Attorney Development Manager: Life Sciences (Corporate)

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do.

Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.

This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers.

The Attorney Development Manager collaborates closely with Goodwin’s US-based Life Sciences corporate associates and professional track attorneys to oversee cross-office work allocation, performance and utilization, and attorney retention strategies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in professional development within a law firm or similar environment and a passion for fostering attorney growth and development. The position also partners with Human Resources, and the Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (DEI) and Learning + Professional Development teams to ensure a positive and inclusive employee experience across training, development, coaching, integration and onboarding, retention, performance management and career transitioning.

What You Will Do:

• Work Allocation: Oversees the cross-office attorney matter assignment system for corporate Life Sciences attorneys in the US. Analyzes and reports on cross-office capacity/workloads and forecasts future capacity needs. Works closely with assigned attorneys to monitor workloads, focusing on associate retention and professional development; and ensures equitable distribution of assignments aligned with the clients’ needs and individual professional development goals.

• Performance Management: Utilizes tools, processes, and strategies to effectively support the attorney performance management processes.  Monitors evaluations, collaborates with the Attorney Review Committee to prepare review materials, facilitates the delivery of formal reviews, advises partners on specific and/or sensitive performance related situations and coaches attorneys on how to implement feedback received.

• Advisor Program: Working with the designated BU partners and the BU Practice Managers, assists with the execution of the advisor program; assigns advisors to new and lateral hires in the group; and solicits feedback from both advisors and advisees to ensure that the program is meeting its goal of enhancing attorneys’ professional development.  Utilizes the advisor system to communicate professional development information to individuals as appropriate.  Works to continuously enhance and improve the advisor program.

• DEI: Supports the firm's DEI strategy and the BU’s DEI goals via coaching and development, outreach with attorneys, and championing DEI sponsored initiatives and events.  Encourages inclusion among members of the practice group and serves as a resource for attorneys with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

• Integration/Onboarding/Transition: Partners with key internal departments to facilitate successful onboarding and integration, including leading orientation sessions for new hires. Guides departing individuals on transitioning and conducts exit interviews.

• Training/Development: Collaborates with the Learning + Professional Development team and practice group leadership to identify training needs/suggest program ideas for training curriculums related to legal and professional skills that support attorney development of core competencies.

• Employee Relations: Proactively consults with the Human Resources team on employee relations matters for thoughtful and efficient resolution.

• Recruitment: Partners with the Recruiting team to ensure strategic workforce planning and hiring efforts are taking place in support of the practice group’s and department’s goals and capacity needs.

• Special Projects: Collaborates with other team members and functional areas to develop and improve department-specific, firm-wide and Attorney Development Team processes, policies, and initiatives.

Who You Are:

• Juris Doctor required. Corporate transactional experience preferred.

• 5+ years of related experience, preferably in an AMLAW25 law firm environment.

• Equivalent legal staffing/workforce planning/attorney development experience in another legal or professional services environment preferred.

• Knowledge of the life sciences industry and corporate legal practice preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Consistently shows sound judgment and respects, protects, and maintains highly confidential and sensitive information.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects.

• Ability to demonstrate effective creative problem solving and people and project management skills.

• Working knowledge of Word, Outlook and Excel with the ability to learn additional programs.

#LI-MS1

Benefits and More

At Goodwin, you will discover your next career opportunity with a rewarding compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work schedule

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Life and disability insurance

• Retirement & Savings Plan

• Emergency back-up child and adult care

• Paid vacation, sick time off, and holidays

• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

• Employee recognition and reward programs

• Employee wellness and assistance programs

• Employee discounts and perks

​Consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status,  disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Please note: Various agencies of the United States government require employers to collect information on applicants and employees. The National Association of Law Placement (NALP) and certain clients request us to keep track of certain aggregate information regarding lawyers. EEO information requested on this application is for purposes of compliance with these recordkeeping and reporting requirements and to determine recruiting and employment patterns. Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment.