COOs Prioritize Client-Facing Duties as Executive Job Evolves

Chief operating officers at law firms are increasingly expected to focus on clients as the demands of the job shift.

New COOs have been appointed at several large firms since June. The executives, like in other industries, oversee departments ranging from technology to marketing.

Some of the newly hired operations leaders also are prioritizing clients—landing and keeping them—duties that have historically fallen outside COOs’ purview. Firms are now looking for operating chiefs who have experience working at the types of companies they want to serve.

“You’re taking someone who will bring to the firm a much stronger understanding of the ...