Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking an Attorney Recruiting & Development Manager to join a dynamic team comprised of individuals who strive to provide a high level of client service in every aspect of their responsibilities and who are inspired to work together to develop innovative, first-of-class recruiting and development practices. This is a unique opportunity to play an important role in the recruitment and professional development efforts of lawyers practicing in the Houston office.
The Attorney Recruiting & Development Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of the firm’s attorney recruiting and development functions in Houston including developing the strategy for lateral attorney and law student recruitment in the market, overseeing the annual Summer Associate Program, acting as a key professional development resource to the lawyers in the region, implementing firm and office training programs, and supervising assigned department staff. The Attorney Recruiting & Development Manager reports directly to the Senior Manager, Attorney Recruiting & Development and Office Hiring Partner and resides in the Houston office. They are expected to serve as a positive role model and mentor, and to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s lawyers, advisors and staff, efficient and effective departmental operations, and an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities of this position include:
Attorney Recruiting
Manage all aspects of the lateral attorney recruitment program for assigned practice groups including relationships with third-party recruiters and the development of a strong pipeline of talented and diverse candidates, as well as support for lateral partner recruiting.
Oversee law student recruitment efforts including the annual on-campus interviewing program, recruitment events and the Houston Summer Associate Program.
Administer and provide guidance during the office Hiring Committee meetings and hiring recommendations.
Establish, maintain and build relationships with top-tier law schools.
Stay current on firm policies and procedures to ensure a consistent implementation and keep apprised of market trends for legal recruiting.
Attorney Training & Development
Serve as a trusted resource for lawyers within the region by providing guidance regarding their professional development and career path.
In collaboration with the legal personnel and development team, team and other business services groups, coordinate and support the annual lawyer/advisor evaluation process.
Conduct lawyer exit interviews and collaborate with the firmwide team to compile and analyze the exit data quarterly for firm and office leadership.
In collaboration with the attorney training team, coordinate and support the integration and onboarding of new lawyers joining the Houston office.
Participate in the development and implementation of firmwide attorney development and office training programs for Houston office lawyers. Provide guidance regarding state bar dues, bar admissions and continuing education requirements for Houston lawyers.
Recruiting & Development
Develop and maintain relationships with members of the office Associates Committee, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Council, and Women’s Resource Group, and collaborate on ways the department may help execute and support their recruiting and development initiatives.
Identify opportunities to support and enhance the firm’s innovative recruiting and development initiatives, as well as efforts to maintain the firm’s position with the marketplace.
Develop engagement strategies for associate retention.
Departmental
Participate in scheduled Attorney Recruiting & Development Department meetings.
Develop and maintain departmental budget in consultation with the Director of Attorney Recruiting.
Supervise assigned department employees, including assisting them with professional growth.
Manage firm-wide recruiting and development projects.
Minimum of seven years’ experience in legal talent in a law firm, with at least three years in a managerial role desired
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook and Excel.
Experience in working with attorney recruiting databases required.
Strong service orientation and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers; lawyers; office, firm and practice management; and outside business partners
Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure
Ability to manage multiple projects with specific deadlines and adjust to changing priorities in a professional manner
Strong organizational and project management skills
Ability to use initiative and judgment to accomplish results
Ability to work independently and with a team
Ability to delegate and manage resources effectively
Ability to read, comprehend and follow instructions
Strong attention to detail
Ability to use critique of work to improve performance
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading global law firm recognized for its exceptional client service, innovation and engaging work environment. Our reputation as an outstanding, service-oriented firm begins with our people and their commitment to our core values of collegiality, commitment, excellence, integrity and intensity, which exemplify how we approach our work in support of our clients and each other. Working together, we solve problems and move the firm forward - efficiently, effectively and expertly.
We seek to attract, develop and retain the very best professional and administrative talent in the legal services industry by providing a dynamic work culture, competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits designed to help our employees balance their work/life responsibilities, as well as continuing professional development opportunities. We are committed to maintaining and cultivating a diverse and inclusive firm culture grounded in respect and teamwork. The long tenure of our employees speaks to the strength and appeal of our culture and values.
If you are interested in learning more about the work we do, our offices, available administrative and profess...ional staff positions, and our fringe benefits, we invite you to explore our website at www.akingump.com.
