Are you a detail-oriented professional with deep experience in legal technology and process improvement? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation ("Democracy Forward") is looking for a Legal Technology and Operations Manager to join our team.
The Legal Technology and Operations Manager will play an instrumental role in ensuring the effective and efficient work of the Legal Team, which includes our litigators and legal support team of paralegals and legal assistants. The Legal Team has an exceptionally fast-paced and growing litigation docket and regularly files on tight timelines. This position is responsible for understanding the Legal Team's technological needs and workflows, helping the team use the platforms it has, recommending and testing additional platforms and applications, and assisting the team with filings and discovery when necessary.
The Legal Team uses several technology platforms (e.g., Westlaw, Logikcull, Orbital, CourtDrive, Sharepoint, Word, Adobe, CourtDrive, Google suite, AirTable, Permacc, PACER, CM-ECF)). This Legal Technology and Operations Manager is responsible for recommending workflows for these platforms given the team's needs and platform capability, and then implementing and trouble shooting those workflows so the Legal Team can use the platforms with minimum disruption. This position would also be the primary liaison with our current vendors, and explore new platforms and applications that meet the Legal Team's needs and workflows. The position is also responsible for assisting in the maintenance of accurate data and files so that reports can be accurately and easily created. On occasion, the Legal Technology and Operations Manager may be asked to support filings and discovery productions.
This position is full time and may require evening and weekend work when there are time-sensitive filings or problems that need to be fixed. Democracy Forward's office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week) to effectively support the Legal Team.
The Legal Technology and Operations Manager will report to the Managing Attorney and work closely with the Deputy Managing Attorneys and will support other members of the Legal Team.
Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department.
Information Technology:
- Based on the Legal Team's workflow and needs, provide expertise and assistance on existing Legal Team technology and platforms so that the Legal Team gets the maximum utility from these platforms.
- Serve as the Legal Team's dedicated liaison to the organization's IT team, building and maintaining a strong collaborative relationship to ensure the Legal Team's needs are effectively met across enterprise-wide systems, infrastructure changes, and technology initiatives.
- Identify skills gaps and recommend and create/coordinate training for the Legal Team on existing platforms.
- Evaluate the Legal Team's use of technology and platforms and recommend improvements.
- Research and recommend cost-efficient new legal platforms and technology for use by the Legal Team that will increase the Team's efficiency and improve its recordkeeping, organization, and efficacy while fitting with its workflow and priorities.
- When a new platform or technology is selected by the Legal Team, test its application to ensure its utility, identify problems and potential solutions to full-scale adoption, organize vendor trainings, and provide hands-on user support and resources to encourage adoption.
- Develop relationships with vendors to evaluate technology and platforms and to get answers to Legal Team questions.
- Track the Legal Team's contracts regarding technology and platforms to ensure timely renewal and identify duplicative or unnecessary services.
- Support organizational leadership in cultivating a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and excellence, including through real-time support and skills development for the Legal Team (including the Legal Support Team).
Data Management:
- Assist the managers of the Legal Team to obtain, audit, maintain, and evaluate data regarding the Team's work and the use of the Legal Team's resources.
- As necessary, clean data and organize folders to ensure files are appropriately maintained and easy to find.
- Recommend improvements in the accuracy and type of data maintained regarding cases, investigations, actions, clients, co-counsel, partners, and other information needed by the organization.
- As necessary, create reports regarding the Legal Team's work using the data maintained by the Team for internal or external use.
- As necessary, assist other parts of DF in obtaining necessary Legal Team data, syncing systems with Legal data, and developing systems to track relevant information.
We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.
Required:
We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.
- 5+ years in a legal operations, litigation support, or legal technology role — or a comparable mix of legal and technology experience.
- Experience working in a fast-paced litigation environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing or administering legal technology platforms.
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts and workflows into clear, accessible language for non-technical legal staff.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience coordinating with external vendors and legal staff.
- Experience managing, organizing, and auditing large volumes of legal data and documents, with a strong attention to accuracy and file hygiene.
- Familiarity with e-discovery platforms and litigation support tools; ability to evaluate new platforms against the team's operational needs and recommend solutions.
- This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings.
- This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.
The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience.
Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia.
Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar. Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying.
Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected] or 833-391-4732.
