Hybrid/Remote Legal Talent Acquisition Lead

K&L Gates; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities

Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off (25-30 days per year)

Job summary

K&L Gates is seeking a Lateral Recruiting Specialist to independently manage lateral associate and counsel recruiting across U.S. practices.

The Specialist serves as a primary contact for candidates, search firms, hiring stakeholders, and internal teams, guiding progression from sourcing to offer. You will collaborate with the Legal Recruiting team on priorities, maintain accurate activity data in ATS, and lead or support projects, training, and policy reviews while delivering high-quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or commensurate experience preferred; advanced degree a plus.
• Minimum of five years of recruiting, talent acquisition, program management, or related experience, preferably within a law firm, law school, or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage defined recruiting programs, searches, projects, and stakeholder relationships within established priorities and approval frameworks, with limited supervision.
• Strong project management, organizational, written and verbal communication, relationship-building, and client-service skills.
• Sound judgment and the ability to identify issues, recommend solutions, and determine when escalation is appropriate.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, responsiveness, and timely follow-through.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a matrixed and geographically dispersed team.
• Proficiency with applicant tracking systems, recruiting platforms, spreadsheets, presentation software, and standard business applications.
• Ability to work outside regular business hours and travel periodically when business needs require.
• Must be able to manage the demands of a fast-paced work environment, including multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Must be able to exercise sound judgment, adapt to changing priorities, and communicate effectively with individuals at all organizational levels.
• Must be able to accommodate a flexible work schedule that may require extended hours and occasional weekend work.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned lateral associate and counsel searches within established strategies, timelines, and approval frameworks.
• Partner with Legal Recruiting team and stakeholders to understand hiring priorities and candidate profiles.
• Manage candidate progression through sourcing, screening, interviews, feedback, offer coordination, and transition.
• Maintain productive relationships with candidates, search firms, and internal stakeholders.
• Review candidate submissions, facilitate evaluation and feedback, and support competitive recruiting and offer-related matters.
• Provide timely pipeline and search updates.
• Maintain accurate candidate, interview, offer, and activity information in recruiting systems.
• Maintain reports, trackers, templates, guides, and documentation; monitor data quality and process compliance.
• Facilitate handoff of accepted candidates to Human Resources, Integration, and onboarding stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and day-to-day support to coordinators and recruiting support resources.
• Lead or contribute to projects, training, policy reviews, and process enhancements.

Skills

Project management

Written & verbal communication

Relationship-building

Client-service skills

Independent work

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

Applicant tracking systems

Recruiting platforms

Spreadsheets

Presentation software

Job description

K&L Gates is seeking a Lateral Recruiting Specialist to independently manage lateral associate and counsel recruiting across U.S. practices.

The Specialist serves as a primary contact for candidates, search firms, hiring stakeholders, and internal teams, guiding progression from sourcing to offer. You will collaborate with the Legal Recruiting team on priorities, maintain accurate activity data in ATS, and lead or support projects, training, and policy reviews while delivering high-quality