semi-annual performance reviews for supervised staff members and send Owner and Operations Director detailed summary of semi-annual reviews;Prepare videos for new client onboarding, and liaise with Client Services Specialist to ensure a smooth initial transition and strong client communication throughout;Attend school visits to become educated about placement options available in order to guide our legal strategy and advice to clients;Draft and implement policies, systems, and procedures to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent production of legal documents and filings, improve due process outcomes, and enhance the client experience;Promote collaboration across teams to ensure efficiency and consistency in legal service delivery;
Case Management:
Assist team members in formulating legal strategy, drafting key documents, and preparing for negotiations and hearings;Review and approve legal strategies, pleadings, and client communications, as needed, to ensure and maintain high standards of professional excellence;Manage staffing needs, case assignments, and workload distribution to maximize efficiency and productivity;Supervise legal work of staff members involved in legal production, including weekly check-in meetings and daily guidance either in-person or via email/phone, to review strategy, direction, and quality of legal work;Approve the content for monthly file review memos to clients and direct legal team to send such memos to clients on a regular basis, consistent with office protocols;Take ownership of our firm’s case closure procedures and coordinate with Case Management Supervisor to ensure that matters are fully closed in a timely manner, consistent with office protocols and the rules of professional responsibility, once a matter is resolved and outstanding payments have been issued;Independently maintain and manage individual casework as needed and relative to the role’s other responsibilities, which may include representing clients at Administrative Impartial Hearings against the New York City Department of Education regarding IDEA claims, preparing and representing clients in hearing and appeals processes, and negotiating settlements;Prepare cases for hearing, including drafting notices, complaints, opening/closing statements, direct and cross examination questions, as needed, for the caseload of others the Managing Associate is supervising;
Operational & Strategic Leadership:
Collaborate with firm leadership on strategic planning and policy implementation;Prepare and lead weekly meetings with the firm’s Owner and Operations Director to highlight and address important matters that have come up;Brainstorm with Owner, Operations Director, and Associates regarding case strategy and workflow;Liaise with our firm’s Of Counsel for Fee Claims to ensure that Fee Claims negotiations and litigation for all of the firm’s matters are on track, and to strategize with Of Counsel regarding the firm’s approach to getting Fee Claims paid;Work with the Owner and Operations Director to explore expanding practice areas, including Estate Planning and any new areas in the future, which means having primary responsibility for assessing SKUs and legal work required, estimating billable time as well as staffing and training needs, and coordinating with the Operations Director on pricing, retainer agreements, and Of Counsel relationships;Monitor firm compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory standards;Monitor performance metrics and KPIs for legal production output and client satisfaction;Recommend and implement improvements in legal service delivery and team structure;
Client Relations:
Build and maintain strong client relationships through clear, effective communication, service, and advice;Monitor and address client concerns, resolve client issues, and ensure overall satisfaction with legal services;Step in as a senior point of contact for cases requiring elevated judgment and sensitivity.
Desired Characteristics:
· Growth mindset· Development focus· Creative problem solving· Strategic and big-picture thinking· Innovation· Change management skills· Strong leadership and supervisory skills· Patience· Clear communication· Efficiency· Collaboration· Professionalism· Organization
Company DescriptionLaw Offices of Adam Dayan, PLLC, located in New York City, is dedicated to protecting the rights of children with special needs. We represent parents in pursuing appropriate education programs and services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Our growing law firm is looking for an experienced inside Sales Specialist who can make a lasting impression on prospective clients.Company DescriptionLaw Offices of Adam Dayan, PLLC, located in New York City, is dedicated to protecting the rights of children with special needs. We represent parents in pursuing appropriate education programs and services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Our growing law firm is looking for an experienced inside Sales Specialist who can make a lasting impression on prospective clients. Read Less
