Professional Legal Administrator

Job Title: Professional Legal Administrator or Director of Operations Location: Dallas, Texas. Four days in office, one day work from home. Department: Administration / Law Firm Operations Reports To: Owner of Firm Employment Type: Full-time Position Summary We are a firm that handles family law and personal injury law matters. Originally founded in Seattle, where we will remain, we're expanding across Texas and the rest of America, with our first Texas office opening in Dallas in January. The Professional Legal Administrator oversees the daily business operations of a law firm, ensuring efficient administrative processes, sound financial management, effective personnel administration, regulatory compliance, and high-quality client service. This position partners with firm leadership and attorneys to support the firm's strategic objectives, profitability, growth, and operational effectiveness. Key Responsibilities 1. Firm Operations and Administration Oversee daily office operations, administrative workflows, facilities, vendors, and technology resources. Develop and implement policies, procedures, key performance indicators for each position, hiring and terminating employees, and general operational standards. Monitor workflow efficiency and identify opportunities to improve productivity and service delivery. Coordinate and develop a firm dashboard that shows all of the firm's most important metrics: from number of clients signed in the last month to the number of cases closed in the month to the monthly cashflow and accounts receivable. 2. Financial Management Assist with annual budgeting, financial forecasting, expense management, and financial reporting. Monitor accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, collections, and client trust accounting processes. Coordinate with accounting professionals to maintain accurate financial records and internal controls. Analyze financial and operational performance indicators and report findings to firm leadership. 3. Human Resources and Personnel Management Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, training, performance reviews, and employee development. Administer personnel policies, benefits coordination, leave administration, and employee records. Support employee relations and promote a professional, accountable workplace culture. Coordinate staffing levels and resource allocation in collaboration with firm leadership. 4. Legal Compliance and Risk Management Support compliance with applicable legal industry requirements, firm policies, confidentiality obligations, and records-retention standards. Coordinate conflict-checking procedures, document management, and matter administration as assigned. Help maintain appropriate safeguards for confidential client information and sensitive firm records. Coordinate insurance renewals, vendor agreements, and risk-management activities. 5. Technology and Information Management Oversee legal practice management systems, document management platforms, timekeeping, billing, and administrative software. Coordinate technology support, system upgrades, data security initiatives, and staff training. Maintain appropriate procedures for electronic records, document retention, and access controls. 6. Leadership and Strategic Planning Advise the firm owner on operational performance, staffing, budgets, and process improvements. Prepare management reports and operational metrics. Coordinate strategic initiatives, office expansions, and organizational changes. Foster collaboration among attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and administrative personnel.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, accounting, human resources, or a related field preferred. 3+ years of progressively responsible administrative or operations experience; law firm experience strongly preferred. Prior supervisory or management experience. Knowledge of law firm billing, timekeeping, budgeting, and administrative systems. Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and leadership skills. Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and relevant legal practice management software. Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

Certified Legal Manager (CLM) credential or other relevant professional certification. Experience managing law firm budgets, personnel, vendor relationships, and operational performance. Performance Measures Effective expense management and budget performance. Improved administrative efficiency and resource utilization. Compliance with firm policies and applicable professional obligations. Employee retention, staff development, and attorney satisfaction. Quality of client service and responsiveness of administrative operations. Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience, firm size, responsibilities, and qualifications, with benefits and potential performance-based incentives. Pay: $85,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year Benefits 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance Work Location: Hybrid remote in Dallas, TX 75201