Legal Talent Manager

The Legal Talent Manager is responsible for the full spectrum of attorney recruitment, development, and retention efforts. This position oversees all aspects of attorney hiring, professional development, and summer associate programs while ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices. The Legal Talent Manager collaborates with firm leadership, the Recruiting Committee, and practice groups to implement strategic initiatives that enhance the attorney experience.

This position reports directly to the Chief Legal Talent & Recruiting Officer and requires a highly organized and proactive professional with strong relationship-building skills and a passion for talent management.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recruiting & Hiring

 

• Lead recruitment efforts for law students, judicial clerks, and lateral attorneys, ensuring a seamless candidate experience.
• Develop and manage bespoke, personalized law student recruiting strategies.
• Lead proactive lateral recruiting initiatives, including candidate and recruiter outreach, offer negotiations, and follow-up engagement.
• Develop and maintain relationships with law schools, search firms, and other key recruiting partners.
• Oversee the firm’s summer associate program, ensuring an engaging and well-structured experience.
• Analyze hiring trends and recruiting data to drive strategic decision-making.

 

Attorney Development & Retention

• Oversee professional development programs, including monthly training programs, CLE compliance, annual performance reviews, and mentorship initiatives.
• Support attorney integration, including onboarding, career transitions, and practice group assignments.
• Manage work allocation efforts in collaboration with practice group leaders to support equitable workload distribution.
• Develop strategies to enhance associate engagement, retention, and career growth.
• Maintain talent-related data and reports, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.

 

 

Program Management & Strategy

 

• Partner with firm leadership and hiring committees to align recruiting and development initiatives with business objectives.
• Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within attorney hiring and retention programs.
• Manage attorney-related talent operations, including employment changes, firmwide recruiting initiatives, and intranet content updates.
• Ensure compliance with industry best practices and legal hiring regulations.
• Collaborate with HR and other firm departments to support integration, compensation, and benefits processes.

 

COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving – Aligns talent strategies with firm goals and proactively identifies solutions.
• Relationship Management & Communication – Builds strong relationships and communicates effectively with attorneys, candidates, and other external recruiting partners.
• Project & Program Management – Manages multiple recruiting and development initiatives with strong organizational skills.
• Talent Acquisition & Development Expertise – Understands best practices in attorney recruiting, retention, and professional development.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making – Uses metrics and analytics to inform hiring, retention, and development strategies.
• Confidentiality & Professionalism – Handles sensitive information with discretion and fosters a respectful workplace.
• Adaptability & Innovation – Adjusts to shifting priorities and introduces new ideas to enhance recruiting and development processes.
• Collaboration & Team Leadership – Maintains positive demeanor to work effectively across teams and provides leadership in recruiting and talent initiatives.
• Execution & Precision - Ensures accuracy and clarity through strong attention to detail, communication, judgment, and time management while effectively prioritizing multiple initiatives.

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in recruiting, talent management, or professional development, preferably in a law firm or legal environment.
• Proficiency in applicant tracking systems, talent databases, and recruiting technology.