Practice Manager - Tax, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits, Tax Controversy

About the role

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm that advises clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm's work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision. This Practice Manager position is essential to maintaining that distinction for the Tax, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits, and Tax Controversy practices. Based in multiple U.S. offices, the role supports day-to-day operations and the implementation of strategic initiatives in collaboration with practice group and practice management leadership. You will own the operational backbone for multiple practices, designing workflows so complex matters move smoothly across offices. You will guard firm strategy while enabling partner ambitions through precise coordination and relentless follow-through. Your judgment will shape how teams collaborate across offices while protecting client confidentiality and quality standards.

Key facts

Location options include Century City; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; New York; Orange County; Palo Alto; San Francisco; and Washington, D.C. The Practice Manager will support the Tax, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits, and Tax Controversy practices with strategic implementation. Compensation consists of a base salary ranging from $185,000 to $220,000 plus a year-end bonus.

What you'll do

You will orchestrate intake workflows so matter data moves cleanly between teams and offices. You will design build routines that translate partner directives into actionable steps for cross-functional teams. You will champion review cycles where feedback flows efficiently and decisions are documented clearly. You will own ship processes that coordinate approvals, ensuring deliverables meet quality standards and deadlines. You will forge partner-level alignment so strategic initiatives advance across practice groups and offices. You will guide talent management by tracking performance, potential, and succession within the group. You will manage external visibility through rankings, awards, and client updates while safeguarding firm reputation. You will coordinate with marketing, recruiting, and technology teams to remove blockers for attorneys in practice. You will drive education programs that translate firm standards into practice-specific guidance and training. You will analyze practice data to highlight trends, risks, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Requirements

You must handle sensitive information with discretion across jurisdictions and client types. You must communicate clearly in speech and writing while collaborating with diverse stakeholders and departments. You must operate independently within a team and delegate resources to support geographically dispersed colleagues. You must demonstrate initiative, critical thinking, and sound judgment while managing competing priorities under pressure. You must understand how matters flow in a law firm and how attorneys practice within that system.

Nice to have

You should be comfortable working in matrixed environments where influence guides outcomes across offices and departments.

Skills & tools

No specific tools are listed; general business software may apply.

Professional context

This role reports to the Firm's Director of Practice Management, US Transactions under the Chief Legal Operating Officer and will work closely with the Firm's other Practice Managers. You will be a key element of the firm's business services function and join a growing practice management team collectively responsible for supporting practice leaders. This includes serving as information conduits to support cross-department and cross-office initiatives and projects. You will develop agendas and drive follow-up for regular partner and group meetings. You will partner with marketing, business development, and communications teams to support the firm's business development efforts, including managing external events, rankings and awards submissions, client updates, and identification of targets for existing clients. You will manage tracking of all practice-specific data including pitches, targets, client outreach, and staffing. You will work cross-functionally with professional development and diversity departments to support and promote attorney development and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. You will work with the professional development team to develop practice-specific educational trainings and CLE programming. You will identify opportunities for process improvement and drive follow-through on execution. You will work to manage the associate journey for practice groups, including mentorship, review support, low billing, and other career guidance.