Legal Rankings & Awards Submission Consultant (Part-Time)

Overview

This role supports a New York-based partner who co-chairs an Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practice. The consultant will plan and manage a complete legal directory and award submissions program for the 2026–2027 cycle, with the goal of building a stronger and more consistent presence in leading legal rankings.

Responsibilities

Award Submission Management

• Prepare, edit, and file submissions for each targeted directory by each deadline, using the official submission portals and templates (including the Chambers and Legal 500 portals).
• Write persuasive submission narratives that present the partner’s practice, key matters, and market standing in each directory’s preferred style.
• Manage follow-up with directory researchers, including interview scheduling and requests for additional information.

Deal and Matter Data Gathering

• Collect, organize, and track deal and matter information (e.g., financings, M&A, fund formations, emerging company representations) for use in submissions.
• Maintain a current matter database that can be reused across directories and cycles.
• Mark matters as confidential or publishable, as required by each directory.

Client and Referee Coordination

• Identify and confirm client referees with the partner.
• Prepare referee lists and contact details in each directory’s required format.
• Coordinate outreach to referees, including advance notice and reminder communications drafted for the partner’s approval.

Awards Calendar and Deadline Tracking

• Build and maintain a master calendar covering all submission, referee, and interview deadlines.
• Send timely reminders to the partner and plan work to cover peak periods without last-minute pressure.

Opportunity Research and Sourcing

• Research and recommend additional awards, rankings, and recognition opportunities relevant to emerging companies, venture capital, and corporate practice.
• Find and pursue speaking, panel, and conference opportunities that support the partner’s profile and the submission strategy.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as the partner’s main point of contact for all directory and award matters.
• Be prepared to support additional practice members (such as the practice co-chair) if the engagement expands.

Target Rankings and Awards

• Chambers USA
• Legal 500 US
• Best Lawyers
• IFLR1000
• Super Lawyers

Requirements

• Proven, hands-on experience preparing and filing Chambers and/or Legal 500 submissions.
• Law firm marketing or business development background.
• Clear, polished English writing suitable for legal directory submissions.
• Strong judgment and comfort handling confidentiality for sensitive client, deal, and referee information.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and deliver on time with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the legal industry and the venture capital/startup and emerging companies ecosystem.
• Experience with Best Lawyers, IFLR1000, and Super Lawyers submissions.
• Experience sourcing speaking and conference opportunities for attorneys.

Compensation & Benefits

Not specified.

Location

New York-based partner; role involves working with the partner and directory researchers. Some availability during US Eastern business hours is helpful for calls.

Time Commitment and Schedule

• Average of 5–10 hours per week, increasing during peak submission windows.
• Hours are fully flexible as long as deadlines are met and communication remains responsive.

Reporting Relationship and Engagement Details

• The consultant reports directly to the partner.
• Work is independent, using the consultant’s own tools and accounts.
• The consultant will not be part of any law firm’s internal systems or staff.
• The scope may later grow to support more practice members.

Confidentiality

• The consultant will handle confidential client, deal, and referee information.
• A confidentiality agreement is required, along with adherence to agreed data-handling practices.
• Confidential information may be used only for the submissions it is provided for.