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DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.
Summary
The Client Accounts Project Manager, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, plays a key role in supporting partners who manage complex client portfolios. This position serves as a trusted liaison among partners, clients, and internal client administration, billing, collections, and accounting teams to support effective financial management, timely communication, and strong client service delivery.
Location
This position is located in our Chicago office and offers a hybrid work schedule.
Responsibilities
Manage day-to-day engagement with designated partners, clients, and internal teams to ensure financial administration needs are addressed with accuracy, urgency, and professionalism.
Convert detailed billing, receivables, and matter information into clear business updates, insights, and recommendations that support informed partner and client decision-making.
Produce recurring reporting and financial commentary covering billing activity, collection progress, account status, and related performance trends.
Drive follow-through on outstanding items by coordinating with clients, partners, billing personnel, collections staff, and client administration teams through resolution.
Research and resolve invoice questions, charge allocation issues, budget alignment concerns, and payment barriers in coordination with appropriate internal and external stakeholders.
Support electronic billing by helping address submission errors, reductions, or rejections.
Track accruals, approved budgets, alternative fee arrangements, and matter-level financial activity to identify exceptions, emerging risks, or profitability concerns requiring escalation.
Evaluate aged receivables and open balances, partnering with responsible parties to remove obstacles, strengthen collection efforts, and improve cash flow outcomes.
Maintain ongoing visibility into client payment activity and help execute focused collection strategies that support annual financial goals.
Recommend and implement practical enhancements to workflows, communication practices, reporting methods, and service delivery processes.
Establish reusable guidance, operational standards, and knowledge-sharing resources that promote consistency across the department and support broader strategic initiatives.
Complete additional responsibilities as requested in support of departmental and firm priorities.
Desired Skills
Strong understanding of legal billing, alternative fee arrangements, matter profitability, realization rates, and client service delivery models. Experience with billing, collections, client accounting, e-billing, budgeting, accruals, legal financial systems, and matter financial management. Ability to perform analysis and reconciliation between cross-jurisdictional billing and financial systems. Experience managing global retainers and multi-jurisdictional matters preferred. Familiarity with legal financial systems such as Aderant and Intapp preferred.
Proficiency in project management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Asana, or Trello. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Excellent communication, analytical, relationship-building, problem-solving, and leadership skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights. Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, work effectively with partners, clients, and cross-functional internal teams, and drive consensus. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, follow up consistently, and drive work to completion in a deadline-driven environment. Strategic mindset with a focus on continuous improvement, innovation, operational excellence, and high-quality client service.
Minimum Education
High School Diploma or GED.
Preferred Education
Bachelors Degree in Finance, Law, Business Administration or related field.
Certificates
LPM, LPP, LPA, or equivalent project management certification preferred. PMP certificate with legal experience also desirable.
Minimum Years of Experience
5 years’ experience in legal financial operations or project management.
Essential Job Expectations
All DLA Piper employees are expected to demonstrate excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people, upholding our firm values as part of our culture. Specific expectations include:
Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences.
Produce high-quality work and respond to correspondence in an efficient, timely, and professional manner.
Meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and commit to meeting high standards.
Comply with firm policies and procedures.
Maintain confidences as required in a law firm environment.
Physical Demands
Sedentary work: This is primarily sedentary work, requiring occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. The role involves sitting for extended periods, with occasional walking and standing, and occasional travel, both domestic and international.
Work Environment
The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement combining remote and in-office work. The specific arrangement will be determined at the time of hiring and may be modified at the firm's discretion.
Disclaimer
The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.
Application Process
Interested candidates must apply directly online. Application materials sent via email will not be accepted.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position or participate in the selection process. For accommodation requests, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com.
Agency applications will not be considered.
No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.
This job description provides a concise overview of the role and is not intended to describe all work elements that may be performed. It should not serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions. Job duties, requirements, and expectations may be modified at the firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not alter the at-will nature of employment.
We are committed to excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people.
The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $110,866 - $146,900 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location.
The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).
Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.
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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.