Financial Analyst, Lateral Investment

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Financial Analyst in Lateral Investment – strategic financial role supporting partner investment decisions and AI adoption.

Mid‑level position in Short Hills, NJ offering hybrid work and career growth at DLA Piper.

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

The Strategic Financial Analyst, Lateral Investment, in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, plays a pivotal role in supporting the long‑term financial direction of the firm. This individual is a technically skilled, curious, and forward‑thinking professional who supports decision‑making through data driven insights. The Strategic Financial Analyst informs strategic decisions, improves profitability, and supports the firm’s long‑term growth goals. This individual brings strong analytical skills, profit‑centric business acumen, and excellent written and verbal communication. The role serves primarily to provide grounded recommendations on lateral partner investment decisions, supported by detailed financial analysis. This individual is expected to build controlled and transparent financial models with well‑written supplementary recommendations and/​or options.

This individual also supports the firm’s adoption of AI in finance and professional services and is passionate about using automation and advanced analytics to improve finance processes. The Strategic Finance Analyst is eager to use modern tools, analytics, and (as appropriate) machine learning techniques to analyze data, generate insights, monitor lateral performance, and automate existing processes, such as lateral investment analysis. This individual is expected to independently seek, test, and implement AI tools that will enable stronger analysis and support data‑driven decision making.

Location

This position can sit in our Short Hills or Northern Virginia office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Prepare timely financial analysis of lateral hire partner candidates, including evaluating historical performance, book of business, profitability potential, and other key metrics to support hiring decisions.
• Prepare monthly lateral performance report in support of monthly close, including commentary and detailed analytics.
• Enhance lateral financial analysis end‑to‑end process; working with key stakeholders and technology to automate and standardize workflow and model inputs/outputs.
• Track and monitor post‑hire lateral performance against approved financial scenarios and market benchmarks, identifying key variance drivers and communicate emerging risks or opportunities for lateral investments.
• Identify opportunities to streamline lateral and other financial processes, improve data quality, and increase reporting efficiency through automation and standardization.
• Contribute to finance automation efforts, including building and improving simple‑language AI agents (e.g., chatbots, cash flow models, validation tools) that support FP&A workflows.
• Partner with senior Finance leaders, Recruiting, and Practice Group leadership to present findings, assumptions, and financial recommendations in a clear and concise manner.
• Support practice group and firm reporting requirements by providing informative analytics and insights to leadership, with a focus on actionable recommendations and profitability.
• Perform ad hoc financial analysis and reporting requests, synthesizing findings into clear takeaways and recommended actions.

Desired Skills

Required Qualifications: Strong analytical and quantitative skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint. Excellent verbal and written communication skill. Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to handle highly confidential information. Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across Finance, Talent, and firm leadership. Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines. Collaborative, agile and curious mindset with an eagerness to learn.

Desired Skills: Ability to analyze complex financial and operational data and translate results into actionable insights. Strong communication and financial storytelling skills; comfortable presenting to nonfinance stakeholders. High energy, eagerness to learn, and interest in applying AI/automation to modernize FP&A processes. Familiarity with tools such as Python, SQL, Power BI, Microsoft Copilot Studio, Claude, or similar platforms is a plus. Experience in a law firm, financial institution, or professional services organization is a plus.

Travel

Travel: 10% (Depending on the location, the analyst will be expected to travel to other DLA Piper offices, such as Reston, Virginia, Short Hills, New Jersey and New York City office locations).

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Data Science, or a related field.

Preferred Education

• MBA or other relevant advanced degree.

Certificates

• CFA or progress toward CFA designation is a plus.
• MFA or progress toward MFA is a plus.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 3 years of experience in FP&A, finance, data analytics, or accounting. Open to recent graduates with relevant coursework and/or internship experience.

Essential Job Expectations

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.
• Foster positive work relationships.
• Comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on‑screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast‑paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in‑office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm’s discretion in the future.

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at‑will nature of employment.

Application Process

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com .

Agency applications will not be considered.

Agency applications will not be considered.

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $88,383 - $117,111 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location.

The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntary and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.