Lateral Member Recruiting Manager (Hybrid)

Dykema; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Flexible paid time off

Retirement savings plan with profit sharing

Mental health support

Professional development programs

Job summary

Dykema in Chicago is seeking a Lateral Member Recruiting Manager to oversee lateral member and senior counsel recruiting. This role involves managing the hiring process, developing candidate pipelines, and collaborating with firm leadership. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree, significant legal recruiting experience, and strong project management skills. The position offers a competitive benefits package and salary range of $130k-150k.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of overall legal recruiting experience.
• 2+ years of lateral partner recruiting experience.
• Strong understanding of law firm structures.

Responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day lateral member recruiting across offices.
• Source candidates through outreach and referrals.
• Drive interview processes from initial outreach to offer.

Skills

Project management

Excellent communication

Strong analytical skills

Microsoft Office

Legal recruiting experience

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Advanced degree (JD, MBA, etc.)

Tools

viRecruit

NetDocs

Job description

Dykema Gossett PLLC, a leading national law firm, is seeking to hire a Lateral Member Recruiting Manager. The Lateral Member Recruiting Manager will oversee the firm’s lateral member and senior counsel recruiting, integration, and retention efforts, helping to attract and retain exceptional senior‑level legal talent firmwide. The Manager will lead the day‑to‑day execution of lateral member hiring, focusing on pipeline development, candidate management, and process execution, and works closely with firm leadership to support strategic growth priorities. This position is open to all our office locations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Execution & Pipeline Development
  • Manage day‑to‑day lateral member recruiting across offices and practice areas.
  • Build and maintain active pipelines aligned with firm priorities.
  • Source candidates through direct outreach, referrals, and external recruiters.
  • Manage recruiter relationships and terms.
• Candidate Process Management
  • Serve as primary point of contact for candidates.
  • Coordinate and drive interview processes from initial outreach through offer.
  • Partner with internal stakeholders to gather and assess candidate materials (e.g., LPQ, business plans, financials).
  • Ensure timely follow‑up and process movement.
• Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Work closely with Department Directors, Practice Group Leaders, Office Managing Members, and other firm leadership to understand hiring priorities and market opportunities.
  • Provide regular updates on pipeline activity, market trends, and candidate progress.
  • Prepare candidate materials (proposal memo, supporting documents) for Chair and Executive Board review, and support internal discussions related to lateral candidates.
• Market Intelligence & Strategy Support
  • Track and report on market activity, competitor hiring, and emerging opportunities.
  • Contribute to the development of targeted recruiting strategies by practice and geography.
  • Identify gaps and opportunities within existing pipelines and recommend proactive approaches.
• Process Improvement & Operations
  • Identify opportunities to improve recruiting processes, candidate feedback, timelines, and communication.
  • Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date data in recruiting systems and reporting tools.
  • Support the development of consistent, repeatable processes for lateral member recruiting.

Key Attributes for Success

• Keen sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to manage multiple high‑priority searches simultaneously.
• Sound judgment and discretion with sensitive information.
• Lateral market awareness and understanding of firm strategic growth objectives.
• Collaborative mindset with a focus on execution and results.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree (JD, MBA, etc.) preferred.
• 5+ years of overall legal recruiting experience; 2+ years of lateral partner recruiting experience.
• Strong understanding of law firm structures, firm and candidate economics, and partner‑level considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder processes.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build credibility with firm leaders, candidates, and search firms.
• Proactive, resourceful, and comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, high‑touch environment.
• Team‑oriented self‑starter; ability to prioritize work responsibilities, work independently as needed, and multitask in a fast‑paced environment.
• Flexible and adaptive to change.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent judgment and respect for confidentiality.
• Willingness to be mentored by experienced professionals to execute job responsibilities.

Computer/Software Knowledge

• Required: Strong Microsoft Office skills including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Experience using an applicant tracking system (viRecruit preferred).
• Preferred: Experience using an attorney database or business intelligence tool such as Firm Prospects, Pirical, or Leopard List. Experience with a document management system is required, specific experience with NetDocs is a plus. Comfortability using firm‑approved AI tools to aid in candidate searches. Advanced web skills are helpful.

Working Conditions

• After‑hours and/or weekend work will be required on occasion as the workload requires.
• Ability and willingness to occasionally travel locally and nationally.

Great Benefits for Great People

Dykema offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well‑being and success of our employees both personally and professionally. This includes competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans, along with flexible paid time off (PTO), holiday leave, and a retirement savings plan with profit sharing for eligible employees. Other benefits include flexible spending programs, health savings account, commuter benefits, and personal and parental leave programs. We prioritize work‑life balance and offer wellness programs, and access to mental health support. Additionally, employees enjoy access to professional development programs, a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, and various employee discounts and perks. We are committed to providing a benefits package that helps our team thrive and feel valued.

Compensation Range

• Chicago: $130k-150k
• Los Angeles: $135k-170k
• Michigan Offices, Milwaukee, & Minneapolis: $120k-140k
• Austin, Dallas & Houston: $110k-130k
• San Antonio: $105k-125k
• Washington, D.C.: $130k-155k

The offered salary will be determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, work location, individual skill set, previous/applicable experience, education, external market data and consideration of internal equity.

EEO Statement

It is the Firm’s policy to provide employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis without regard to the individual’s age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, domestic partner relationship, physical characteristics, disability, or other protected characteristics under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances. Dykema will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the known disabilities of employees who are otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of the jobs involved. It is the responsibility of every individual concerned with personnel actions, including management, supervision, recruiting, compensation, benefits, promotions, work assignments and training, to ensure that these activities are administered consistent with the Firm’s goal of furthering the principle of equal employment opportunity.

E-Verify

Dykema uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Additional Information

This job posting is intended to describe the essential duties and responsibilities, the specialized job functions, and the essential requirements of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of all supplemental duties, responsibilities, non‑essential requirements, or reflect any accommodations made under the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act.