IP Billing Supervisor

IP Billing Supervisor

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, one of the world's leading global law firms with offices in strategic hubs of commerce, law, and government across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, is seeking to hire an IP Billing Supervisor to join our Intellectual Property Patent Support Unit (PATSU). The IP Billing Supervisor will be responsible for supervising a team of IP Billing Specialists, ensuring the accurate and timely preparation of client bills for assigned clients and matters and supporting the partners with managing their client inventories. The IP Billing Supervisor is supervised by the Senior Manager of Patent Support Services, but will have daily contact with, and will receive guidance from attorneys and patent agents in the practice group for whom this individual provides support.

Morgan Lewis recognizes the benefits of supporting flexible working arrangements. This position will reside in our Washington, DC office with a hybrid in-office/remote working schedule. Flexibility with overtime is required.

Key responsibilities of this position may include:

• Performing all tasks in support of Senior Manager of Patent Support Services while managing assigned clients and collaborating with IP Patent Prosecution team and Attorneys.
• Leads the training of employees; planning, assigning, and directing work assignments; assists the senior manager in interviewing, hiring, appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Updates and improves the firm's Patent billing processes and procedures.
• Supports the Partners by managing all aspects of billing for assigned clients and matters and monitoring unbilled and accounts receivable balances.
• Reviews matter set up to ensure compliance with rate agreements and outside counsel guidelines.
• Ensures the matter set-up, prebill review, rates, billing requirements (including eBilling, as appropriate), and client-required reporting is correct.
• Facilitates set-up and provides reporting for budgets, alternate fee arrangements and accrual requests. Assistance will be provided from Firm Finance when needed for more complex reporting requirements.
• Reviews time entries based on client and matter requirements (block billing, task codes, summer associate time etc.). Reviews cost entries for compliance and make Partner aware of any issues.
• Proactively contacts assigned new partners to assist with reviewing client agreements and rate set up, reviewing billing procedures and expectations, ensuring all required billing setups are in place.
• Demonstrates solid judgment and diplomacy when executing Partner requests, and when interacting with team members and senior management. Assumes responsibility for maintaining the highest level of confidentiality of all financial and systems-related information.
• Leads by example; establishes clear expectations; sets direction and priorities; ensures that work levels are balanced among all staff; resolves internal staff issues in a timely manner; keeps staff informed of all appropriate information; builds effective team; delegates at appropriate level.
• Facilitates the development of staff by providing opportunities and support; provides timely feedback on work product; regularly coaches, evaluates, and recognizes staff performance and accomplishments.
• Leads special projects and overflow work.
• Assists with On Accounts, credit notes and other high-level billing tasks.
• Generates and distributes demand and monthly proformas to billing attorneys Processes edits, transfers, and changes as directed by billing attorney.
• Produces draft bills for approval.
• Cooperatively works with billing attorneys and secretaries to prepare final bills to forward to clients.
• Researches client account activities, resolving billing inquiries, and generating reports on demand.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university; and
• A minimum of seven (7) years of billing or accounting experience, with three (3) years in a lead or supervisory role strongly preferred; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with 3E Billing preferred.
• Experience supporting Intellectual Property attorneys and staff preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong proofreading skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Time management and organizational skills to prioritize work.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to think critically and see "big picture" effects.
• Self-starter with a professional demeanor and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a wide range of individuals with differing opinions and diverse personalities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, iManage, and ability to adapt to new software programs.
• Candidates must possess a team-oriented attitude.

Benefits / Why Join Us

Morgan Lewis offers attractive benefits and competitive salaries. Our compensation structure rewards exceptional performance and recognizes the talent and experience that our people gain with each year of service. We are committed to offering the best and most comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical coverage, with a variety of plans
• Health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts
• Domestic partner coverage
• Parental leave
• Vacation and holiday leave
• Life and accident insurance
• Income protection, including sick leave, salary continuation, and long term disability.