Lateral Recruiting Assistant Manager

0400 FBD USA LLP; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Freshfields US LLP in New York is seeking a Senior Coordinator or Assistant Manager to support the full-cycle lateral recruiting of associates, counsel, and partners across the U.S. offices.

You will manage candidate pipelines, coordinate interviews, and serve as a primary point of contact for candidates, search firms, and internal stakeholders. The role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of attorney recruiting experience, preferably in a law firm or professional services

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3+ years of attorney recruiting experience, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage full-cycle recruiting processes with increasing independence.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a polished and client-focused approach.
• High level of discretion and commitment to confidentiality.
• Proactive, resourceful, and able to operate independently while knowing when to elevate issues.
• Strong attention to detail with flexibility to adapt in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); ATS experience preferred.
• Knowledge of background check processes a plus.
• Willingness to work outside standard hours as needed.

Responsibilities

• Support the full lifecycle of lateral recruiting across all levels, from sourcing through offer and onboarding.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for candidates, search firms, practice group leaders, and internal stakeholders.
• Manage active candidate pipelines, ensuring timely communication, strong organization, and a consistent candidate experience.
• Lead interview logistics end-to-end, including scheduling, coordination, feedback collection, and follow-up.
• Review resumes, maintain accurate candidate data, and monitor pipeline activity and market trends.
• Partner with senior leadership to support proactive sourcing strategies and targeted hiring efforts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external recruiters and internal business partners.
• Provide guidance and day-to-day oversight to Recruiting Assistants and Coordinators.
• Take ownership of practice area hiring initiatives and lateral recruiting projects.
• Contribute to reporting, data analysis, and continuous improvement of recruiting processes.
• Prepare updates and materials for leadership, including hiring activity and market insights.
• Maintain recruiting systems and ensure data integrity across platforms.
• Collaborate with global recruiting colleagues on cross-office initiatives.
• Deliver a high-touch, professional experience for candidates at every stage.
• Support onboarding and integration of lateral hires in partnership with the broader People team.
• Foster consistency in communication, processes, and documentation across the recruiting team.
• Act as a role model for professionalism, sound judgment, and strong client service.

Skills

Attorney recruiting

Bachelor’s degree

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

ATS experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

ATS experience

Microsoft Office

Job description

The lateral recruiting team is responsible for attracting and hiring top-tier lateral talent across the firm. We are seeking a Senior Coordinator or Assistant Manager to support the full-cycle recruitment of associates, counsel, and partners across our U.S. offices.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

• Support the full lifecycle of lateral recruiting across all levels, from sourcing through offer and onboarding
• Serve as a primary point of contact for candidates, search firms, practice group leaders, and internal stakeholders
• Manage active candidate pipelines, ensuring timely communication, strong organization, and a consistent candidate experience
• Lead interview logistics end-to-end, including scheduling, coordination, feedback collection, and follow-up
• Review resumes, maintain accurate candidate data, and monitor pipeline activity and market trends
• Partner with senior leadership to support proactive sourcing strategies and targeted hiring efforts
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external recruiters and internal business partners
• Provide guidance and day-to-day oversight to Recruiting Assistants and Coordinators
• Take ownership of practice area hiring initiatives and lateral recruiting projects
• Contribute to reporting, data analysis, and continuous improvement of recruiting processes
• Prepare updates and materials for leadership, including hiring activity and market insights
• Maintain recruiting systems and ensure data integrity across platforms
• Collaborate with global recruiting colleagues on cross-office initiatives
• Deliver a high-touch, professional experience for candidates at every stage
• Support onboarding and integration of lateral hires in partnership with the broader People team
• Foster consistency in communication, processes, and documentation across the recruiting team
• Act as a role model for professionalism, sound judgment, and strong client service

Key Requirements (Communication/skills/experience)

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3+ years of attorney recruiting experience, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage full-cycle recruiting processes with increasing independence
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a polished and client-focused approach
• High level of discretion and commitment to confidentiality
• Proactive, resourceful, and able to operate independently while knowing when to elevate issues
• Strong attention to detail with flexibility to adapt in a dynamic environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); ATS experience preferred
• Knowledge of background check processes a plus
• Willingness to work outside standard hours as needed

Compensation Range (for New York and California)

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $120,000 to $145,000.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid (3 days per week in the New York office, with flexibility to work additional days in the office if needed)

EEO Statement

Freshfields US LLP is proud to be an equal employment employer. Our policies and practices will be free from unlawful discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, military service, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We strive to promote an atmosphere that encourages equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment.

Disability Accommodation for Applicants

Freshfields US LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the alternative email address below to contact us about your interest in employment at [e-mail] , or you can send your resume to [e-mail] , or you can call us at [phone]. Freshfields is a global law firm with a long-standing track record of successfully supporting the world’s leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments on ground-breaking and business critical mandates. At Freshfields we seek to create a better future for our clients, our people and the communities in which we work. Our global teams bring together individuals with different experiences, skills and strengths in a culture where we support all to belong, engage and excel.