Khader Hawa
Washington,DC
Summary
Director of Pricing & Legal Project Management & with extensive experience in profitability analysis, strategic planning, and driving operational excellence. Demonstrates a visionary approach in leading pricing and commercial strategy initiatives, driving significant revenue growth and enhancing client satisfaction. Committed to leveraging innovative strategies and detailed financial analysis to optimize business processes and foster sustainable growth in the legal industry.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Pricing and Legal Project Management
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Washington, DC
02.2026 - Current
- Founded and led the firm’s Pricing and Legal Project Management function, setting strategic vision, governance models, and firmwide standards to support profitability and growth.
- Served as a trusted advisor to the Managing Partner, Executive Committee, and C‑suite, advancing enterprise‑level initiatives across pricing, financial performance, and client value.
- Member of the firm’s Innovation Committee, contributing to strategic initiatives focused on modernizing service delivery, pricing models, and operational efficiency.
- Designed and delivered firmwide profit education for partners and attorneys, elevating financial discipline and embedding profitability considerations into matter planning and execution.
- Played a key leadership role in the firm’s transition from Elite 3E to Aderant, ensuring alignment of pricing, budgeting, and matter management capabilities with long‑term strategy.
- Held firmwide authority for approval of all discounts exceeding 10% and all Alternative Fee Arrangements (AFAs), balancing client competitiveness with financial performance objectives.
- Enabled revenue growth and new client acquisition through advanced value‑based pricing strategies and innovative AFAs tailored to complex client demands.
- Launched and institutionalized a budgeting and monitoring platform to enhance forecasting accuracy, matter transparency, and proactive financial oversight across the firm.
Senior Manager of Pricing & Commercial Strategy
Venable LLP
Washington, DC
06.2022 - 01.2026
- Built and led the Pricing/Commercial Strategy department from the ground up, overseeing development, management, and training while fostering a high-performance culture and driving strategic initiatives.
- Developed and implemented a firm-wide rate strategy that led to a 37% net increase over three years, driving significant gains in revenue and profitability.
- Led rate and fee negotiations with the firm's largest clients, including direct engagement with C-suite executives at major public and private companies. These efforts secured and grew revenue, contributing to a $110M net revenue impact over three years.
- Formulated and executed comprehensive strategies and methodologies to optimize the Firm's pricing, profitability, and legal project management practices, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Led the development and implementation of a new profitability model, driving alignment with strategic objectives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Tracked/analyzed performance metrics related to matter economics, including realization, work effort, and profitability, collaborating with billing partners to devise targeted strategies for enhancing client and matter profitability.
- Presented detailed financial analyses to Firm Leadership/Practice Group Leaders, providing valuable insights and recommendations to support informed decision-making and drive business growth.
- Developed workload forecasts and made staffing recommendations to practice group leaders for improved resource allocation and efficiency.
- Member of Strategic Planning & Execution Team: Contributed to firm-wide initiatives including lateral integration and growth, office expansion, AI roll-out, profitability education, and other key strategic projects to drive organizational success.
PRICING ANALYST
Finnegan LLP
Washington, DC
02.2020 - 06.2022
- Led pricing strategy formulation and took necessary pricing actions to enhance profitability, ensuring integrity and accuracy in all pricing engagements.
- Developed and presented strategic insights on practices and firm operations to Department Chairs, Partners, and senior management, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Managed annual standard rates and client rate-setting processes, ensuring consistency and accuracy across pricing structures.
- Developed strategies, pricing models, and reports for Clients/Partners.
- Enhanced revenue streams by strategically renegotiating agreements with existing and new clients, optimizing terms and conditions.
- Analyzed all Requests for Proposals to ensure all requirements/budget numbers were accurate.
- Managed client engagements and responded to client inquiries.
BUSINESS/DATA ANALYST
DLA Piper LLP
Reston, VA
08.2019 - 01.2020
- Conduct comprehensive book of business reviews for our partners, meticulously analyzing key performance indicators and client engagement opportunities.
- Provide strategic recommendations tailored to each partner's practice, aimed at optimizing profitability, enhancing client satisfaction and growth opportunities.
- Managed ongoing reviews of business processes and developed optimization strategies geared toward Partners and Clients.
- Provided pricing and profitability strategies internally and externally.
- Conduct financial analyses, meticulously scrutinizing key metrics and trends pertinent to our firm's operations.
PROJECT MANAGER
Capitol Petroleum Group
Springfield, VA
05.2016 - 07.2019
- Implemented pricing strategies to improve profits and reduce costs.
- Tracked project performance, to analyze the successful completion of short- and long-term goals.
- Assisted in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders, and ensuring technical feasibility.
- Created pricing and forecasting models to ensure profitability and costs were at their required levels.
- Managed projects of $5,000,000+, lead and oversaw internal and external teams to ensure successful project outcomes.
- Managed and supervised business analysts and interns.
Education
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) -
American University
BACHELOR'S DEGREE - ECONOMICS
George Mason University
PROJECT MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE -
George Mason University
Skills
- Pricing Strategy
- Financial and Data Analysis
- Profitability Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Strategic and Operational Leadership
- Change Management
- Resource management
- Problem solving
- Innovation
- Team leadership
Accreditations
- Project Management Certificate, George Mason University
- Accredited Legal Pricing Professional (ALPP), Legal Pricing Professional
- Accredited Legal Project Manager (ALPM), Legal Project Management
Timeline
Director of Pricing and Legal Project Management
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
02.2026 - Current
Senior Manager of Pricing & Commercial Strategy
Venable LLP
06.2022 - 01.2026
PRICING ANALYST
Finnegan LLP
02.2020 - 06.2022
BUSINESS/DATA ANALYST
DLA Piper LLP
08.2019 - 01.2020
PROJECT MANAGER
Capitol Petroleum Group
05.2016 - 07.2019
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) -
American University
BACHELOR'S DEGREE - ECONOMICS
George Mason University
PROJECT MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE -
George Mason University