Senior Legal Recruiter

Job Description

Job Description

Musick Peeler is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Recruiter to lead firmwide lateral attorney and paralegal recruiting efforts. This position partners closely with firm leadership, practice group leaders, and management to develop and execute strategic recruiting initiatives that attract top legal talent aligned with the firm’s culture and long-term growth objectives.

The ideal candidate will possess strong talent acquisition experience, exceptional relationship-building skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage the lateral recruitment process with professionalism and discretion. Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, this role is based in Los Angeles, is full-time, exempt, and eligible for a hybrid schedule.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment Strategy & Talent Acquisition

• Lead the full-cycle recruitment process for lateral partners, associates, and paralegals including direct sourcing, candidate screening and evaluation, interview coordination, offer management, and onboarding support
• Partner with practice group leaders and firm management to assess hiring needs and develop targeted recruitment strategies aligned with firm objectives
• Proactively source and engage qualified candidates through direct outreach, networking, referrals, legal recruiting platforms, and industry events
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified candidates to support both current and future hiring needs
• Monitor legal market trends, compensation and benefits benchmarks, and competitor activity to support strategic hiring decisions and recruiting initiatives
• Support diversity and inclusion initiatives focused on attracting and retaining a broad and diverse candidate pool
• Provide periodic updates to the Executive Committee regarding ongoing recruitment initiatives, hiring progress, market trends, competitive recruiting conditions, and the firm’s evolving talent acquisition needs. Present on pipeline development, recruiting challenges and opportunities, and strategic recommendations

Candidate Management & Interview Process

• In collaboration with Human Resources, conduct candidate screenings and interviews, and provide thoughtful recommendations regarding qualifications, experience, and overall fit
• Coordinate and oversee all aspects of the interview process, ensuring a professional, organized, and positive candidate experience
• Serve as a primary point of contact for candidates and internal stakeholders throughout the recruitment process
• Collaborate with the Director of Human Resources and firm leadership regarding compensation and benefit alignment, offer development, and candidate closing strategies

Recruiting Operations & Administration

• Draft, manage, and oversee external job postings and recruitment advertisements for the firm website and applicable job boards
• Maintain accurate recruiting records within the applicant tracking system and track recruiting activity, hiring metrics, and market data
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as firm policies and procedures
• Continuously evaluate and improve recruiting processes, workflows, tools, and best practices to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness
• Travel to firm offices and recruiting events, as needed

Firm Branding & Relationship Management

• Promote the firm’s culture and career opportunities within the legal community and through professional networking opportunities
• Collaborate with Human Resources, public relations, and firm management to strengthen and promote the firm's brand, reputation, and market presence
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with attorneys, firm leadership, candidates, and external industry contacts
• Represent the firm professionally at recruiting and industry events to strengthen visibility and enhance the firm’s employer brand

Qualifications

Experience & Industry Knowledge

• Minimum of 7 years of legal recruiting or talent acquisition experience within a law firm environment required
• Significant experience managing lateral attorney and partner-level recruitment required
• Strong understanding of the legal recruiting market, including hiring trends, compensation structures, and the competitive landscape
• Participation in professional recruiting associations or legal industry organizations is a plus

Communication & Relationship Management

• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with attorneys, firm leadership, candidates, and external industry contacts
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to professionally handle sensitive and confidential matters
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills, including the ability to influence, build trust, and maintain credibility across all levels of the firm

Organizational & Professional Skills

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Proactive, resourceful, and solution-oriented with strong follow-through and responsiveness
• Strong judgment, professionalism, discretion, and ethical standards
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across offices and departments
• Adaptable and capable of thriving in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities

Technical Skills

• Experience using applicant tracking systems, LinkedIn Recruiter, and sourcing platforms
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel

Education

• Bachelor’s degree is required
• An advanced degree, including a JD or Master’s degree, is a plus

Benefits/Compensation

Competitive benefits package that includes paid vacation and sick leave, paid firm holidays, paid medical/ dental/ vision, 401(k), Group Life Ins., LTD, LTC option, Flexible Spending Account, and paid parking in the building or a travel allowance. Salary range for this position is $180,000 – $190,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, age, national origin, sex or any other applicable category protected by state and/or federal laws. In addition to federal law requirements, Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the firm has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, retention, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation