Director of Legal Support Services

Are you a legal professional who excels at both understanding what attorneys need AND leading a team to deliver it?

Amata is Chicago's law-first office, support, and community platform for attorneys and legal-adjacent professionals. We're not a generic cooking space - we're the backstage partner for solo practitioners, boutique and growth-minded firms, and the professional service organizations that serve them.

We handle the details that keep a practice running - reception, office space, events, community, and operational support - so our members can focus on their clients and cases. Our centers are designed to feel like a real legal community, not just a collection of offices. Our clients depend on us so they can focus on practicing law. You'll be central to making that happen.

We are seeking a Director of Legal Services to lead our operations across multiple Chicago locations. This is a unique opportunity to combine your legal expertise with leadership and business development in a role that truly makes a difference for solo practitioners and small law firms. This isn't traditional practice, firm management, or pure operations - it's a hybrid role where your J.D. or deep legal knowledge becomes your superpower in understanding client needs, your leadership skills drive team excellence, and your networking ability grows the business.

Client Relations & Business Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with attorney clients across all Amata locations
• Conduct consultations to understand clients' specific legal practice areas and support needs
• Network within the legal community to expand Amata's support service client base
• Serve as the primary point of contact for complex client service requests
• Proactively identify opportunities to support clients' evolving needs

Operations & Service Coordination

• Oversee the delivery of paralegal and administrative support services across multiple locations
• Match attorney clients with appropriate paralegal resources based on practice area expertise
• Coordinate workflow distribution among the paralegal team to ensure efficient service delivery
• Develop and maintain service delivery standards and quality control protocols
• Monitor project timelines and deliverables to ensure client satisfaction
• Supervise and provide leadership to office managers at all Amata locations
• Recruit, train, and mentor paralegal staff to maintain high-quality service standards
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide professional development guidance
• Foster a collaborative team culture focused on excellence in client service
• Schedule and allocate resources effectively across multiple locations

Legal Expertise & Quality Assurance

• Apply working knowledge of legal procedures, court systems, and practice requirements
• Review paralegal work product for accuracy and compliance with legal standards
• Stay current on relevant legal developments and best practices
• Ensure all support services align with ethical obligations and professional standards
• Troubleshoot complex legal support issues and provide expert guidance

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree strongly preferred
• Paralegal certificate or equivalent legal education (if J.D. not held)
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in legal practice, paralegal work, or legal operations
• Proven experience supervising teams in a professional services environment
• Working knowledge of multiple practice areas and legal procedures
• Comprehensive understanding of what attorneys need from support services
• Strong project management or organizational abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to quickly understand different legal practice areas and requirements
• Strategic thinking with a client-service orientation
• Comfortable with technology and legal practice management software
• Strong networking and relationship-building capabilities

• Professional demeanor appropriate for attorney-facing interactions
• Detail-oriented with commitment to quality
• Adaptable and comfortable managing multiple priorities
• Collaborative leadership style
• Problem-solver with sound judgement
• Entrepreneurial mindset with business development acumen

• Salary range of $86,000 - $96,000 plus bonus plan
• Health, dental, life/ADD, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) or retirement plan
• Opportunity to shape legal support services for a growing organization
• Exposure to diverse legal practice areas and clients