Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Legal project Analyst in our Client Value department under the supervision and direction of the Director of Client Value Analytics (the “Director”), Client Value Managers and Senior Legal Project Analyst (the “Managers”).

The position can reside in the Houston, New York or Washington, DC office and will be responsible for supporting the firm’s practice groups and each group’s teams with the ultimate goal of raising the firm’s profitability and market share while helping to maintain and deliver the maximum and expected client value. The primary responsibilities of this position will include but are not limited to: (i) assisting with the development of legal project management (“LPM”)/matter management processes and capabilities across the firm; (ii) assisting with the development and implementation of the firm’s customized and standardized budgeting and LPM tools and reports to improve efficiency and scalability of operations; and (iii) helping to support the Director and the Managers in preparing and analyzing budgets, measuring performance in accordance with defined financial and business performance objectives, and assisting with corresponding strategic initiatives. The Analyst will also work closely with the Managers to help promote, implement, and track budgeting and matter management activities across the firm. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION INCLUDE:

MATTER MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING

• Become familiar with LPM acumen and related legal industry best practices;
• Assist with the implementation of LPM initiatives across the firm, and identify areas for process improvement;
• Aid in the creation of consistent project management tools, such as matter work plans, scoping aids, and budgeting templates/models, and help educate attorneys on the benefits of use;
• Working closely with the Managers and firmwide attorneys, help develop budgeting strategies that take into account firm/attorney needs and objectives, practice group/team or firm goals and key performance indicators, as well as client requirements;
• Serve as a resource for attorneys and the Client Value team, offering credible, thoughtful analysis on client-related budgeting and reporting efforts;
• Support the Director and Managers the creation of initiatives, process improvement techniques, and other systems/tools that focus on strategic revenue growth;
• Assist in the development, design, and production of scalable ad-hoc and standardized performance reports on client/matter levels to provide additional clarity and enhance transparency (both internal and client-facing reports); leverage existing technology platforms as appropriate;
• Help identify and report on matter performance, utilizing compelling charts and dashboards to clearly illustrate the financial analysis; communicate these findings to partners, raising any potential issues/risks (such as variances from budget), and focusing on key financial data points such as revenue generation, realization (write off reduction), and profitability
• For identified clients/matters with existing budgets/fixed pricing arrangements, work with the Managers to review and revise budgets/pricing (if and/as needed with support from the Managers) to best meet shifting client/firm priorities or mandates;
• Coordinate with the Managers, Practice Managers and Business Development on supporting the execution of process improvement strategies by providing timely analysis that aid group efforts;
• Track, maintain, and analyze pertinent information relating to budgeting and matter management efforts and offerings across the firm, building a useful database for knowledge management purposes; and
• Assist with the measurement of the positive effects of Client Value Team efforts on financial performance, both internally for the firm and externally for the client.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Managers and Business Development in the preparation and/or review of RFPs/business development proposals relating specifically to budgetary fee estimates and matter management and reporting capabilities;
• Assist with the review and implementation of LPM software/technology platforms and dashboards at the firm, as needed;
• Assist with training of attorneys on financial dashboards as requested;
• Work with other firm infrastructure to help ensure data integrity on client/matter level and in accordance with firm mandates socialize the importance of proper billing issues as needed to ensure consistency, accuracy and compliance with client needs and outside counsel guidelines;
• Participate in the review of Outside Counsel Guidelines for project management guidelines as needed/required;
• Share relevant legal market and competitor information and analysis with the Client Value Team; and
• Collaborate and work with the Managers and other infrastructure teams in the performance of special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS (EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES):

• BA or BS required
• 2+ years in client service oriented functions, preferably with financial/project analyst or project management background
• High proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and the ability to quickly learn and utilize additional software and systems;
• General understanding of the fundamental elements of legal project management;
• Data-driven and/or financial analytics experience preferred
• Understanding of financial management and business drivers, and ability to think strategically and analytically (issue-spot);
• General knowledge of industry business acumen; apply sound judgment and discretion with respect to confidential and sensitive information;
• Ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing (visual presentations and reports, etc);
• Strong ability to work independently and with teams, creatively and proactively;
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively with all levels of personnel and work collaboratively across all firm departments; and
• Proven organizational skills; ability to execute identified initiatives and processes in a timely manner.

AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY FOR PURPOSES OF VERIFYING EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

Required Skills Required Experience