Practice Group Manager – National Security, International Trade & Enforcement

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 Washington D.C., the Practice Group Manager (“PGM”) will primarily support the International Trade, National Security, and Sanctions and Export Enforcement practices. This individual should have deep subject matter expertise relating to and familiarity with policy developments across the relevant practice group areas, including national security (i.e., FARA and the Department of Justice Data Security Program), sanctions, export controls, CFIUS/foreign direct investments, outbound investment, and evolving geopolitical topics. The PGM will also cover additional practices, including Administrative Law and Accounting and Law Firm Defense.

The PGM will support day-to-day business and operational tasks of these practices, as well as the development and implementation of the practices’ strategic initiatives, in collaboration with practice group and firm leadership.  Gibson Dunn is looking for a dynamic contributor that is passionate about the subject matter and work of these practices and who can interface not only with the partners and associates at the firm, but also with client-facing scenarios.

The PGM is a key piece of the firm’s business services function and will join a growing practice management team collectively responsible for supporting practice leaders in the management and development of their groups.  This role will be responsible for  (1) strategic planning and management of the practice groups; (2) serving as a primary contact and driver of knowledge management and client development efforts for the groups; (3) assisting with talent management, including supporting the firm’s free market system, pipeline development, and productivity goals; (3) developing practice-specific education and trainings; (4) serving as information conduits to support cross-department and cross-office initiatives and projects; and (5) supporting initiatives and projects in collaboration with a number of firm departments, including Professional Development, Marketing & Client Development, Knowledge Management, Communications, Recruiting, Diversity, Career and Alumni Services, Technology, Human Resources, and Office Administration.

Communication, leadership, subject matter expertise, and emotional intelligence are important skills needed in this role, along with an understanding of the life cycle of a matter and how attorneys practice in a law firm setting.

This role reports to the Firm’s Director of Practice Management, US Litigation under the Chief Legal Operating Officer, will take daily direction from the Practice Leads, and will work closely with the Firm’s other Practice Group Managers.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing, maintaining, and publicizing, in coordination with Knowledge Management and PG leadership, relevant practice group materials, including forms, templates, interpretation documents, and databases. Acting as the central repository for the knowledge of matters and work product developed by the practice groups, including research materials, publications, past articles, newsletters, agency issuances, and matter files. Coordinating and distributing periodic practice-specific updates tracking relevant legal developments for internal and external education.
• Collaborating with practice group leadership and the practice group management team to establish strategic business goals, objectives, and tactics in alignment with firm strategy.
• Assisting in preparing and implementing the practice groups’ strategic goals and objectives, as defined by practice group leadership, including coordinating and executing key initiatives.
• Managing talent across the groups in partnership with leadership, including conducting regular assessments of recruiting and senior talent pipelines, coordinating with Human Resources on performance improvement plans, and working with attorney review teams.
• Developing agendas and driving follow-up for regular partner and group meetings.
• Collaborating with the professional development team to design practice-specific educational trainings and CLE programming, including setting core developmental goals for junior, mid-level, and senior associates.
• Partnering with marketing, business development, and communications teams to support the firm’s business development efforts, including managing external events, rankings and awards submissions, client updates, and identifying targets for existing clients.
• Managing the tracking of all practice-specific data, including pitches, targets, client outreach, and staffing.
• Working collaboratively with peers across the firm’s business support departments to manage initiatives and support business strategies as determined by practice groups.
• Working cross-functionally with professional development to support and promote attorney development.
• Supporting the firm’s free market system from both an associate and partner perspective, including helping lawyers identify appropriate staffing for matters and opportunities for new work.
• Staying connected with the practice management team to align efforts across the firm.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement and ensuring execution follow-through.
• Managing the associate journey within the practice groups, including mentorship, review support, low billing interventions, and other career guidance.
• Monitoring relevant legal and news developments affecting the practice groups and circulating applicable information to the practice group and/or clients.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of national security (including FARA and the Department of Justice Data Security Program), sanctions, export controls (EAR/ITAR), CFIUS/foreign direct investments, and outbound investment regulatory regimes.
• 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. Strong leadership skills to lead and develop a large and geographically dispersed team.
• 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 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. Able to coordinate multiple tasks concurrently and prioritize effectively.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work concurrently on a variety of projects with changing priorities. Have meticulous attention to detail.
• 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 a high degree of initiative in managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, high-stress, detail-oriented work environment.
• Strong knowledge of the legal industry, the relevant laws and regulations, and the best practices and standards.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; J.D. or Bachelor of Laws or equivalent graduate degree with strong academic credentials and bar admission in good standing in the state in which they will be sitting.
• Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience directly related to the duties or skills described herein, including at least two years’ experience as a manager of a function.
• Preferred experience in a professional services firm, ideally a law firm.
• Government experience in a relevant role beneficial.

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:

Washington, D.C.

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.