SMALL LAW FIRM SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED DIRECTOR OF LEGAL OPERATIONS

We are looking for a Director of Legal Operations (also called a “Legal COO”) to work directly with the Law Firm Owner to oversee everything in the law firm, except the practice of law. This includes not only strategic planning, project management, and critical administrative and financial oversight, but also a key leadership role in shaping and sustaining firm culture. We need a Director of Legal Operations who is a PRO at workflow and project management, who deeply understands employee engagement, who is metrics and KPI driven, and who will be make important contributions to the success of the Firm.

About the position
We’re an established law firm with offices just outside of St Paul, MN. We need a full-blown bona fide professional Director of Legal Operations who has experience running an office and building a successful business. This is a position akin to an Executive Director, Director of Operations, Legal COO, or Controller.

We are NOT looking for an Office Manager or an Administrative Assistant. Do NOT apply if your only prior experience is as an Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, or Office Manager.

Compensation: $100,000 - $120,000 DOE This is an executive-level position with an executive compensation plan that includes a salary and incentives driven by performance towards KPIs.

The position encompasses a wide range of activities with involvement in all phases of administration, personnel, finances, facilities, and business systems. We need someone with the experience and maturity to work closely with the Owner and key staff on strategy, policy, problem-solving, and decision-making. This position will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the day-to-day operations of the Firm, and for directing the implementation of Firm policies.

We are building a firm where systems run the business, and people run the systems. This position is responsible for improving both our people and our systems.

You must be able to show evidence of your prior success with:

• Playing a role in management of teams of 15+ people and budgets of $10,000,000 or more
• Systems management and process refinement to ensure matters are handed appropriately so that client needs are met, legal ethical requirements are met, and clients receive excellent service
• Employee recruitment, engagement, leadership, supervision, and termination
• Measuring what matters and using common financial reports to make business decisions (budget variance, PL, cashflow forecast)
• Managing vendors such as bookkeepers, accountants, and technology services

We care about skills and experience. We care just as much about your behaviors, habits, and attitudes…the right person for this role must:

• Lead change - drive it and thrive in it
• Talk more about the solution than the problem
• Equally embrace both aspects of the “work/life balance”
• Never hesitate to praise when deserved and correct respectfully when needed
• Have thick skin and high empathy
• Have keen conflict resolution skills (not conflict avoidance skills)
• Ideal applicants will have the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities recommended by the Association of Legal Administrators.
• Prior legal experience is valued. Knowledge of our areas of practice will be helpful.
• In all cases, you need to commit to getting yourself up to speed quickly because you will be expected to make sure cases and clients are getting the attention they need and that the staff is following the rules.

Safe Harbor Estate Law is a firm focused on Estate Planning and Elder Law. We are passionate about helping our clients protect themselves, their loved ones, and their assets.  We pride ourselves on helping our clients achieve their goals while providing an outstanding client experience.  In 2021, (for the third consecutive year) we were a Law Firm 500 award winner as one of the top 25 fastest-growing law firms in the US. We find it very rewarding to work together collaboratively to help more clients every year.