Practice Manager, Labor & Employment

BakerHostetler is seeking an experienced practice management professional to serve as Practice Manager for its Labor & Employment Practice Group.

Reporting directly to the Chief Talent Officer, the Practice Manager will serve as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to the Labor & Employment Practice Group Chair and practice leadership. Functioning in many respects as a Chief of Staff-type resource, this individual will help drive the business, financial, talent, and operational strategy of one of the firm's key practice groups.

This highly visible role requires a professional with exceptional judgment, executive presence, business acumen, and relationship-building skills. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings creative and strategic thinking to complex challenges, and is energized by the opportunity to influence outcomes and drive initiatives forward.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with practice leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives aligned with practice and firm objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on business, operational, talent, and organizational matters.
• Support long-term planning, workforce planning, succession planning, and practice growth initiatives.
• Drive accountability and progress against key priorities.

Financial Management and Business Performance

• Analyze financial, operational, utilization, and productivity metrics, identify the underlying drivers of performance, and provide recommendations that improve business outcomes.
• Assist practice leadership with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, productivity, and operational effectiveness.
• Present complex financial and business information in a clear and meaningful manner.

Talent Management and Resource Planning

• Partner with practice leadership on staffing, workforce planning, associate utilization, and hiring needs.
• Collaborate with Recruiting, Professional Development, Human Resources, and firm leadership on attorney hiring, onboarding, development, retention, and succession planning.
• Assist with personnel-related matters utilizing sound judgment and discretion.
• Support attorney development and career progression initiatives.

Operations and Practice Management

• Serve as a liaison between the practice and business services departments.
• Build strong partnerships across firm functions and help navigate resources to advance practice priorities.
• Lead special projects, operational initiatives, and process improvements.
• Develop and implement best practices that improve efficiency, communication, and collaboration.
• Support practice meetings, retreats, reporting, and strategic communications.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• MBA, JD, or other relevant advanced degrees are preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in practice management, business operations, professional services management, or a related field.
• Experience working within a law firm or professional services environment is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated executive presence and the ability to establish credibility with attorneys, firm leadership, and business professionals.
• Experience advising leadership and managing complex business, financial, operational, or talent-related initiatives.
• Prior experience supporting Labor & Employment, Litigation, Regulatory, or similar complex practices is preferred.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong executive presence, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Exceptional financial and business acumen.
• Ability to analyze complex information and develop practical recommendations.
• Experience navigating sensitive personnel and organizational matters.
• Outstanding relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Creative, strategic, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Superior written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and drive initiatives to completion in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
• High degree of initiative, ownership, and accountability.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.

Why BakerHostetler

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence the performance and future direction of a nationally recognized Labor & Employment practice.

BakerHostetler is among a relatively small number of Am Law 100 firms that maintain both a standalone Labor & Employment Practice Group and dedicated Practice Management leadership supporting the business and strategic objectives of the practice. This structure provides an uncommon opportunity to influence practice performance, talent strategy, operational effectiveness, and long-term growth from a highly visible leadership position.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Partner directly with the Labor & Employment Practice Group Chair, Chief Talent Officer, and firm leadership.
• Influence financial performance, staffing strategy, attorney development, succession planning, and operational execution.
• Help shape and strengthen BakerHostetler's Practice Management function.
• Build processes, implement best practices, and drive meaningful organizational impact.
• Serve in a highly strategic role offering significant visibility and career growth opportunity.

Compensation

The expected annual salary for this position is $170,000-$250,000. Compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, education, and relevant skills.

Benefits

Offering competitive pay and benefits while providing a collegial and respectful work environment is part of our commitment to fostering a workplace that values employees.

Our comprehensive and competitive benefits program includes:

• Competitive salaries and a performance bonus program
• Group health, dental, and vision insurance
• Multiple plan options and various benefit levels
• Same-sex domestic partner coverage
• Pre-tax premiums
• Coverage beginning on the date of hire
• Group term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Voluntary supplemental group universal life insurance
• Voluntary accident insurance for employees and their families
• Long-term care insurance
• Short-term disability benefits
• Long-term disability benefits
• Pre-tax benefit programs, including dependent care, health care reimbursement, and transit or qualified parking benefits in most cities
• Retirement program, including a voluntary 401(k) plan

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter through the BakerHostetler Careers website.

Equal Employment Opportunity

BakerHostetler is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

BakerHostetler provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and applicants with sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law.