San Simeon, California
San Simeon, California
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Ames, Iowa
Brookline, Massachusetts
Posted: 04-May-23
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Type: Full Time
Required Education:
Additional Information:
Widely recognized as Canada’s leading litigation practice, we have successfully represented clients’ interests in some of the most complex, high-profile cases in Canadian legal history. Focusing exclusively on litigation and advocacy, we practice across dozens of legal areas and industries and represent our clients where it counts – on our feet in all levels of the courts and before every kind of tribunal. Our subject-matter expertise and extensive courtroom experience is consistently recognized by clients, peers, and senior members of the legal profession in leading legal publications, including Chambers Canada and Lexpert. We offer the opportunity to work alongside and learn from some of Canada's most highly regarded litigators. Our partners are ranked among the best of their peers nationally and lead a mentoring and development program that attracts gifted lawyers who are committed to upholding the highest professional standards.
Lenczner Slaght is currently seeking a Director, Legal Talent.
Role Description:
In this role, the Director, Legal Talent will report to the Chief Operating Officer, work collaboratively with the Associate Committee, and will oversee a team of legal talent professionals including the Senior Manager, Student Programs and Professional Development and Legal Talent Specialist. The Director, Legal Talent will have direct responsibility for managing and implementing the associate, counsel and income partner programs and will have oversight over the student program at Lenczner Slaght.
Lenczner Slaght offers the opportunity to work alongside and learn from some of Canada's most highly regarded litigators. This role will provide the candidate with the opportunity to work directly with the Management Committee, Student Committee, Partners, Associates, and to collaborate with Directors across the Firm to implement the Firm’s Strategic Plan.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Lead the professional development program for associates, counsel and income partners including the development, implementation and management of competency, mentorship, engagement, performance, professional development, and work allocation programs.
- Lead the recruitment, onboarding and offboarding process for associates, counsel, and income partners, working collaboratively with the Associate Committee and Management Committee.
- Develop and maintain relationships with students, associates, counsel, and income partners to foster a supportive and collaborative work environment that aligns to Firm values.
- Recognizing that Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (“EDI”) is critical to the success of legal talent, the Director, Legal Talent will ensure that programs and practices for which they are responsible are developed and implemented in an inclusive manner.
- Implement, support, and develop EDI initiatives related to legal talent consistent with the Firm’s EDI Plan, working collaboratively with the EDI committee.
- Advise the Firm on best-in-class initiatives and strategies to enhance and improve the legal talent program to deliver on the Firm’s Strategic Plan and align to Firm values and implement such initiatives and strategies.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the business team, led by the Chief Operating Officer, to implement cross-functional programs efficiently and effectively.
- Develop and maintain awareness of the legal marketplace and use that insight to develop and adjust plans accordingly.
- Develop annual plans and budgets for the Legal Talent function. Monitor, evaluate and report on the progress of plans.
- Oversee the Student Program led by the Senior Manager, Student Programs and Professional Development to recruit, retain, and develop law students and foster relationships with all Canadian law schools.
- Oversee the Senior Manager, Student Programs and Professional Development to implement best-in class education and development curriculum for students and lawyers under the LS Ignite education program.
- Provide guidance and supervision with respect to other functions of the team, including CPD accreditation and interactions with professional regulators and insurers.
- Participate in the Firm’s pro bono committee
- Supervise the Firm’s sponsorship and participation in various external events.
The ideal candidate will have the following:
- Law degree with a minimum of 8 years of combined practice and professional development experience, with litigation experience an asset.
- Strong people management and communication skills which demonstrate the ability to coach, advise, train, and develop lawyers, manage the legal talent team and collaborate with Associates Committee, the Management Committee and other Directors.
- Experience with recruitment, mentoring and general law firm management.
- Demonstrated experience, knowledge of and commitment to implementing and advancing EDI best practices.
- Relationship building and leadership skills with an ability to motivate others and work collaboratively.
- Developed knowledge, understanding and interest in the legal talent market.
- Strong project management and time management skills with an ability to prioritize, plan and implement numerous projects, programs, and special events.
- Experience and ability to prepare and manage a multi-year plan, set of priorities and budget.
- Proficiency with MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
- A sense of ownership and accountability for projects and tasks.
Other Information:
- Work arrangement: Hybrid in accordance with the Firm’s current policy, which may be amended at any time.
What Differentiates Us?
We are a firm with deep values, centered around our commitment to excellence and winning. We are also dedicated to promoting and advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in our workplace and in the legal profession. We maintain an inclusive work environment comprised of people with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and cultures who are all valued, respected, and have an equal opportunity to develop, advance, and be heard. We have developed several award-winning and forward-thinking initiatives, including resume anonymization in student recruitment to decrease barriers for diverse candidates and ReferToHer™, a program aimed to balance the scales on referrals for female lawyers. We have also made continuous process improvement and innovation a key strategic priority. Learn more about our programs by visiting www.litigate.com.
Applications should be addressed to Isabelle Naraine, Director, Human Resources. Applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé and transcripts online HERE. Applications are being considered as they are received. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
Lenczner Slaght invites applications from all qualified candidates. We encourage applications from racialized persons/ persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ persons, and individuals from other equity deserving groups. We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment and hiring process. Please direct all requests and questions to Human Resources.
