Legal Recruiting Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position summary

This position is responsible for the direction, coordination and overall management of lateral associate and law student recruiting, including but not limited to: recruitment and integration of lateral lawyers, management of the campus recruitment process, summer associate program, and new associate program for Reed Smith's Century City, Los Angeles and Orange County offices. Also responsible for attorney integration, mentor program, and various related talent management duties. Position/title will depend on candidate's level of experience.

Job duties and responsibilities

• Serve as the primary lead for lateral associate and counsel recruiting across the Southern California offices.
• Partner with the Director of Recruiting, Assistant Director of Entry-Level Legal Recruiting, Assistant Director of Lateral Partner Recruiting, Department Heads, Practice Leaders, and Office Managing Partners to identify, attract, and hire top lateral talent.
• Partner with the Assistant Director of Lateral Partner Recruiting to support lateral partner searches for the Southern California offices, including assisting with candidate research, interview coordination, due diligence, recruiting materials, and other aspects of the search process as needed.
• Collaborate with external search firms and legal recruiters to communicate hiring needs and open positions.
• Review and screen candidate applications, exercise independent judgment in assessing qualifications and overall fit, coordinate interviews, manage due diligence, and oversee the approval, offer, and onboarding process for lateral hires.
• Lead all aspects of campus recruiting and the Summer Associate Program for the Southern California offices.
• Coordinate law school recruiting initiatives, including on-campus interviews (OCI), law school events, callback interviews, recruiting committee meetings, and offer preparation for regional law schools and select firmwide target schools.
• Plan and execute the Summer Associate Program, including identifying mentors and writing coaches, coordinating training with the Learning & Development team, organizing social and professional development events, tracking work assignments and evaluations, scheduling regular meetings with summer associates and the recruiting committee, and managing the post-program offer process.
• Prepare and distribute recruiting reports, hiring metrics, and status updates as needed.
• Manage candidate data and recruiting workflows in Vi Wave, including resume circulation, offer and rejection correspondence, and statistical reporting.
• Prepare and manage the annual legal recruiting budget.
• Attend administrative meetings with leadership in the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Century City offices, and serve as trusted advisor to the Office Managing Partners on local recruiting and office initiatives.
• Develop a thorough understanding of firm systems, policies, procedures, client service standards, and strategic priorities to effectively address questions and resolve issues.
• Participate in firmwide recruiting initiatives, special projects, and cross-office recruiting task forces.
• Maintain active membership in the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and other relevant professional organizations.
• Identify opportunities to improve recruiting processes and efficiencies, and contribute to projects that enhance internal operations and the overall candidate experience.
• Ability to travel for meetings and trainings as required.

Job duties and responsibilit i es included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job duties and responsibilities at any time. 

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree.

Experience: A minimum of four years of management-level recruiting experience in a law firm and prior supervisory experience is strongly preferred. Should have a demonstrated understanding of current law firm industry, market trends and philosophies.

Skills: Strong leadership, management and organizational skills. Requires excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills, good judgment, a professional demeanor and the ability to provide an excellent first impression of the Firm. Must work well with all levels of Firm personnel and establish effective working relationships throughout the Firm. Must be highly motivated, creative, flexible and results-oriented and have the ability to prioritize appropriately. Must value the importance of the candidate experience and keep candidates informed and engaged. Ability to work under pressure and handle stressful situations with composure and resilience in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Additional information

Supervisory responsibilities: None.

Equipment used: Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, copier, scanner, etc.

Essential job functions

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks requiring prolonged and/or extensive computer use.
• Ability to use computers, telecommunications, and digital collaboration tools to perform core job responsibilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to maintain attention to detail while analyzing complex information, managing multiple priorities, and applying sound judgment to strategic decisions.
• Ability to access, use, and safeguard confidential and sensitive information while performing job responsibilities in work environments that support confidentiality, privacy, and information security requirements.
• Travel for meetings and training as required.
• Ability to work extended hours as required to meet project, client, or business needs.

Working conditions

You will be required to work in the office at minimum 4 days per week. Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor.

Pay ranges
This represents the presently anticipated low and high end of Reed Smith's pay range for this position. Actual pay may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location and experience.

Los Angeles: $145,000 - $170,000

Employee benefits overview

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Medical Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Virtual Health Services
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Coverage
• Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Lyra Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Family Leave (for eligible Exempt and Non-Exempt staff)
• Transportation Benefit
• Back-up Child Care Services
• College Coach Program
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Sick Time (for Exempt staff)
• Paid Time Off (available to all full-time, non-temporary employees)

Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401(k) plan.

Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer with Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork & Respect, Innovation, and Impact. Reed Smith also provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with law, including in the application and interview process.

Qualified candidates only. No search firms.