Attorney Development Manager

CF Legal Recruiting and Staffing; New York (NY); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) plan

FSA

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness memberships (Gympass)

Paid vacation and sick time

Parental leave

Disability leave

Job summary

CF Legal Recruiting and Staffing seeks an Attorney Development Manager/Director of Talent Management for a prominent Manhattan real estate law firm. The role leads strategic talent acquisition, attorney development, and professional development initiatives, reporting to the COO and Hiring Partner.

Key duties include overseeing recruitment, onboarding, and mid-year/year-end reviews, managing first-year programs, and building relations with law schools and bar associations to strengthen pipelines.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in law firm recruiting, staffing, talent management, or attorney development.
• Experience managing professional development programs, including CLE administration and training.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships across all levels.

Responsibilities

• Direct the firm's talent acquisition and professional development strategy with leadership.
• Develop and execute innovative recruiting strategies for the legal and real estate sectors.
• Lead attorney recruitment, onboarding, and management of externs and law students.
• Manage first-year associate and externship programs, including outreach and onboarding.
• Build and sustain relationships with law schools, bar associations, and search firms to diversify pipelines.
• Collaborate across HR, Benefits, Marketing, and Business Development on recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Oversee onboarding, orientation, mentoring, and ongoing professional development.
• Oversee performance review processes and coordinate with leadership.
• Develop educational programs for attorneys and staff with the Professional Development Committee.
• Manage the CLE program, including compliance and reporting.

Skills

Talent management

Attorney development

Recruiting

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS

Job description

Attorney Development Manager/ Director of Talent Management

About the Opportunity

A prominent, well-established Manhattan-based real estate law firm is seeking a Director of Talent Management to lead its strategic talent acquisition, attorney development, and professional development initiatives. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and Hiring Partner, this role oversees recruiting, integration, training, mentoring, and talent management while partnering with firm leadership to attract, develop, and retain top legal talent.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the firm's talent acquisition and professional development strategy in partnership with department chairs and leadership to support long-term growth and workforce planning.
• Develop and execute innovative recruiting strategies that position the firm as an employer of choice in the legal and real estate industries.
• Lead all attorney recruitment — lateral partners, associates, contract attorneys, law students, and externs — and oversee hiring and onboarding of administrative professionals alongside the Hiring Partner and COO.
• Manage the firm's first-year associate and externship programs, including law school outreach, sourcing, interview coordination, offer management, onboarding, and program administration.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with legal search firms, law schools, bar associations, and professional organizations to strengthen pipelines and candidate diversity.
• Partner across practice groups, HR, Benefits, Marketing, and Business Development on initiatives that enhance recruitment, retention, engagement, and the overall employee experience.
• Oversee attorney and staff onboarding, orientation, integration, mentoring, and ongoing professional development.
• Manage mid-year and year-end performance review processes, including planning, communications, timelines, and coordination with leadership.
• Anticipate firmwide training needs and, with the Professional Development Committee, develop educational programs for attorneys and staff.
• Manage the firm's CLE program, including Accredited Provider renewal, regulatory compliance, program administration, and attorney CLE reporting.
• Serve as primary liaison to the firm's Pro Bono Committee, coordinating initiatives, external partnerships, and attorney engagement.
• Represent the firm at recruiting events, law schools, and industry organizations as an ambassador for its culture and employer brand.
• Negotiate and manage vendor agreements, memberships, and recruiting/training/PD budgets, and partner with the COO on strategic firm initiatives.

Who You Are

• 5+ years of relevant experience, ideally in a law firm or professional services environment, spanning legal recruiting, staffing, talent management, attorney development, or workforce planning.
• Experience managing law firm professional development programs — including CLE administration, attorney training, and compliance — preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Results-oriented, proactive, and adaptable, with a commitment to continuous improvement and exceptional service.
• Demonstrated discretion, judgment, and professionalism with confidential information.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with law firm technology platforms and Microsoft Office, with the ability to quickly learn new tools.
• Base salary of $160,000–$190,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k), FSA, and Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellness memberships (including Gympass) and additional wellbeing benefits.
• Paid vacation and sick time, parental leave, and disability leave.