Davis Wright Tremaine

Seattle, Washington, United States

Director, Information Governance

Posted over 1 month ago

Job Description

Description

This position is responsible for the firm-wide development, implementation and compliance of policies and protocols relating to information created or received through any channel (legal or firm administration) of the firm. Establishes future direction and plans concerning information governance for the firm to meet compliance requirements and improvements based on best practices. The Director will work with the firms General Counsels office to manage and deploy the policies, procedures, training, and systems necessary to support and continuously improve a comprehensive Information Governance program for the firm.

With oversight from the firms General Counsels office, the Director will have firm-wide responsibility and day-to-day oversight for the governance of electronic and physical records, New Business Intake, and compliance measures. The Director will supervise, train and provide leadership for the administrative staff responsible for records and information management across the Firm.

At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.

On a typical day, the Director:

  • Develops and implements a strategic plan that supports the firms information governance and data quality information architecture, recommends to senior executives, implements and evangelizes as appropriate
  • Develops and updates information governance policies including a written Firm-wide records management and information governance policy
  • Develops, disseminates, and assures compliance with policies related to firm-wide risk management, including retention and disposition of firm and client records, litigation holds, and file transfers
  • Works with firm/department management and attorneys from various practice groups to develop, implement and oversee the retention schedule. Provides guidance for systematic control of the content under said schedule
  • Stays current with legal industry trends, standards, and local and federal regulatory obligations as they affect information governance for the practice of law and the administrative functions of the firm
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to achieve information governance awareness and compliance. Participate in firm-wide projects that involve information governance
  • Collaborate closely with IT and Security to maintain and develop procedures to insure compliance with the firms Information Governance standards and policies. Act as a resource for evaluating risk involved in technical projects involving client and firm data
  • Participates in the information governance boards such as the Quality Assurance and Technology Committees as appropriate
  • Interfaces with the firms general counsel and senior risk managers to identify and contain internal and external risks with regard to information governance
  • Interfaces with other firm departments to identify and contain internal and external risks with regard to information governance
  • Interfaces with recruiting to ensure smooth onboarding of new attorneys, including transfer of incoming client files associated with lateral attorney hires
  • Designs, promotes, and assures compliance with protocols for content management and user workflow with regard to information created or received by the firm such as: client/matter engagement, client/matter work product, matter disengagement, matter mobility, firm administration, discovery, intellectual property, preservation, retention, disposition and disposal
  • Initiates standardized information governance practices, writes documentation, and manages implementation through information governance resources across the firm
  • Proposes and participates in analysis with regard to new technology and continuous improvements of existing technology
  • Promotes an increased use and reliance on electronic versions of records over the physical in efforts to reduce the overall paper inventory retained by the firm. Educates firm leadership, attorneys, and staff in records identification, scanning, printing, recycling, and shredding options to insure efficient and appropriate handling of records. Advocates for transitioning from physical to electronic records
  • Provides training for senior executives, lawyers, and staff with regard to compliance with information governance policies and procedures
  • Performs administrative and management duties (recruiting, hiring, training, coaching, performance planning and evaluations, corrective actions, etc.) associated with leading teams of professionals engaged in managing firm and client information, new business intake, and information governance-related risk-management procedures
  • Provides and models service excellence to internal and external clients of the information governance department across the firm
  • Acts as principal contact for information governance program related vendors. Coordinates with vendors providing records and information management services to insure service level agreements are being fulfilled. Maintains vendor relationships
  • Determines outsourcing/consultant/temporary work requirements and works with vendor(s) in meeting the firms needs in the most cost-effective manner with regard to records management initiatives
  • Participates in the budget process and other special projects and/or support as required
  • Prepares regular status reports (verbal or written) on team activities, projects, and other initiatives. Prepares written documentation, proposals, and/or recommendations. Makes presentations as needed
  • Travels, as necessary
Join us if you have:
  • BA or BS degree required. Masters degree preferred
  • Certified Records Manager (CRM), Information Governance Professional (IGP) or similar certificate preferred
  • Strong, proven leadership skills acquired from at least eight years experience as a Records and/or Information Manager/Supervisor. Direct supervisory experience of teams from 10-15 people in size required. Strong team building skills
  • Strong, proven skills in mentoring and developing supervisor- and manager-level staff
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of electronic records management
  • Experience developing and implementing information governance policies and procedures
  • Experience with records management systems and document management systems, and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office preferred
  • Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written, with all levels of a professional services organization are required. Ability to consult/provide guidance to attorneys and staff in information management best practices to insure compliance
  • Knowledge of imaging/scanning technologies and various search engines preferred
  • Ability to organize workload effectively and operate within tight timeframes
  • Ability to work collaboratively, building consensus across multiple practices, departments, and offices
  • Strong customer service skills while working under pressure
  • Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills required. Ability to handle stressful situations in a calm, composed manner
  • Strong systems analysis and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and quality control
  • Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure environment and make sound decisions in emergency situations
  • Must be a team player and willing to share information with others. Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies quickly and independently
  • Strong decision-making, follow-up, follow-through, priority setting, and negotiating skills are required. Demonstrated ability to practice good judgment
  • Ability to work independently, with minimum supervision
  • Previous experience in a law firm or professional services organization, supporting a multi-office environment, preferred

Who We Are

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with eight offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each clients and each lawyers work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them.

Whats in it For You?

DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:

  • Choice of health and vision insurance plans
  • 2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work
  • Dental plan
  • Fertility and adoption benefit
  • Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits
  • Retirement contribution

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to feel and reach with hands and arms and frequently required to sit, stand, walk and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP believes that embracing diversity and inclusion brings out the best of what each individual has to offer and inspires us to build strong and lasting connections with each other, our clients, and our communities. We are committed to promoting a diverse workforce and inclusive environment where every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy to hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all employment-related decisions without regard to an employees sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), race, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religious creed, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military condition, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal laws.

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