Senior Practice Manager, Patents and Innovations

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow our staff exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Practice Manager has responsibility for managing the daily operations of the Patents and Innovations team. This role reports to the Patents and Innovations Chief Practice Officer, and requires close collaboration with the patent managers and other administrative departments.

• Execute of strategic initiatives and manage a team of individual contributors and managers, ensuring alignment with the firm’s goals.
• Identify areas for improvement, streamline workflows, and implement best practices to ensure consistency and compliance across the firm.
• Serve as a thought leader, promoting the firm’s patent prosecution practice and elevating its internal and external profile.
• Lead various team and committee meetings, including scheduling, agenda setting, facilitating discussions, and tracking action items, to ensure effective communication across the department.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the US Patent Paralegal staff, ensuring effective workflow management, staff optimization, and issue resolution. Recommend and implement staffing strategies to optimize resource utilization.
• Oversee hiring, performance evaluations, compensation reviews, and onboarding processes. Recommend and implement staff development and retention strategies.
• Work with the Chief Practice Officer and Finance team to track performance metrics, assess utilization and productivity, and recommend strategies for financial improvement.
• Develop and manage training programs tailored to the needs of non-attorney professionals. Focus on enhancing staff skills in patent prosecution, foreign filings, and client service, ensuring continuous professional development and job satisfaction. Identify training needs and opportunities for upskilling.
• Collaborate with the Chief Practice Officer and the firm’s professional and career development teams on ongoing departmental training initiatives which aim to promote professional growth, and skill development among attorneys, patent agents, and staff.
• Interact with IT to evaluate and implement technology solutions that streamline patent prosecution processes and improve operational efficiency.
• Manage client needs and expectations, aligning efforts with the department’s vision for client service excellence.
• Lead and manage key projects and departmental initiatives from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with the established strategic objectives and the Chief Practice Officer’s priorities.
• Provide leadership ensuring continued excellence in team performance.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• 15 years of patent prosecution experience, with 8 years in a senior leadership or managerial role, preferably in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent education/experience.
• Project management experience.
• Experience managing remote teams is preferred.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
• Experience supporting executive leadership.

The primary location for this job posting is in Palo Alto, but other locations may be listed. The actual base pay offered will depend upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, professional certifications and licenses, and work location. The anticipated pay range for this position is as follows:

San Francisco and Silicon Valley: $163,200 – $220,800 per year

Boston, District of Columbia, New York, and San Diego: $147,050 – $198,950 per year

The compensation for this position may include a discretionary year-end merit bonus based on performance. We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).