Legal Career Center

Legal Talent Acquisition Manager

Chicago, Dallas or Washington, D.C.

Flexible hybrid work schedule!

Thompson Coburn, a large full-service law firm with offices in seven (7) cities across the U.S., is in search of a Legal Talent Acquisition Manager to join its Legal Recruiting team. With over 400 attorneys and experience in 50 areas of law, Thompson Coburn is regularly recognized as providing clients with outstanding value and service. Our dedication to excellence starts with the values we hold in the highest regard, which guide our behavior and the expectations we have for ourselves. Find out more about our core values here.

The Legal Talent Acquisition Manager will manage the recruiting process for lateral partner attorneys, implement new outreach strategies to attract a qualified and diverse pool of candidates, and work with the Chief Legal Talent Officer and Practice Group Leaders to identify and develop best practices for recruiting lateral partners. The position will also work with the marketing department to develop and update marketing materials for lateral partner recruiting efforts. The Legal Talent Acquisition Manager must perform their responsibilities with efficiency and accuracy while maintaining a high level of professionalism. The ideal candidate will have a J.D., experience utilizing the viGlobal recruiting platform, knowledge of the attorney recruiting process and at least five years of recruiting experience. A Bachelor degree or equivalent experience is required and prior experience as a manager or supervisor preferred. The person selected for this position must be highly organized and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

This exempt position is eligible for a hybrid-remote work schedule and can be filled in Washington, D.C., Chicago or Dallas.

Job Responsibilities

• Manages the integration program for partner-level attorneys in all offices.  Activities include but are not limited to; creating integration teams for each new partner hire; developing and documenting integration plans; overseeing progress towards completion and coordinating inter-office travel to foster relationships between TC attorneys and new partner hires; connecting new partner hires with administrative resources, such as business development and marketing support; and attending regular meetings with new partner hires.
• Collaborates with, facilitates meetings for, and presents information to the CLTO and Practice Group Leaders as needed.
• Manages and administers the recruitment of lateral partner attorneys.  Activities include but are not limited to; collaborating with CLTO and hiring partners to determine hiring needs and best ways to source candidates; reviewing candidate resumes; managing candidate interview schedules; engaging search firm; corresponding with candidates throughout the recruitment and hiring process; ensuring required documentation is obtained; and overseeing candidate diligence process with internal stakeholders.
• Regularly reviews recruitment, hiring and integration processes and recommends modifications that result in better efficiencies.
• Collaborates with Firm’s Marketing department to develop and implement a social media and marketing strategy for lateral recruiting.  Activities include but are not limited to:  managing the Firm’s LinkedIn Recruiter account; drafting quarterly newsletters about the Firm’s growth; and maintaining lateral experience marketing materials (brochures, website content, etc).
• Manages maintenance of data in the Firm’s legal recruiting software program in support of the partner recruiting process to include appropriate weekly, monthly and ad hoc reports and serving as the main point of contact for the maintenance and enhancement of the partner integration tool within the program.
• Provides indirect oversight of department administrative support staff by providing direction to and working with administrative staff on Partner Recruiting and Integration related responsibilities.
• Monitors the partner recruiting and integration budget, approving related expenses and paying invoices for same.
• In conjunction with the Training Department, coordinates arrangements and orientation for lateral partner attorneys.
• Maintains knowledge of industry best practices impacting compliance, policy, and the recruitment and retention of attorneys by establishing contacts in the legal industry (e.g., professional associations and educational groups, and professional development efforts).
• Works with the Legal Recruiting Manager and CLTO on special projects.

Job Requirements

• Requires ability to use tact and diplomacy when interacting with others, and ability to communicate professionally with attorneys, candidates, department members, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Must possess a high level of professionalism and interpersonal skills so as to be able to work well with employees at all levels within the organization and maintain all information in the strictest of confidence.  Required to use tact and diplomacy when dealing with others.
• Must have ability to read, write and communicate fluent English; ability to compose documents in the appropriate business style using correct grammar and spelling; ability to communicate clearly using proper grammar and diction over the telephone.
• Must possess attention to detail, ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, and have strong time management skills.
• Must have ability to reason and apply common-sense understanding to situations encountered.
• Advanced level proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook is required.  
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies.
• Ability to process routine daily functions while being able to resolve sensitive issues and complex assignments utilizing above average critical thinking skills.
• Ability to travel as necessary.
• This is a full-time position which requires working in the office a minimum of 40 hours per week on a regular basis. During heavy recruiting periods, it includes working outside of normal business hours to ensure completion of position requirements.
• The physical demands of this position are representative of those that must be met by an employee in order for him or her to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.  These include being both mobile and stationary throughout the work day, having the ability to transport 20 pounds and being able to operate a computer and other business equipment found in the office.