Legal Project Manager

Description & Requirements

Role Purpose

Work alone or supporting Senior LPMs to secure, design and lead on the process control of projects. Delegate and manage work of the Legal Project Coordinators. Ensure successful delivery of tasks within both client- and internally-facing projects bringing solutions using established and new tools and processes.

Main responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Scope and manage specific client-facing projects
• Manage own case load and that of more junior legal project management resources on projects
• Liaise with the client and the Firm's client project team, as well as the Firm's specialist departments and offices worldwide, along with external stakeholders
• Use (and assist others in using) pricing tools and analyse the outputs, bringing in the Pricing Strategy Team as required.
• Support the Principal/Lead Associate in defining matter scope, track and manage changes
• Capture explicit and implicit client requirements/ preferences and design the project approach accordingly
• Identify, quantify, record and manage risks/issues in projects including mitigation strategies
• Prepare, manage and report on suitably-detailed project plans to internal and client matter teams
• Support whole-project budgeting, monitor and report on costs and fees on an ongoing basis both internally and externally
• Prepare internal and client status reports and provide timely updates to team leaders on potential risks/issues identified
• Support the matter review process for key matters and identify areas of improvement in practice area processes through discussions with fee earners
• Be creative, solve problems and improve on standard delivery solutions on a given project
• Identify future needs / opportunities for new service delivery and lead on analysis and design workshops
• Work with the Global LPM Leadership Team to define, enhance and integrate a single set of project management standards, processes, methodologies and tools to improve the efficiency of LPM
• Roll out improvements and solutions through individual attorney coaching and training sessions
• Work with internal stakeholders to secure and define LPM role on projects; move matter work into or out of LPM team where appropriate
• Assign priorities across large task lists, identify and communicate dependencies, and capture items in project timelines
• Disaggregate routine tasks and reassign by leveraging Alternative Legal Services and other non-traditional resourcing models on projects
• Clarify and communicate roles and responsibilities of the project team and all internal/external stakeholders
• Actively contribute to the Firm’s Innovation and LegalTech strategy and localize and leverage these on projects, finding ways to encourage team uptake
• Become a subject matter expert on given tech and standardized processes: evangelize, advise, train, apply to projects and support refinement
• Lead portions of LPM training for internal audiences
• Design end-to-end, matter specific portals for small to medium projects
• Integrate with allocated practice areas/ service lines; become comfortable with legal concepts / terminology / principles
• Strengthen network of professional colleagues across the range of PBS (including Knowledge Management, Business Development, Finance, and IT), and legal teams, carving out a role for LPM on new projects
• Build strong client relationships both with client in-house lawyers and Legal Ops professionals; contribute to business development opportunities by leveraging this client knowledge
• Offering PM expertise to non-LPM initiatives  

Travel requirements

This role requires some regional and some global travel driven by client requirements and other internal and external events related to the Professional Business Services function.

Team Purpose

Actively support the project management of strategic matters and portfolios of matters to improve quality, profitability, speed, tractability, and transparency with an emphasis on repeatability, scalability, and pace. Drive through the same benefits to matters that are not actively staffed with LPMs, assisting with infusing project management discipline through consultations, trainings, templates, workflows, checklists, and automation. Remain agile in bringing appropriate focus on localisation, technology and process improvement. The core teams within Services are:

• Business Management
• Legal Operations
• Pricing Strategy
• Legal Project Management
• Global eDiscovery and Data Advisory
• Service Design
• Alternative Legal Services

You will report to: Associate Director, LPM Americas

Key relationships

• Associate Director, LPM Americas
• Associate Director, LPM for other regions / Service Delivery

Teams within the Services function such as Business Management, Pricing, Global eDiscovery, Alternative Legal Services and Service Design

About the candidate

Technical skills, qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor's Degree (law or business degree preferred)
• Formal project management qualification of Prince 2 Practitioner or equivalent (required) and LSS Green Belt (desirable)
• Formal project management qualification of Prince 2 Agile, Management of Portfolios (MoP) or PMP (desirable)
• At least 4 years of experience in project management roles
• Ability to manage multiple projects at a time
• Understanding of/ experience working in large complex organizations, ideally in a law firm or professional services firm
• Knowledge/ experience of relevant IT packages: e.g. Document Management Systems, Project Extranets (e.g. SharePoint) or other collaborative project management tools, Other LegalTech knowledge desirable
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Visio, Excel, and of financial systems and reports
• Experience of influencing or coaching within a professional services  environment desirable
• Outstanding communication and relationship building skills
• Demonstrated ability and desire to work collaboratively with senior-level professionals to help them succeed in meeting their business development objectives
• Ability to work independently and willingness to work hands-on to achieve objectives in a relatively “flat” organizational structure
• Ability to analyse matter-level performance including profitability
• Advanced knowledge and experience of data manipulation tools (e.g. Excel) and experience with  visualisation tools (e.g. Tableau)
• Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience in compiling executive summaries and status reports for consumption by attorneys and clients
• Ability to identify and secure future internal project management opportunities (including process improvement analysis or follow-on client work)
• Ability to cover a wide subject-matter range and difficulty level of tasks from thinking strategically to troubleshooting detail
• Ability to understand the impact of matter finance decisions on profitability in order to understand and independently calculate key financial metrics
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work in a dynamic and complex environment to meet deadlines and daily requirements
• Strong competency in continuous improvement, change management, flexible approach and exceeding expectations.

Personal qualities

These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location

Know how

• Keeps across key developments in all relevant areas and demonstrates the ability to develop substantive authority in relation to the Firm's specialist fields
• Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distils a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
• Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis
• Suggests non-standard alternative ideas and approaches that demonstrate some lateral thought and "thinking outside the box"

Dedication  

• Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
• Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is self-reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
• Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
• Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations
• Revels in latitude, seizes and runs with opportunities even where this requires operating at a level ahead of commensurate experience and knowledge, viewing these occasions positively

Personal Impact

• Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
• Negotiates to achieve outcomes that are mutually satisfactory; shows good judgement on when to stand strong and when to compromise
• Invests in, nurtures and builds a network of productive relationships
• Proactively engages in team activities to help advance the team as a whole

Humanity  

• Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent
• Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people
• Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion. 

About us

Baker McKenzie empowers clients to compete in the global economy. We provide comprehensive and practical legal advice that cuts through complexity with clear, actionable guidance. Our people represent diverse cultures and jurisdictions, combining local know-how with international expertise to ensure your business thrives across borders.

Additional Information

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. Should candidates require any reasonable adjustments and/or accommodations when applying to or interviewing with our Firm, please notify recruitmentservices@bakermckenzie.com 

Pay Transparency 

• This position is bonus eligible and includes benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) based on number of hours worked. 
• The US base compensation for this position is expected to be $136,000 to $187,000 (annually) if located in an office in the state of Illinois and $143,000 to $197,000 (annually) if located in an office in the state of Washington DC. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. 
• The base compensation for Toronto is expected to be $117,000 to 143,000 annually (CAD)
• California notice: Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates.

Requisition ID: 3174

Posting Date: 13-Jul-2026

Location Type: Hybrid

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time