The Director of Legal Recruiting and Development is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the firm's lateral recruitment, law school hiring, summer associate program, professional development and attorney evaluation program. However, there will be strong focus on lateral partner recruiting. Individual must have knowledge of the recruiting landscape, including good relationships with national recruiters and recruiters in many of the major markets throughout the United States. This is an exempt salary senior management position reporting directly to the firm's Executive Partner and Recruiting Committee.
Responsibilities Lateral Attorney Recruiting
Oversee all aspects of attorney hiring process. Screen all resumes and respond to all applicants. Solicit practice group interests, extend invitations to review and maintain all related status reports.
Work with Practice Group Leaders, Recruiting Committee and Executive Partner to identify attorney hiring needs.
Communicate and coordinate efforts with executive search firms regarding attorney hiring.
Facilitate decision-making process and follow-up, including offer letters and necessary reference checks.
Coordinate the hiring process from beginning to end including initial position assessment, recruiting, selection and interviewing, hiring and orientation. Also maintain all related reports concerning open position requisitions and candidate status.
Oversee and formally evaluate all aspects of lateral orientation.
Law School Recruiting
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with law school placement officers.
Schedule the fall on-campus calendar, review schools visited on an on-going basis and recommend changes as appropriate.
Prescreen all received student resumes and formally respond to all applicants.
Work closely with the Recruiting Committee and schedule meetings for all recruiting decisions.
Facilitate decision-making process and follow-up.
Prepare and analyze reports and projections regarding law school recruiting success and other pertinent issues/matters for committee review.
Conduct interview training on an annual basis.
Complete and update all pertinent forms and surveys for law schools.
Coordinate the hiring process from beginning to end including initial position assessment, recruiting, selection and interviewing, hiring and orientation.
Professional Development Program
Direct of all aspects of the training and orientation of new associates and lateral lawyers. Develop on-boarding plan for all new hires and laterals.
Assist associates in working with their Departmental Chairs to create individual career development plans.
Work with Human Resources, Department Chairs and Firm management in giving appropriate input for evaluations of individuals.
Direct all aspects of the Firm's professional development for all professional legal personnel.
Conduct formal exit interviews with exiting attorneys as needed and report results and recommend changes where appropriate.
Oversee and manage the budget for continuing legal education and professional development.
Work with the Diversity Committee to develop annual goals and plans.
About the Person
The successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and six to ten years of progressively responsible legal recruiting and professional development experience. The successful candidate should possess strong interpersonal skills including the ability to effectively collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization in stressful situations. Through demonstrated experience, the candidate should appreciate the level of urgency required in a law firm environment.
Candidates should have excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously. In dealing with their staff, the successful candidate should display strong leadership and team building skills. The individual should have the resourcefulness to analyze problems or needs, evaluate alternatives, and propose and implement solutions. The individual selected should be a good businessperson with the ability to communicate complex business issues to members of the partnership and relate them to consequences and results.
Varnum LLP is a full-service business law firm with 180 lawyers and eight offices across Michigan and a recently opened location in Naples, Florida. We are recognized by our firm members, clients and communities for responsive service, practical advice, quality work, and a team-oriented, entrepreneurial culture.
