Attorney Professional Development Lead — AI & Training

Foley & Lardner LLP; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 165,700 - 248,500; Full time

Job summary

Foley & Lardner LLP seeks a Senior Manager of Attorney Professional Development to lead the design and implementation of innovative training, including AI‑assisted programs, across the firm’s practice groups and career stages in Dallas and other offices.

The role oversees the Continuing Legal Education team, partners with the Chief Talent Officer and Director of Professional Development, and drives professional success, business of law, and business development curricula while ensuring client

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; JD preferred.
• Minimum ten (10) years of legal practice in a large law firm and/or experience in professional development or training, preferably in a law firm or professional services firm.
• Experience with or exposure to legal technology and AI tools in a professional services context preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all attorney training including legal and professional skills training to support attorneys across all practice groups and throughout all stages of their legal careers.
• Operationalizes the firm’s attorney AI learning strategy, including integrating AI learning across the attorney lifecycle in a way that preserves foundational lawyering skills and aligns training with evolving tools, client expectations, and firm priorities.
• Develops, pilots, and scales AI‑related curriculum, resources, and programming that incorporate AI into practice‑based training, reflecting emerging best practices and firm priorities.
• Develops and implements training programs directed toward professional success, business of law, and business development skills.
• Manages all aspects of the tenure‑based training programs where professional success skills are emphasized, including programs such as Tier II Academy and the annual Senior Counsel meeting.
• Collaborates with the integration team to develop and deliver onboarding programs for new classes of associates and partners, including programs such as New Associate Academy and the Promoted Partner Program.
• Designs, manages, and implements ongoing training offerings on topics of professional success, business of law, and business development.
• Evaluates curriculum and proposes content sources, whether from internal or external resources, including AI‑related training content and resources.
• Manages relationships with external providers of training content provided to an attorney audience through the Professional Development team.
• Evaluates the value of, and implements where appropriate, competency models and curriculum guides that establish benchmarks and set clear expectations for associates and senior counsel.
• Develops and uses various methods such as surveys, assessments and pilot groups to elicit feedback on training program needs.
• Develops presentations and presents on various topics including training, core competencies, and other areas.
• Supervises the firm’s Continuing Legal Education team and the issuance of CLE credits for both internal and client‑facing legal skills programs; coordinates payment of annual bar dues; and collaborates with the General Counsel’s office to ensure CLE compliance for all firm attorneys.
• Collaborates with the Professional Development leadership team to develop innovative and best‑practice guiding the structure and delivery of internal training programs.
• Collaborates with the Business Development & Marketing team to develop business development training.
• Coordinates with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team on training and initiatives to support the firm’s DEI efforts and strategic plan.
• Coordinates with the Best Self Committee on training‑related initiatives to support the firm’s wellness initiatives and related core values.
• Monitors trends in professional development, including with regard to development‑related technologies, AI tools, and innovative learning methods, in order to propose new and innovative solutions that improve the attorney experience and delivery of Professional Development resources.
• Develops strong relationships with attorneys and business professionals so as to best leverage the Professional Development team’s expertise, programs and materials.
• Oversees expense approval for training expenses incurred by trainees attending programs (meals, hotels, transportation) or in the delivery of the programs themselves (vendors, materials, gifts).

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Juris Doctor (JD) preferred

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Foley & Lardner LLP seeks a Senior Manager of Attorney Professional Development to lead the design and implementation of innovative training, including AI‑assisted programs, across the firm’s practice groups and career stages in Dallas and other offices.

The role oversees the Continuing Legal Education team, partners with the Chief Talent Officer and Director of Professional Development, and drives professional success, business of law, and business development curricula while ensuring client