Practice Group Director—Intellectual Property & Advocacy

We’re seeking a Practice Group Director to drive the success of our firm‑wide Patent, Trademark, Regulatory Affairs, Labor & Employment, and Construction Litigation Practice Groups. In this highly visible role, you’ll partner closely with Practice Group leadership and key administrative functions, including HR, Finance, Marketing, Knowledge Management, and more to align practice priorities with firmwide initiatives, drive operational excellence, and champion people‑centered processes across Practice Groups. This is a hybrid role and can be based in of any of our U.S. offices. What you’ll do:

• Act as a strategic advisor to firm and Practice Group leadership on operational, people‑related, and administrative matters; identify needs and opportunities and lead designated initiatives to advance Practice Groups’ priorities.
• Lead operational and systems initiatives within Patent and Trademark practices, including workflow design, staffing models, quality controls, resource allocation, and cross‑department coordination; maintain deep knowledge of U.S. and foreign prosecution workflows and drive continuous improvement. Supervise Intellectual Property Practice Manager.
• Partner with administrative functions (HR, Finance, Information Services, Knowledge Management, Marketing, etc.) to advance Practice Groups’ priorities and facilitate effective implementation of firm initiatives and processes within Practice Groups.
• Lead people‑focused initiatives, policies, and processes at the Practice Group level, including onboarding and offboarding, succession planning, training and career development, workload management, performance management, compensation, and associate advancement to partnership.
• Coordinate with Finance on budgets, reporting, staffing models, profitability, and matter management; monitor industry and internal trends to recommend operational enhancements.
• Facilitate client reporting and budget tracking; collaborate with Marketing on cross‑practice initiatives, sponsorships, conferences, RFPs, and intranet content.
• Support Practice Groups’ strategic business plans, clarify priorities, track progress, and help remove roadblocks; promote consistent communication across Practice Groups and administrative teams; identify and address morale, retention, and performance challenges.

What we’re looking for:

• At least 10–15 years of relevant supervisory and management experience.
• At least 7 years of patent and trademark experience, including U.S./foreign filing, prosecution, maintenance, and docketing (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Thorough knowledge of U.S. and foreign patent and trademark rules and procedures, and best practices for patent and trademark operations (including docketing and technology).
• Strong leadership and project management skills; ability to manage multiple initiatives under pressure; advanced stakeholder management and influence without authority.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, strong analytical ability, and sound judgment managing sensitive personnel and risk issues; familiarity with budgeting, forecasting, profitability analysis, and performance reporting.
• Working knowledge of artificial intelligence tools and applications, with a willingness to learn and evaluate how emerging technologies can enhance operations, improve efficiency, and support effective decision‑making.
• Desired: Advanced degree and prior law firm experience in HR or operations.

About Dorsey: Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We provide strategic legal counsel to companies worldwide across a diverse range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology. Dorsey offers opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to business professionals working 17+ hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender. Dorsey’s benefit package includes: comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender‑affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers; dental insurance; vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan with Firm contribution; basic and optional life insurance; short and long‑term disability; paid time off; up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6‑8 weeks of paid short‑term disability for business professionals who give birth; paid holidays; paid volunteer day; discretionary bonuses (if bonus eligible); adoption assistance; healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre‑tax reimbursement accounts; back‑up child and elder care program; education and college advising program; virtual tutoring; wellbeing programs and activities; mass transit program (certain offices); travel assistance program; 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.) One of our greatest strengths is a friendly, cooperative culture that values and appreciates each individual. Dorsey has received external recognition for our welcoming workplace, including:

• Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab)
• Best Law Firms for Women (National Association of Female Executives and Flex‑Time Lawyers)
• 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
• Gold Standard Certification (Women in Law Empowerment Forum)
• Top 100 Adoption‑Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Reasonable Accommodations: Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious‑based reasonable accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy or lactation‑related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, or if you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally‑protected status. Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify. The pay range for this position in Minneapolis, MN and Denver, CO only is an annual salary of $184,000 to $238,00. The pay range for this position in Chicago, IL, Washington, DC, and Costa Mesa, CA only is an annual salary of $195,000 to $252,000. The pay range for this position in Palo Alto, CA and New York, NY only is an annual salary of $205,000 to $265,000. This range represents Dorsey’s good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon a number of factors, including the candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills and location and may fall outside of the range indicated. Dorsey estimates it will accept applications through October 16, 2026. Please note that Dorsey is not currently accepting search firm submissions in connection with this opening. #J-18808-Ljbffr Dorsey & Whitney LLP