Law Firm Chief Operating Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Baldwin County, Alabama

Position: Full-time Executive Leadership Role

Reports to: Firm Owner

The Law Offices of Brenton C. McWilliams is a fast-growing estate planning and probate law firm serving clients across Baldwin County. We’re seeking a forward-thinking Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help lead our next stage of growth.

This is a high-impact executive role for a strategic, hands-on leader who thrives on growth, innovation, and building structure that lasts. You’ll collaborate closely with the firm’s owner and leadership team to design and implement systems that support our expanding client base, growing team, and long-term mission of delivering first-class legal service with integrity and excellence.

If you’re energized by fast-paced environments, love turning ideas into reality, and have a track record of driving measurable business results through people, process, and technology, you’ll thrive here.

Please submit a cover letter with your application describing your skills, experiences, accomplishments, and why you'd be a good fit for this role.

$150,000+ depending on experience

What You’ll Do

• Drive Strategy and Growth: Work with firm leadership to translate vision into actionable business plans, budgets, and measurable growth goals.
• Lead and Inspire: Supervise and coach department heads and non-attorney staff, fostering accountability, productivity, and a strong sense of ownership.
• Build and Improve Systems: Create, document, and refine the firm’s key business systems across marketing, intake, operations, finance, HR, and client service.
• Recruit and Retain Talent: Identify, hire, and develop A-players, building a team that’s engaged, capable, and aligned with the firm’s values.
• Leverage Technology: Evaluate and implement tools, software, and automation that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and client experience.
• Ensure Accountability: Use data and key performance metrics to track results, measure progress, and continuously improve firm operations.
• Champion Culture: Lead with honesty, empathy, and excellence, helping maintain a workplace that values high standards, collaboration, and balance.

Who You Are

• A builder who doesn’t just manage systems, you design them.
• A strategic operator who moves fast and turns goals into organized execution.
• A technologically fluent leader who knows how to use modern tools to drive efficiency.
• A people-focused manager who can identify talent and help others reach their potential.
• A data-driven thinker who uses numbers to understand, guide, and improve performance.
• A calm, composed decision maker with the maturity to handle complexity and the humility to keep learning.
• A hands-on doer who rolls up their sleeves to get results while delegating wisely and empowering your team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of leadership experience in operations, finance, or management within a growth-oriented professional services firm.
• Proven ability to design, document, and improve operational systems and business processes.
• Demonstrated success in managing financial performance and budgets.
• Strong comfort with technology and data tools (CRMs, dashboards, project management, and case management systems).
• Exceptional communication, team-building, and coaching skills.
• Experience managing recruiting and performance systems.
• Experience in a law firm environment is preferred but not required.

The Law Offices of Brenton C. McWilliams is an estate planning, elder law, and probate estate administration law firm serving clients throughout Alabama from our Baldwin County offices in Orange Beach, Foley, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort. We bring clarity, care, and confidence to families when it matters most.

We help provide direction, organization, and peace of mind for families during times of stress and grief. Through a genuinely caring client experience and competent legal work, we empower clients to reduce the burden on the people they love and to be remembered well by those who matter most, understanding their estate plan may be the final loving act their family remembers them for.