Chief Operating Officer - Law Firm

Position Overview

Williams Parker seeks an experienced, forward-looking Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help lead the firm to higher levels of success. This executive role partners closely with the firm’s three-member Management Committee and Section Chairs to align strategic initiatives with operational excellence, enhance infrastructure, and support attorneys, paralegals, and other professional staff in delivering exceptional client service and expanding the firm’s contributions to the community. The COO leads a team of direct reports—functional experts who oversee the firm’s centers of excellence in accounting and finance, human resources and benefits, information technology, marketing and business development, legal research, and operational excellence—ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly and collaboratively. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic planning and operations expert with proven experience in professional services leadership and team motivation within a highly client-centric environment.

Firm Culture & Values

Williams Parker is the region’s largest and oldest law firm, founded in Sarasota in 1925. The firm comprises 45 attorneys and offers one of Florida’s largest trusts and estates groups, along with accomplished practices in real estate, construction, land use, litigation, corporate, tax, employment, healthcare, and intellectual property law. We operate from a 35,000-square-foot headquarters in downtown Sarasota and a 2,700-square-foot satellite office in Lakewood Ranch, both opened in 2023.

Our loyal clients—affluent families, businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and government entities—are our primary source of new business, a testament to our reputation for exceptional client service. Known for our attentiveness, discretion, and sound judgment, we foster enduring relationships that span states and countries. This commitment to excellence extends to our internal clients as well—our attorneys and professional staff—who rely on one another for collaborative, responsive support. Through Ally Law, a global alliance of 77 firms and 2,800+ lawyers across 58 countries, we offer practical solutions, market access, and trusted foreign counsel connections.

Our attorneys and staff include native Floridians and “transplants” who live and work here because the region’s quality of life is second to none. We are hard-working, fair-minded, and community-centered, known for our collaboration and support. We recruit carefully, resulting in low turnover. An unusually large percentage of our attorneys have advanced degrees in law (LL.M.), accounting (master’s or CPA), or business (MBA). Our technical legal skills match our clients’ demands for solutions to complex legal challenges here and abroad.

Sarasota is known for civic engagement and strong community foundations, especially in arts, culture, and human services. Our attorneys and staff play central roles in shaping iconic institutions and initiatives that define the area’s character. Our volunteerism contributes to long-term prosperity.

Requirements

Leadership & Management Scope

• Strategic Planning – Partner with firm leadership to create and implement section and firm-wide initiatives that support long-term growth consistent with the firm's mission statement. When necessary, identify and engage external experts to deliver high-impact advice or to deliver high-impact programs.
• Fiscal Responsibility – Oversee the accounting function, co-led by the Accounting Manager and Billing Manager, to provide oversight to financial operations and ensure fiscal health. Monitor, analyze, and provide insight regarding key performance metrics of the firm against historical firm metrics and against peer firms through survey data that the firm receives.
• Human Resources – Collaborate with the Director of HR to ensure optimum effectiveness at all stages of the talent lifecycle to help foster the firm’s collegial, collaborative, and inclusive culture.
• Benefits Planning & Renewal – Partner with the Benefits Manager, employee benefits brokerage, and Management Committee to support the development and refinement of employee benefit programs that promote wellness, engagement, and financial literacy; assist with health and disability trend analysis and annual benefits renewal activities.
• Information Technology – Work with the Director of IT to support innovation and maintain secure, scalable systems.
• Marketing & Business Development – Steward the firm’s branding, client development, and market expansion efforts by directing the efforts of the Marketing Coordinator and design consultant.
• Legal Research – Coordinate with the firm’s Librarian to manage online research contracts and content acquisition.
• Operational Excellence – Oversee the maintenance of our offices, guide the firm’s digitization efforts, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
• Compliance & Risk – Lead the annual malpractice insurance renewal and proactively manage legal, regulatory, and ethical risks in partnership with the General Counsel.
• Advise & Consult – Advise the Management Committee, Section Chairs, and other key personnel on operational issues, industry and competitive conditions, and growth opportunities. Participate in professional and industry groups to stay abreast of trends and changes in the industry, including developments that could affect the firm’s business objectives or competitive marketing position.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The COO supervises accounting and finance, human resources, information technology, marketing and business development, legal research, and operations.

Education & Experience

Core Competencies

Benefits

At Williams Parker, you will have an opportunity to play an important role in continuing the success of our law firm and to take advantage of the many benefits we offer for your personal and professional growth. You will also find you are joining a team of attorneys and professional staff who have made Williams Parker not only a top-notch law firm but also a great place to work. We offer a competitive total rewards package, including :