Practice Support Analyst - Pelham Berkeley Search

The Practice Support Analyst is responsible for being the liaison between the IT Department and the practice areas of the Firm.  The Practice Support Analyst performs needs analyses, process improvements, documentation and application support for the practice areas of the Firm.  The Practice Support Analyst divides their time between practice area user support and application analysis.

Job Functions:

• Implements, and in some cases supports, technology for departments and practice areas that supports business needs of those areas.
• Provides technical applications support, troubleshooting and maintenance (including upgrades).
• Performs business needs analyses for practice and, at times, administrative groups.
• Performs workflow analysis and makes suggestions for improvement where appropriate.
• Applies progressive and critical thinking to improve client services through use of technology.
• Presents proposals and plans for technological solutions to user groups through verbal and written communications.
• Works closely with other IT staff members in collaborative fashion to ensure that technology goals of Firm are met.
• Learns new technologies and compares them to business needs to judge appropriateness.
• Supports, or in some cases manages, technological initiatives from product selection through testing, pilot testing, implementation and post-implementation support.
• Maintains ongoing relationships with application vendors, communicates change requests and manages vendor responses as needed.
• Maintains ongoing relationships with end-users to identify trends, issues and needs as they arise.

Essential Competencies:

• Works proactively with others to support efforts within a department or function of Firm.
• Organizes and prioritizes assignments and contributes to department's ability to meet or exceed goals and standards.
• Maintains current knowledge of trends and developments affecting area of specialization.
• Uses innovative thinking and exercises sound judgment to achieve results.
• Presents in public forum technical concepts to Legal users in plain English.
• Writes and communicates orally in professional, concise manner.
• Writes and executes test plans and product documentation.
• Nice to have: Understanding of law firm hierarchy, roles of legal and non-legal staff and how work flows from Partners through to Associates and administrative staff.

Qualifications:

• 2-5 years experience performing practice support in law firm or related professional setting.
• Proven in depth knowledge of business and legal specific software applications such as Microsoft Office 2010, Windows 7, HP iManage Worksite and Matter Centricity.  Knowledge and/or familiarity with: SharePoint, BEC Legal Bar, Best Authority, Workshare Compare, SQL, Report Builder, HotDocs, DocXTools, pdfDocs, Adobe Pro and/or Nuance pdfConverter.  Additionally, it would be preferred if individual has knowledge and/or familiarity of architecture behind Microsoft Office in particular, including but not limited to: understanding and editing appropriate Registry Settings, Visual Basic Scripts, Macros, Excel formulas and integration with non-Microsoft products.
• High degree of confidence along with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong technical background in practice management disciplines including ability to manage technical project independently with ability to bring it to completion.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and complete diverse assignments on timely basis.
• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills, including presenting to large groups.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead lunch and learn meetings on various topics within Group, Department and Firm.
• Willingness and interest in working in collaborative, team-based environment.
• Uses innovative thinking and exercises sound judgment to achieve results.

Physical Requirements:

• Must have minimal physical mobility.  Position may occasionally require standing, walking, reaching and lifting up to 15 pounds.
• Must have ability to operate equipment such as computer, multi-function devices, scanners and copy machines.
• Must have ability to communicate clearly and to read and follow detailed instructions.
• Must have ability to prepare assorted documents and other related materials.
• Must have ability to work in stressful conditions under time deadlines.