Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a leading national law firm with multiple offices in the United States.  With approximately 500 lawyers and 1,000 personnel, we are a traditional, yet innovative and diverse Firm and our people are our highest priority.

Our Chicago office is seeking a Manager, Credit & Collections who will work under the direction of the Director, Client Account Teams to oversee the day-to-day activities of collection staff to ensure the timely receipt of firm receivables and achieving monthly firm collection targets.  The position requires an individual who is familiar with the challenges posed by collections in a law firm/professional services environment and has experience successfully overcoming those challenges.

Essential Functions Include:

• Manage collection staff; recruit, train, and evaluate as necessary; develop staff through formal and informal coaching, mentoring, appropriate assignments and annual performance review.
• Establish work priorities and performance expectations for collection staff; ensure that work conforms and adheres to established policies and procedures.  
• Review outstanding investments in Work in Process/Accounts Receivable and identify items requiring action, either by assignment to billing/collection staff, discussion with responsible attorneys, designated Practice Group Leader and/or direct client contact.
• Negotiate payment plans and/or settlements subject to management approval; ensure that payment plans are adhered to
• Escalate matters to firm management, when appropriate
• Work with collection staff, attorneys, legal secretaries and clients directly to resolve any collection issues, inquiries and requests as they arise.
• Prepare various status reports and analyses for firm management
• Review staff and attorney collection statistics to ensure collection targets are met.
• Review write-offs and client disbursements for compliance with Firm and department policies and procedures.
• Work with accounting staff, attorneys, legal secretaries and clients to review and address unapplied cash and short-paid invoices. Assist accounting staff with complicated receipt allocations.
• Review collection and write-off trends to maximize the Firm’s collection efforts. Work with staff, attorneys, secretaries and clients to increase the timeliness and amount of collections, while reducing write-downs and write-offs.
• Assist partners who are departing the Firm to ensure that all assigned Work in Process is billed, all Accounts Receivable are collected, matter reassignments are identified and matters are closed, as necessary.
• Stay current with and advise of industry best practices, new developments and trends in the collections and accounts receivable profession.
• Conduct/supervise “special projects” as required.

Ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience
• Works well under pressure
• Collection experience preferably in a law firm or a professional services environment
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience
• Proficiency in Aderant Expert, Elite or comparable legal billing software required
• Familiarity or experience using ARCS, star*collect or comparable legal collection software
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to organize and present detailed and complicated information in an easily understandable format.
• Solid time management and organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize various departmental responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills required to communicate effectively with all levels of firm management and client contacts.
• Ability to anticipate, identify, evaluate and solve varied problems, as well as improve processes and efficiencies
• Ability to supervise staff effectively
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision/life and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan and retirement, generous paid time off and opportunities for professional development.

Only candidates contacted for an interview will receive a response.  As an EOE/AA employer, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

Note To Agencies and Applicants: At this time, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP will not be accepting applications submitted through search firms for this position. All qualified candidates must submit their own applications to be considered for this position.