Chief Operating Officer

Job Description

Job Description

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be the firm's manager. The COO is expected to devote substantial time and effort to the role, and while hours will vary based on firm needs and activity, they should expect to spend 600-700 hours per year on firm administration. The COO may delegate any of these responsibilities to the DOA or any other qualified person at their discretion.

1. Manage the Firm. This involves:

• a. Coordinating the firm’s practice groups with the Practice Group Leaders (PGL)).
• b. Overseeing the Director of Administration (DOA) and administrative staff by meeting regularly with the DOA and other administrative staff regularly to supervise and coordinate their work and to be kept apprised of developments within the firm.
• c. Meeting with attorneys and staff regularly to review workplace developments, including personnel and policy changes additions, and to answer questions and address concerns.
• d. With input from the Practice Group Leaders and EQ, establish or amend firm-wide policies.
• e. Overseeing compliance with and enforcing firm policies and procedures.

2. Develop and Implement the Firm’s Strategic Plan, as determined by the membership. This involves:

• a. Working with EQ to set long-term goals for the firm and formulate a strategy to reach them.
• b. Implementing the firm’s goals and monitoring the firm’s progress in achieving those goals.
• c. Working with Practice Group Leaders and DOA to establish long-term goals for each group and each attorney in coordination with the firm’s goals.

3. Manage Firm Governance, including:

• a. Maintain accurate records of and accounts of operations and firm expenditures, books, tax returns, meeting minutes, MOA, and others.
• b. Convening and chairing EQ/Compensation Committee meetings and processes.
• c. Reporting to the membership and staff on firm developments regularly.
• d. Mediating and adjudicating disputes between attorneys and staff.

4. Address and oversee underperformance or misconduct by members and coordinate communication and resolution with such members, Practice Group Leaders, and EQ.

5. Monitor the firm’s financial performance, including revenue and expenses. This includes overseeing budget development, monitoring compliance with the budget, approving non-budgeted expenses, compliance with billing practices and monitoring accounts receivable.

6. Ensure the firm’s compliance with ethical standards.

7. Maintenance and renewal of insurance claims management: reviewing E&O claims, reporting claims to carrier, completing the E&O application every year, and managing other insurance renewals (health benefits, property, cyber and GL.

8. Oversee the hiring and firing of non-member attorneys in consultation with the applicable Practice Group Leader(s). Non-member attorneys may be hired or fired at the discretion of the COO after consultation with the applicable Practice Group Leader(s), and COO approval is required for any non-member attorney to be terminated.

9. Decide on material changes or upgrades to the firm’s infrastructure (e.g., space (not including new or amended leases), facilities, IT, recruiters, telecommunication, and computer systems).

10. Supervise DOA on the firm marketing plan (as determined by Practice Group Leader(s)).

11. Represent the firm externally. Responsible for all media inquiries and is the final word on external communications.

12. Decide on exceptions to firm-wide policies or procedures.

13. Based on recommendations from the DOA, set and adjust staff compensation and bonuses.

14. Evaluate the performance and recommend DOA compensation to the EQ.

Education: At a minimum, the COO will have graduated from a recognized college or university with major coursework in business administration or management, finance, human resources, technology or marketing, or comparable work experience.

An MBA and professional certifications like six sigma or the Certified Legal Manager designation are preferred.

Experience: At a minimum, the COO must have previous knowledge of legal or other professional service organizations and have significant experience in managing business operations such as human resources, technology, facilities, finance, and marketing. Experience in operational process refinement, budgeting, and HR is most important.

An ideal candidate will have at least ten years of experience in a COO-level role and will have experience helping startup-level enterprises navigate the complexities of rapid growth.

Skills and Abilities: Analytic Thinking: Ability to structure and process qualitative or quantitative data and draw insightful conclusions.

Organization and Planning: Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and budget in an efficient and productive manner that keeps the big picture in clear view.

Leadership: Can confidently manage support staff and delegate as necessary, maintaining good interpersonal relations and communications with lawyers and support staff and helping to safeguard and cultivate the firm's corporate culture.