Client Accounts Project Manager - CT

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Summary

The Client Accounts Project Manager – CT, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, plays a critical role in optimizing the delivery of processing revenue for legal services by managing complex legal matters, improving financial performance, and ensuring alignment with client expectations. This role bridges legal expertise and legal revenue management with project management discipline to drive efficiency, profitability, and compliance across legal engagements.

Location

This position is located in our Chicago office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities        

• Project Planning & Execution

  • Develop and implement project plans for legal matters, including scope, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.

  • Coordinate with attorneys, billing managers, and client teams to ensure smooth execution across jurisdictions.
     

• Financial Oversight

  • Monitor matter-level profitability, realization, and budget adherence.

  • Provide financial analysis and reporting using tools like Betterment’s dashboard, AssessLex, or the Dell MyFinancials Dashboard.      

• Client & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as liaison between legal teams and clients to manage expectations and deliverables.

  • Monitors and Communicates client-specific timekeeping guidelines to attorneys working on the client.

  • Facilitate timekeeper onboarding, billing coordination, and compliance with Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCGs).          
     

• Process Optimization

  • Standardize workflows and identify potential improvements to legacy systems to support scalable service delivery.

  • Lead initiatives to automate rate loading, billing instructions, and escalation workflows.
               

• Training & Enablement

  • Conduct training sessions on financial acumen, matter management, and firm economics.

  • Mentor junior staff and support cross-functional collaboration. 
               

Desired Skills   

Strong understanding of legal billing, AFAs, and client service delivery models. Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Asana, Trello). Excellent communication, analytical, and leadership skills. Experience managing global retainers and multi-jurisdictional matters. Familiarity with legal financial systems (e.g., Aderant, IntApp). Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and drive consensus. Strategic mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation. Advanced Microsoft Office Suite. Analysis and reconciliation between cross-jurisdictional billing and financial systems.
 

Performance metrics include matter profitability and realization rates; client satisfaction and retention; timeliness and accuracy of billing and reporting; and adoption of standardized processes and tools.

Minimum Education                                    

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Business Administration or related field.
   

Certificates

• LPM, LPP, LPA, or equivalent project management certification preferred. PMP certificate with legal experience also desirable.
   

Minimum Years of Experience  

• 5 years’ experience in legal operations or project management.

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:
 

• 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