IT Lead/Manager, Legal Environment Preferred, Hybrid

IT Lead/Manager – Hybrid, Chicago, IL We are seeking a hands‑on IT Lead/Manager to support and enhance the technology environment at a growing law firm with 80+ employees. This role is ideal for someone who understands that in a legal setting, technology is mission‑critical; downtime impacts client service, deadlines, and case outcomes. You will serve as a trusted partner to attorneys, paralegals, and operations leadership, ensuring systems are reliable, secure, and optimised for legal workflows. You will balance day‑to‑day IT execution with continuous improvement, helping the firm operate efficiently while maintaining strict confidentiality and security standards. This is a Hybrid position in Chicago, IL with some onsite required. Responsibilities Ensure uptime and reliability of core systems supporting legal operations (network, file access, VPN, printing, devices). Provide responsive, white‑glove IT support to attorneys and staff in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment. Troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly, minimizing disruption to billable work and court deadlines. Liaise with external IT and security vendors, ensuring service quality and accountability. Support and improve document management, file access, and collaboration workflows critical to legal teams. Deploy and manage user technology (laptops, mobile devices, applications) for onboarding and ongoing use. Evaluate, test, and implement new tools that improve legal productivity and efficiency. Support cybersecurity and compliance efforts, including SOC 2 and client‑driven security assessments. Help develop and maintain IT policies and procedures aligned with confidentiality, data protection, and ethical obligations. Lead and mentor IT staff while coordinating internal and external support resources. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience). 4+ years of hands‑on IT experience in a professional environment. Experience supporting multi‑user environments and end‑user computing. Prior leadership or supervisory experience required. Experience supporting IT in a professional services or legal environment (law firm experience strongly preferred). Strong understanding of networking and secure remote access (VPN, MFA, file sharing). Ability to operate in a high‑pressure, deadline‑driven environment where responsiveness matters. Proven ability to communicate clearly with non‑technical professionals, including attorneys. Experience managing vendors and third‑party IT providers. Strong troubleshooting skills across Windows, Mac, and common office platforms. High level of professionalism, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality. A proactive mindset – anticipating issues before they impact legal work. Experience with legal technologies (e.g., document management systems) is a plus. Familiarity with security and compliance frameworks (SOC 2, client security questionnaires) is a plus. Certifications such as CompTIA, Network+, Cisco (CCNA), or similar are a plus. Experience supporting multi‑user environments and end‑user computing is a plus. Proven ability to work successfully with limited supervision. Graphic Design skills are a plus. Benefits Benefits include medical insurance, retirement plan, PTO, etc. #J-18808-Ljbffr Next Step Systems