Director of Paralegal Services

Overview Lewis Brisbois, a national full service AmLaw 100 law firm, is seeking a Director of Paralegal Services for our Chicago, IL office. The Director of Paralegal Services will lead the creation of a centrally managed firmwide program consisting of approximately 200 paralegals operating in more than 55 offices and is responsible for the day-to-day operations, service delivery, and management performance of all paralegals in the Firm. This role is foundational to elevating the paralegal function from a decentralized administrative group into a strategic, revenue-enhancing operational department. Critical to the success of this role is an individual that possesses the ability to build the structure, standards, and operational oversight necessary to transform these independent pockets into a cohesive, high-performing department. This position reports to the Chief Administrative Officer. Responsibilities The Director will be responsible for designing and implementing the full paralegal operating model, including: Firmwide organizational structure and governance with defined levels, centralized oversight, and consistent job standards Workload, staffing, and utilization management, ensuring the correct work goes to the correct paralegal, at the right level, and at the proper time—improving efficiency and reducing bottlenecks Standardized processes and quality controls across all practice groups, resulting in predictable, consistent work product regardless of location Compensation bands, bill rate alignment, and a unified hours model to ensure fairness, transparency, and profitability in conjunction with our HR team Training, development, and career pathing to build a sustainable talent pipeline and grow legal secretaries and paralegals into higher-value, revenue-producing roles. Offering and tracking CLE courses and requirements Firmwide performance management using consistent evaluation tools, competency matrices, and measurable expectations in conjunction with HR Technology alignment and automation, including workload assignment tools, utilization dashboards (Grid, Iridium), and standardized platforms for eDiscovery, trial prep, DMS (iManage), and legal research. Operational policies, best practices, and developing a comprehensive paralegal handbook that unify timekeeping, overtime, remote work, and client-facing expectations Change management and communication across all offices to ensure smooth adoption and clear visibility into progress Long-term program governance, including annual reviews of staffing levels, billing rates, utilization trends, and continuous improvement initiatives Minimum Salary USD $150,000.00/Yr. Maximum Salary USD $200,000.00/Yr. #J-18808-Ljbffr Lewis-Brisbois