Business Development Manager

About Us

Finnegan is more than just a law firm – we are a powerhouse of innovation and strategy growth.  We pride ourselves on providing top-tier intellectual property services globally.  Our success is rooted in our emphasis on relationships with our clients and each other.  We care about every individual, and it is why many professionals have spent their entire careers at Finnegan.

Role Overview

The Business Development Manager serves as a key partner in advancing Finnegan’s business development and marketing efforts across priority West Coast markets. This role involves working closely with attorneys and BD colleagues to identify and pursue growth opportunities, execute targeted BD initiatives, and strengthen the firm’s presence in key markets.

Aligned with the Business and Client Development (BCD) Team’s Market Growth function and leveraging Finnegan’s integrated IP capabilities, the BD Manager helps translate firm and regional priorities into actionable BD strategies, with a focus on client targeting, opportunity development, and coordinated go-to-market execution ensuring alignment across BD activities.

Given regional support and time zone coverage, the BD Manager will also support coordination with Asia offices, helping ensure continuity of business development efforts, sharing market insights, and enabling follow-through on cross-regional opportunities. The role also includes advising office leadership and collaborating closely with firm leadership, particularly the CDMR and business and client development (BCD) team leaders. This is a collaborative position that also involves mentoring BD team members in other offices and contributing to the firm’s overall strategic goals.

Responsibilities

Regional Support

BD Planning & Strategic Targeting

• Execute BD plans aligned with West Coast priorities and firmwide growth areas
• Partner with attorneys to identify target clients, industries, and expansion opportunities
• Develop and maintain target client lists aligned with firm and regional priorities, including prospective clients and existing clients identified for strategic expansion
• Help direct BD efforts toward priority markets, clients, and growth opportunities identified through firm and regional strategy

Market Intelligence & Opportunity Identification

• Monitor competitor activity, client developments, and market trends along the West Coast, including research and analysis for client targeting and industry positioning, leveraging advanced research tools (e.g., LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Lex Machina, Docket Navigator)
• Identify market-driven opportunities across practices and regional ecosystems, including cross-selling pathways
• Produce regular reports on BD outcomes, pipeline activity, and strategic insights for office leadership

Attorney Partnership & Enablement

• Serve as a proactive partner to attorneys and IP professionals, identifying and advancing business development opportunities aligned with firm and regional priorities
• Help guide attorney focus toward priority markets, target clients, and strategic growth areas
• Provide tailored support for strategic BD and marketing initiatives, aligned with market opportunities and firm direction
• Gather and act on attorney feedback to continuously improve BD support and resources for the office

Thought Leadership & Communications

• Identify and promote attorney thought leadership opportunities, including speaking engagements, publications, and industry awards, to enhance individual and office visibility
• Collaborate with PR teams to raise the profile of attorneys and the firm’s practices
• Engage with local organizations to expand visibility and build high-value connections

Event Strategy & Execution

• Coordinate with the Events team on planning and execution of West Coast client-facing programs, networking events, sponsorship activations, and office initiatives
• Ensure events support target markets and opportunity development efforts
• Evaluate event ROI, follow-up opportunities, and feedback for continuous improvement

Asia Coordination & Cross-Regional Alignment

• Partner with Asia-based BD and attorney teams to support continuity of BD efforts across time zones
• Coordinate follow-up on opportunities, client outreach, and ongoing initiatives bridging Asia and West Coast markets
• Share market intelligence and client insights to inform cross-regional targeting and strategy
• Support cross-border opportunities and attorney collaboration where regional overlap drives business development outcomes

Firmwide Support

Strategic Growth Initiatives

• Partner with attorneys, firm leadership, and cross-functional teams to support and co-lead strategic growth initiatives, including lateral integration efforts, business development planning, and other initiatives aligned with firm and regional growth priorities
• Collaborate with Pitches & Pursuits on proposals, RFP responses, presentations, and other opportunity-related initiatives as needed
• Contribute market and client insights to inform opportunity development, messaging, and strategic decision-making

Team Collaboration & Administration

• Collaborate across Market Growth, Client Experience, and Pitches & Pursuits teams to ensure alignment on targeting, opportunity development, and BD execution
• Coordinate with leadership and BD colleagues across offices on firmwide initiatives and cross-regional priorities
• Provide primary departmental response coverage during gap between regular business hours with colleagues across other time zones, typically 2:30-5:30 pm PT, ascertaining requestor’s timing needs to either route appropriately for next day service or handle immediately
• Participate in department meetings and contribute to cross-functional initiatives
• Mentor and support BD specialists and coordinators, fostering professional development and collaboration
• Oversee inventory of marketing materials and promotional items for the Palo Alto office
• Manage budgets for marketing and BD activities across the Palo Alto office

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in legal marketing or business development, ideally in IP or corporate law services.
• Proven success in strategic planning, event management, project leadership, and cross-functional collaboration at both local and firmwide levels.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to synthesize data and succinctly convey facts and strategic implications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience with proposal writing, marketing collateral development, and team mentoring.
• Proficiency in CRM systems, Microsoft Office Suite (including Copilot), virtual event platforms, video-conferencing technologies, and exposure or experience with SharePoint a plus.
• Knowledge of and/or demonstrated aptitude for analytical research, with experience in a wide range of research tools, including advanced Internet searching, Sales Navigator, Lex Machina, Docket Navigator, or other related legal databases.
• Analytical mindset with ability to synthesize data and deliver actionable insights.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Collaborative team leader with a proactive, client-focused approach.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime when necessary.

 If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for promoting success, we would love to hear from you. 

The role is based in our Palo Alto, CA office and requires a hybrid/onsite work schedule. The base annual pay range for this role is between $150,000 to $185,000. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience, location and will also take into account internal equity. A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

Finnegan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The firm is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment, as defined by applicable state and federal laws, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws. For candidates needing reasonable accommodations or assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources at 202.216.5400.

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