Chief Practice Support Officer
Directed a team of 150 Practice Support professionals throughout the 15 U.S. offices reporting to the Global Chief Operating Officer. Developed and implemented strategies to ensure that the Firm’s clients receive the highest quality legal support services in a cost-effective manner. Collaborated with other Chief Administrators, Practice Group leads, and diverse teams to ensure optimal operating levels and efficiencies in keeping with business strategies.• Fostered and maintained a positive, responsive, accountable and team-oriented Practice Support environment in all U.S. offices, encouraging cross-office and cross-departmental support.• Liaised effectively with Partners, clients and specific Business Unit Legal Process Managers to understand business goals, market trends, and competitors for the development of collaborative strategies. • Partnered closely with key stakeholders for proposed initiatives and recommended policy and procedural changes to the GCOO, CG, CIO, CFO and CEO.• In conjunction with the finance team, developed and managed budgets, communicated utilization and realization numbers with firm leaders and developed cost-benefit and profitability analysis for ongoing initiatives to identify areas for growth and improvement.• Developed the Firm’s innovative electronic discovery processes which brought efficient solutions using advanced technologies both in the contentious and non-contentious spaces.• Developed defensible and cost-effective solutions to create profit centers.• Leveraged in-house counsel selected vendors to achieve consistent and favorable rates for clients.• Ensured that the Practice Support departments comply with data protection, and U.S. Federal and state rules and regulations by developing and monitoring Best Practices for risk reduction, privacy and compliance.