Practice Group Manager, LA Litigation

Job Summary

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in Los Angeles, the Practice Group Manager (“PGM”) for LA Litigation is a strategic leader responsible for advancing the operational, talent, and market success of Gibson Dunn’s Los Angeles Litigation practice. The role blends business operations, talent management, and cross-functional collaboration to support the practice’s strategic priorities and market position.

The PGM partners closely with the LA Litigation Partners in Charge, LA Litigation partners, the Director of Practice Management, US Litigation, and other Practice Group Managers to align resources, initiatives, and priorities across the firm.

The PGM is part of the firm’s practice management staff function and collaborates extensively with Professional Development, Marketing & Client Development, Knowledge Management, Communications, Recruiting, Diversity, Career and Alumni Services, Technology, Human Resources, and Office Administration to advance shared goals and firmwide initiatives.

Strong communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence are essential, along with a solid understanding of litigation practice and the life cycle of a case in a law firm environment.

This role reports to the Director of Practice Management, US Litigation; takes daily direction from the Partners in Charge of LA Litigation; and works closely with other Practice Group Managers across the firm.

Responsibilities include:

Practice Operations & Project Management

• Oversee efficient administration of LA Litigation matters, including resource allocation, project management, and process improvement.
• Develop agendas and drive follow-up for regular partner and practice group meetings, focusing on accountability and strategic alignment.
• Partner with Legal Project Management to implement best practices for matter management, billing, and client service tailored to LA Litigation’s workflow.
• Identify and lead execution of operational and process improvements.
• Collaborate with business support departments to manage initiatives and support practice group strategies.
• Partner with practice leadership to identify and pursue strategic opportunities, including lateral hiring, new client segments, and cross-practice synergies.
• Develop and execute a practice management strategy that reflects the competitive landscape unique to LA Litigation.

Talent & Professional Development

• Support the free-market staffing system by helping lawyers identify optimal assignments and development opportunities.
• Collaborate with leadership on recruiting, onboarding, and retention strategies for top litigation talent in LA.
• Work with Professional Development to coordinate internal training, CLE programming, and mentorship initiatives focused on litigation skills and LA-specific legal issues.
• Work with office and practice group leadership to manage talent across the groups, including through regular assessments of the firm’s recruiting and senior talent pipelines, in coordination with HR performance development plans and the attorney review teams.
• Support pipeline development and productivity goals across the LA office.
• Partner with Diversity & Inclusion teams to advance D&I initiatives within the practice.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key connector between LA Litigation and other Gibson Dunn offices, ensuring integration of firmwide initiatives and sharing of best practices.
• Support cross-departmental and cross-office initiatives, with an emphasis on alignment between LA and global firm priorities.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the LA Litigation team.
• Work closely with peers across departments to implement initiatives and support business strategies, including DEI-related efforts.

Revenue Growth

• Track and analyze practice-specific data to inform development and growth strategies.
• Partner with Marketing, Client Development, and Communications teams to support:
  • Rankings and awards submissions.
  • Client updates and outreach.
  • Identification of growth opportunities within existing client relationships.
  • Initiatives to deepen relationships with key LA clients, including Fortune 500 companies, entertainment studios, tech firms, and high-net-worth individuals.
  • Cross-selling efforts across the LA office and other Gibson Dunn practices.
  • Client events thought leadership campaigns, and strategic sponsorships relevant to the LA market.
  • Work with Marketing and Client Development to support partner-led revenue growth initiatives tailored to the LA Litigation market.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the LA legal market, litigation trends, and client expectations.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and Gibson Dunn’s values of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Collaboration and facilitation skills to work with various departments and facilitate their ability to work with each other.
• Ability to work independently and with a team, and to delegate and manage resources effectively.
• Exhibit high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills in exercising independent judgment and making decisions in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment.
• Creative thinker who is open to considering multiple approaches to issues and collaborating with other leaders to develop and execute plans.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment; ability to coordinate multiple tasks concurrently.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work concurrently on a variety of projects with changing priorities. Have meticulous attention to detail.
• Flexible and able to multi-task, balancing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with Department personnel, Firm management, other attorneys and staff.
• Highly motivated, strategic focus: ability to understand and support Firm goals, services, culture and strategy in order to present self and the Firm in a positive, professional manner.
• Understands and stays up to date on current legal market trends, news, and innovations.
• Exhibits high degree of initiative in managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, high-stressed, detail-oriented work environment.
• Strong knowledge of the legal industry, the relevant laws and regulations, and the best practices and standards.
• Ability to work independently to solve problems relating to both technical issues and situations involving the coordination of, and collaboration with, attorneys, non-attorney staff and different administrative departments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.

Experience

• J.D., Bachelor of Laws, MBA, or equivalent preferred; bachelor’s degree required (communications, marketing, or related field a plus).
• Minimum 5-7 years’ experience practicing law at a law firm and/or in-house; 10+ years’ experience in consulting, business operations, or professional services preferred.
• Proven track record in litigation practice management, business development, or legal operations, ideally within the LA market.

 

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual compensation range for this position is $230-280k. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

Benefits offered for this position include health care; retirement benefits; paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time; parental leave; basic life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; as well as discretionary, performance-based bonuses.

Location:

Los Angeles

EEO Statement

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all partners, employees and applicants and, in accordance with the applicable federal and state laws, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, religion, matriculation or political affiliation, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, age, marital status or partnership status, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, personal appearance, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, arrest or conviction record, or on any other basis prohibited by law.