NAELA's CareerCenter

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Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP is currently seeking a Director of Professional Development to facilitate implementation of the Firm’s development objectives and help the Firm to achieve the optimal staffing of associates and staff attorneys. The successful candidate will contribute to a diverse range of internal- and external-facing functions, with significant room to take initiative and play an impactful role in continuing to build our successful and growing firm.

 

Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP brings together a high-stakes, cutting-edge litigation practice and a pioneering public interest practice in one modern and progressive law firm. Kaplan Hecker’s highly experienced lawyers serve clients across a wide range of matters, including commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense, and complex regulatory and securities cases. The Firm balances its commercial practice with a groundbreaking commitment to the public interest. From suing the white supremacists who organized the violence in Charlottesville, to co-founding the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund to connect those who have experienced workplace sexual misconduct with legal and public relations support, Kaplan Hecker has placed public service at the center of its practice with notable results.

We have experienced tremendous success and growth since our founding in 2017, and now seek smart, driven, and talented applicants to join our growing team.

• Work with the Chief Operating Officer, Firm lawyers, and the CLE and Training Manager to develop and implement training curricula, including internal and external Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and other programs, identify training needs, generate training topics, develop deposition- and communication-skills programs, and draft (and in some cases present) program content.
• Monitor associate workload and Firm needs, advising as to issues regarding (and otherwise facilitating) the optimal staffing of associates and staff attorneys, and tailoring work assignments to both ensure fair and even distribution of work and maximize each associate’s variety of work, exposure to partners, and opportunity to hone skills.
• Engage regularly with associates and staff attorneys to assess issues; develop an in-depth understanding of professional aspirations, strengths, and development needs; and facilitate the development of individualized short- and long-term professional-development guidance.
• Work with the Partners and others to create development plans for associates.
• Oversee the administration of the attorney performance-evaluation processes.
• Coordinate with external coaches to address identified development needs for associates.
• Provide coaching for associates on work and career issues and strategies for success.
• Work with the Recruiting and DE&I Manager, Human Resources Manager, and CLE and Training Manager to develop summer-associate programming and new-hire training.
• Help to manage internal effectiveness efforts at the Firm, including through internal communications, programming, and events.
• Monitor external trends and best practices in attorney professional development, including training and compensation.
• Manage attorney mentor/mentee program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 
The successful candidate will have a combination of employment, educational, and life experience that demonstrates the qualities and skills below:

Experience: You have a J.D. and at least 4 years of relevant experience in a law firm.

Clear Communication and Attention to Detail: You express yourself clearly and concisely, always highlighting the most important information. You proactively communicate the status of your work and share updates with colleagues when necessary. You ensure that your work is mistake-free.

 

Ownership, Initiative, and Teamwork: You take ownership of your projects and follow through on their completion. You proactively anticipate, communicate, and work to independently resolve obstacles you encounter in your work. You possess a strong customer-service orientation and ability to work well within a team.

Organization and Project Management: You are comfortable balancing tasks of varying levels of urgency and complexity. You work well under pressure with tight deadlines.

 

Flexibility: You are flexible to be available after hours. You are comfortable in an environment where your responsibilities may vary from day to day. You demonstrate a "no job too big, no job too small" attitude, and take a collaborative, team-focused approach to rejuggling priorities and contributing to tasks across the Firm.

 

Confidentiality: You must be able to adhere to Firm policies regarding the protection of confidential data and demonstrate sensitivity to (and good judgment in connection with) confidential attorney, personnel, and Firm matters.

 

Mission Orientation: You are enthusiastic and passionate about our commitment to civil rights and public interest law. You thrive when your work is connected to purpose.

 

In addition, the successful candidate will be:

• Tech-savvy and a highly capable user of Microsoft Office software, with strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint knowledge a must. Knowledge of viGlobal software a plus.
• Based in the New York City area or willing to relocate.

To apply for the Professional Development Manager role, please submit a resume, cover letter, and two references to our applicant portal. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.