At Fried Frank, we’re a community of 800 lawyers and 500 business services professionals across New York, Washington, DC, London, Frankfurt, and Brussels. We advise leading corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions on high-stakes M&A, securities, regulatory matters, real estate, and litigation. Our culture is grounded in our core values — excellence, integrity and collaboration — and is designed to foster continuous learning, meaningful mentorship, and lasting professional growth. We are firmly committed to pro bono service and social justice, building on a proud legacy in civil rights. Our inclusive talent strategy is a core part of our broader talent management efforts and we remain steadfast in fostering a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and become their best professional and personal selves. Our business services professionals are integral to the firm’s success, driving innovation, operational excellence and exceptional client service across all areas of the firm. We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including comprehensive medical coverage, retirement plans and health and wellness initiatives designed to support your personal and professional wellbeing. We welcome passionate, driven individuals to join us, and be part of a team where you’ll be supported, inspired and empowered to build an exceptional career.
Position Summary
The Client Operations Engagement Manager serves as the central coordinator for key client accounts, working closely with the Client Relationship and Supervising Partners to ensure seamless execution and delivery of legal services. Reporting to the primary Client Relationship Partner, this role is responsible for coordinating activities across partners, practice groups, and business services teams (including Finance, Marketing/Business Development, IT, and Innovation and Knowledge) to support the efficient and coordinated delivery of client work. The position is well-suited for a practicing or former attorney interested in transitioning into a client-facing operations role, leveraging their understanding of legal matters, client expectations, and law firm dynamics to drive consistency, responsiveness, and high-quality service delivery.
Duties & Responsibilities
Client Account Coordination
- Serve as the primary point of coordination for designated client accounts, supporting the Client Relationship Partner in delivering responsive and consistent client service
- Develop working relationships with client stakeholders to understand expectations and facilitate communication across teams
- Coordinate responses to client requests, ensuring timely and accurate follow-through
- Monitor client activity and proactively flag service issues or risks to the Client Relationship Partner
Cross-Functional Execution
- Work closely with the Client Relationship Partner to coordinate client account activities and ensure alignment across stakeholders
- Coordinate across attorneys and business services teams (e.g., Finance, Marketing/Business Development, IT, Innovation and Knowledge) to support the efficient delivery of client work
- Ensure alignment across multiple practice groups involved in the same client account
- Facilitate the flow of information across teams to support ongoing matters and client needs
Matter & Information Management
- Maintain visibility into active matters and support real-time reporting and information sharing across client teams
- Ensure accurate and timely entry and maintenance of client and matter data, including client interactions, in CRM and other systems
- Coordinate the collection and organization of matter-related information for internal and client-facing use
- Track and maintain client account activity and interactions to support visibility, reporting, and relationship management
Billing & Compliance Support
- Support compliance with client outside counsel guidelines by coordinating with attorneys and finance teams
- Assist in ensuring timely and accurate billing, including tracking inventory and supporting collections follow-up
- Help monitor matter budgets and escalate variances or issues as appropriate
Process & Operational Support
- Identify areas to improve coordination, communication, and workflow efficiency across client teams
- Support implementation of tools and technologies, including Innovation/AI-enabled solutions, and knowledge, that enhance service delivery
- Assist in preparing client-facing materials, including reports, presentations, and updates
- Identify opportunities to improve coordination, communication, and workflow efficiency across client teams, including through the use of data and client feedback
- Analyze client feedback and available data to identify trends and recommend improvements to service delivery and client experience
Business Development Support
- Collaborate closely with Marketing/Business Development to support execution of client development initiatives, with Marketing/Business Development retaining primary responsibility for strategy, positioning, and pitch leadership
- Coordinate, in partnership with Marketing/Business Development, the inputs and logistics required for pitches, proposals, and client reporting across partners and internal teams
- Support Marketing/Business Development in tracking client activity and follow-through on key initiatives
Qualifications
Education
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) strongly preferred. In lieu of a J.D., candidates should bring substantial experience in a law firm, professional services, or other complex, client-facing environment, demonstrating the ability to support sophisticated client engagements and work effectively with senior stakeholders.
Experience
- 4–7+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, or in a law firm, professional services, or other complex, client-facing environment involving coordination across multiple stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, client-driven environment
- Familiarity with how legal matters are staffed, managed, and delivered
- Interest in transitioning into a client operations / coordination-focused role
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong organizational and coordination skills across multiple stakeholders
- Ability to navigate shifting priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Clear and professional communication with attorneys, clients, and business teams
- Ability to operate effectively with senior stakeholders, including partners and client representatives
- High attention to detail and follow-through
- Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information
- Comfort working with data, reporting, and systems to support client service delivery
Attorney Career Transition Opportunity
- Leverages legal training and matter experience without requiring traditional practice, while also appealing to individuals with experience in complex, client-facing environments
- High exposure to partners, clients, and firm operations
- Opportunity to build expertise in the business side of law firms
- Pathway into broader client management or operations leadership roles