Department Operating Officer (Intellectual Property)

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The Department Operating Officer (DOO) is responsible for the practice management and operational support of the Intellectual Property Department (IPD).  This person has overall responsibility for developing, implementing and managing procedures, systems and staff to effectively support the diverse needs of the Department and its practice areas. The DOO works closely with and in support of the Chief Practice Officer, Department Chair, the Vice Chairs, Practice Group Chairs, firm and administrative leadership, and the firm’s IPD lawyers, patent professionals, paralegals and business professionals across a variety of functions. This position handles a wide variety of strategic, operational, financial, talent, and practice and project management initiatives, primarily guided by the firm’s strategic plan and objectives and the need to create long term, sustainable success in the Department.

Operational and Strategic Practice Management

• Work with Chief Practice Officer, Department Chair, Vice Chairs and firm leadership team in advancement of firm and Department strategic initiatives.
• Work with Department and Practice Group leadership to monitor market, practice and demand trends. Master and utilize firm resources, systems and applications to provide financial or other analyses as needed to understand and effect strategic changes in the Department.
• Collaborate with business development & marketing to accomplish key business plan objectives and track accountability of practice groups, client teams and partners.
• Instill a culture of engagement, collaboration and relationship building with attorneys. Visit offices to meet with attorneys and attend appropriate Department and firm meetings to help facilitate connections between attorneys within and outside the Department.
• Assist in lateral hiring processes, including assessment of hiring needs and monitoring onboarding and integration issues.
• Facilitate the development and communication of financial and operational updates, department plans, strategies and issues to department leadership and members.
• Identify operational issues and requirements related to design, implementation and performance of Department business and practice management processes. Challenge existing procedures and identify areas for improvements.
• Manage the firm’s intellectual property docketing, transfer, and other IP-related administrative teams.

Financial

• Assist Firm and Department leadership in developing and managing financial Department operating budgets.
• Identify and analyze performance and demand trends and assist the Department Chair in managing toward Department and Firm objectives, with emphasis on utilization, demand and cross-servicing clients.
• Review financial results and trends with the Department Chair and other firm leaders as needed.
• In coordination with the Practice and Pricing Analytics team and the Department Chair, evaluate pricing and profitability trends for practice groups, partners and clients and support the evaluation and implementation of annual rates, pricing arrangements, and outside counsel guideline financial terms, as appropriate.
• In coordination with Accounting & Finance Department, identify, elevate and address attorney business practice issues, including time entry issues and aged WIP and A/R balances.

Talent/Human Resources

• Assist Department Chair and Vice Chairs in the compensation, bonus and promotion processes for all attorneys and patent professionals in the Department.
• Monitor attorney productivity and utilization. Assist with work allocation where needed.
• Assess attorney and patent professional staffing needs and business case for hiring within the Department and Practice Groups. Work with the Legal Recruiting team and Department/Office Leadership throughout the hiring process.
• In coordination with Professional Development team, regularly review and enhance training programs offered by the Department for attorneys, patent professionals, and business professionals. This includes assessing the training needs of all lawyers (including Partners) and making appropriate recommendations for the same.
• Assist with attorney offboarding and departure process items, including coordinating with various administrative and project teams.
• Work with the Director of Paralegals to provide consultative guidance on hiring, staffing and utilization of non-attorney timekeepers in the Department.

Project Management/Other

• Lead and/or participate in implementing firm-initiated projects. Serve as a conduit for project teams in disseminating and communicating new tools and programs.
• Work with Firm Leadership, Chief Practice Officer, Department Chair and Vice Chairs, Office leadership and other administrative leadership related to implementation and management of other strategic and operational objectives.

• Bachelor's Degree required, JD or MBA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of either intellectual property practice experience within AmLaw 100 firms or ten (10) years of position‑related experience, e.g., senior‑level management position, with demonstrated leadership abilities, record of achievement, increasing responsibility, and business acumen required. 
• Law firm experience, including direct practice, operations and practice management, and/or pricing and business development or talent management experience, strongly preferred.
• Management and supervisory experience required.
• Familiarity with the intellectual property practice area in the legal service vertical strongly preferred.

In support of transparency and equity in the workplace, Foley provides salary ranges for all positions. The figures below represent the full compensation range of this position. The actual offered amount will be between the range minimum and midpoint based on the following factors: education, experience, geographic market, and internal pay equity at Foley.

- $222,200 to $333,300