Legal Recruiter

Akerman LLP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Akerman LLP is seeking a Legal Recruiter to drive strategic recruitment initiatives by identifying, engaging, and cultivating relationships with top legal talent in targeted markets. You will partner with the Chief Talent Officer and firm leadership to develop candidate pipelines, coordinate meetings, and track recruitment activity for current and future needs.

The ideal candidate is proactive, relationship-driven, highly organized, and comfortable conducting direct outreach to prospective

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of recruiting, executive search, legal recruiting, sales, business development, or professional services experience preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Confidence and professionalism in proactive outreach and cold calling.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with candidates and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to use AI and research tools to build target lists.
• Experience maintaining recruiting databases, ATS, or candidate relationship management tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, engage, and cultivate relationships with legal talent in targeted markets.
• Coordinate meetings and interviews between candidates and Akerman attorneys and leaders.
• Develop candidate pipelines and track recruitment activity for current and future hiring needs.
• Conduct outreach to prospective candidates and solicit referrals.
• Maintain recruiting databases, target lists, and status reports; monitor candidate progress.
• Support market research and competitive intelligence related to recruiting efforts.
• Ensure a positive candidate experience through timely communication and professional follow-up.

Skills

Relationship Building

Networking

Strategic Sourcing

Project Coordination

Organization and Follow-Through

Professionalism and Confidentiality

Strong Verbal and Written Communicatio

Microsoft Office Proficiency

Candidate outreach

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)

AI and research tools

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Job description

Founded in 1920, Akerman is recognized as one of the nation’s premier law firms, with more than 700 lawyers across the United States.

Akerman is seeking a Legal Recruiter to support the firm's strategic recruitment initiatives by identifying, engaging, and cultivating relationships with legal talent in targeted markets. This role will partner closely with firm's Chief Talent Officer, firm leadership and internal stakeholders to develop candidate pipelines, conduct outreach efforts, coordinate meetings and interviews, and track recruitment activity for current and future hiring needs. The ideal candidate is proactive, relationship-driven, highly organized, and comfortable conducting direct outreach to prospective candidates.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Partner with firm leadership to understand strategic hiring priorities and targeted recruiting needs.
• Build and develop target candidate lists based on criteria established by practice group leaders and firm management.
• Research and identify prospective attorney and legal professional candidates in designated markets and practice areas.
• Conduct cold outreach to pre-approved prospective candidates to introduce Akerman and assess interest in opportunities with the firm.
• Engage internal contacts and firm personnel to identify and solicit candidate referrals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with prospective candidates to build long-term talent pipelines.
• Coordinate and schedule meetings between prospective candidates and Akerman attorneys, practice leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Schedule and coordinate internal recruiting strategy meetings to discuss targeted hiring needs, candidate pipelines, and market intelligence.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date recruiting databases, target lists, candidate tracking spreadsheets, and status reports.
• Monitor candidate progress throughout the recruiting process and provide regular updates to firm leadership.
• Assist with gathering and organizing market research and competitive intelligence related to recruiting efforts.
• Ensure a positive candidate experience through timely communication and professional follow-up.
• Support special recruiting initiatives and strategic talent acquisition projects as assigned.
• Assist with additional projects and administrative responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 5 + years of previous recruiting, executive search, legal recruiting, sales, business development, or professional services experience preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Confidence and professionalism when conducting proactive outreach and cold calling activities.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with candidates and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, as well as in utilizing AI and other research tools to build and analyze target lists.
• Experience maintaining recruiting databases, applicant tracking systems, or candidate relationship management tools is preferred.
• Relationship Building
• Networking and Talent Identification
• Strategic Sourcing
• Project Coordination
• Organization and Follow-Through
• Professionalism and Confidentiality

This position plays a key role in helping Akerman proactively identify and attract top legal talent while supporting the firm's long-term growth and recruiting objectives.

Akerman offers a collaborative and collegial work environment, professional development opportunities, and a competitive compensation and benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.