Manager of Legal Support

Manager of Legal Support Hanson Bridgett - 3.5 San Francisco, CA Job Details Full-time $140,000 - $165,000 a year 16 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Flexible spending account Parental leave Vision insurance Life insurance Qualifications Teamwork Team leadership Software implementation Legal firm experience Administrative experience Legal administrative experience Technology management Law office Change management support (employee development activity) Time management Full Job Description Hybrid The Manager, Legal Support, leads the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of the firm's secretarial and administrative support model. This role ensures consistent, high-quality client service, strong practice alignment, and scalable operations by integrating technology and AI-enabled workflows into day-to-day service delivery. The Manager serves as the operational bridge between attorneys, administrative professionals, and cross-functional partners (IT, HR, Finance), driving adoption, standardization, capacity management, and talent development. Essential Responsibilities and Duties Service Delivery & Client Experience (Operational Excellence) Lead the day-to-day delivery of pooled secretarial and administrative services across practices and offices (as applicable). Establish service standards (responsiveness, turnaround times, prioritization norms) and ensure consistent execution. Manage escalations effectively, balancing attorney needs with firm-wide standards and capacity realities. Partner with Practice Group Leaders to align service model with practice needs (litigation vs. transactional vs. regulatory, etc.). AI-Enabled Workflow Design & Process Improvement Support the firm's automation and AI efforts by continuously refining the secretarial work portfolio, identifying: tasks appropriate for automation, tasks appropriate for AI assistance, tasks requiring human-only judgment and review. Technology & AI Adoption Leadership (Change Management) Serve as the business owner for administrative technology and AI tools in the secretarial function, partnering closely with IT. Quality, Governance, and Risk Controls Implement quality control standards for high-risk work (client-facing documents, filings support, deadlines, confidential data handling). Monitor error patterns, root causes, and corrective actions; ensure learning is institutionalized (not dependent on individuals). Resource Planning Work with the leads to manage pool capacity using transparent, equitable allocation practices that match work complexity to skill level. Forecast demand cycles by practice (e.g., trial schedules, deal closings) and adjust staffing plans proactively. Use data to manage utilization, turnaround times, backlog, and staffing ratios; propose structural changes as needed (tiers, specialties, shifts, coverage models). People Leadership Coach and develop secretarial professionals and leads, setting clear expectations and accountability.

Own performance management:

goals, feedback, recognition, corrective action, and documentation in partnership with HR. Management & Communications Act as a trusted partner to attorneys and business professionals; communicate priorities, standards, and changes clearly and consistently. Influence without over-relying on hierarchy set boundaries where necessary and reframe issues from "preference" to "service model". Time and Attendance & Administrative Oversight Oversee time and attendance compliance for the secretarial team, with particular focus on California meal‑period and overtime requirements. Recruitment and Onboarding Supports the recruitment process for legal secretaries and assistants in coordination with HR and firm leadership. Oversee onboarding and integration of new hires by coordinating training, assignments, and communication with relevant teams.

Required Skills, Abilities, and Qualifications:

5-10+ years of experience in legal administrative services, practice support, legal operations, or comparable professional services environment. 3+ years of people management experience (direct or matrix leadership). Strong understanding of law firm workflow and urgency drivers (deadlines, court rules awareness, transaction timelines, billing cycles). Demonstrated capability leading change (system implementations, process redesign, service model transitions).

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in pooled/shared services models or centralized administrative operations. Exposure to legal technology and document ecosystems (DMS, document production, workflow tools, time/billing, intake systems). Experience partnering with IT on tool adoption, training, and governance. Hanson Bridgett offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The annual salary for this California-based role is anticipated to be in the range of $140,000 to $165,000 and represents the firm's good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation is negotiable and will depend upon several factors, including but not limited to the candidate's years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$140,000.00 - $165,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Parental leave Vision insurance

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in San Francisco, CA 94105