Job Description
Primary Location: Palo Alto or San Francisco (cross-office presence as needed)
Work Arrangement: Hybrid schedule (4 in-office / 1 remote)
Industry Background: Prior law firm experience required
The Attorney Development & Recruiting Manager oversees attorney development, personnel, and recruiting functions for the Palo Alto and San Francisco offices. This role partners closely with firm leadership, lawyers, and recruiting stakeholders to support attorney performance, career progression, and hiring across multiple stages of the attorney lifecycle. The position manages local Attorney Development operations and works collaboratively with firmwide Development and Recruiting leadership to advance talent objectives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Attorney Development & Personnel
- Partner with office and firm leadership to deliver attorney evaluation, advancement, compensation, and retention processes, including oversight of structured career progression programs.
- Lead semi-annual review cycles for Associates, Senior Associates, and Counsel, including coordinating feedback, advising partners, supporting review discussions, and identifying development follow-up.
- Serve as the primary local contact for attorney onboarding, integration, promotions, role changes, departures, and related transitions; provide insight on staffing needs and trends.
- Advise attorneys and leadership on leaves, flexible work arrangements, career planning, and sensitive personnel matters.
- Support attorney committees and affinity groups at the local level, contributing to program effectiveness and engagement.
- Provide guidance on attorney relations matters with discretion and sound judgment.
Recruiting & Summer Associate Programs
- Design, manage, and assess all aspects of the Summer Associate Program in partnership with Recruiting leadership, including orientation, mentoring, programming, evaluations, and offer decisions.
- Coordinate with hiring partners and practice leadership to ensure meaningful work assignments and exposure to firm practices and pro bono opportunities.
- Manage law student and judicial clerk recruiting efforts, including on-campus and in-office interviewing, offer processes, and candidate follow-up.
- Lead local hiring committee processes and ensure hiring goals are met.
- Develop and execute outreach strategies to strengthen law school relationships and student engagement.
- Oversee local aspects of non-partner lateral hiring and onboarding in collaboration with Recruiting leadership.
Leadership & Operations
- Ensure effective local execution of firmwide attorney development and recruiting initiatives across West Coast offices.
- Manage attorney development and recruiting budgets, monitor expenses, and address variances in coordination with operational leadership.
- Hire, manage, and develop local Attorney Development staff.
- Maintain accurate recruiting data, reporting, and compliance documentation.
- Monitor industry trends and recommend enhancements to attorney development and recruiting practices.
- Lead or contribute to firmwide and departmental projects as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Skills & Abilities
- Strong leadership and people-management capability
- Excellent communication, organization, and analytical skills
- Proven discretion in handling confidential and sensitive matters
- Ability to manage complex, overlapping priorities across development and recruiting functions
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Proficiency with common recruiting and business systems (advanced Excel and presentation tools preferred)
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Approximately 8+ years of relevant experience in attorney development, legal recruiting, or law firm talent management, including prior management experience
- Demonstrated understanding of law firm structures, attorney career models, and legal recruiting practices