Legal Recruiting Specialist

Marshall,-Gerstein-; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid remote work

Learning & development opportunities

Career coaching

Health insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP is seeking a Legal Recruiting Specialist to lead recruitment for all legal professionals, including patent agents and summer associates, in partnership with the CTDO. Responsibilities include screening candidates, coordinating interviews, overseeing background checks, onboarding plans, and managing the Summer Associate Program.

A minimum of 3+ years in legal recruiting, ATS familiarity, strong communication, and a bachelor’s degree are required; the firm offers a

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of legal recruiting experience.
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and other recruiting software.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment for all legal professionals, including patent agents and summer associates, from intake through offer.
• Coordinate candidate screening, interviews, and assessments; oversee background checks and onboarding plans.
• Lead the Summer Associate Program, including scheduling, training, and mentorship.
• Maintain candidate data and pipeline reporting; provide analytics on recruiting efforts.
• Advise CTDO and Hiring Partners on candidate pipelines and market conditions.
• Establish relationships with search firms and manage external recruitment activities.

Job description

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP provides sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to many of the world’s largest, most innovative businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs. For more than six decades, we have been exclusively dedicated to excellence in the practice of IP law. Our size and singular focus enhance efficiency, foster responsive and creative decision-making, and help clients achieve mission-critical results. We cultivate trust, communicate clearly, and deliver effective solutions.

YOUR ROLE:

The Legal Recruiting Specialist will lead the recruitment of all legal professional positions including technical specialists, patent agents, lateral attorneys, and summer associates. The Specialist will partner with the CTDO to develop and execute recruiting strategies and provide recommendations regarding candidates, market conditions, and hiring priorities.

YOUR IMPACT:

• Partner with the CTDO to manage legal recruiting from intake through offer, exercising independent judgment regarding candidate screening, interview strategy, sourcing channels, and recruiting priorities. Responsibilities include developing job descriptions and postings, screening candidates, coordinating interviews and assessments, overseeing background and reference checks, and managing onboarding plans.
• Lead all aspects of the Summer Associate Program including coordination of training sessions, scheduling program events, workshops, and mentorships for Summer Associates; evaluate program success through feedback surveys, performance reviews, and other metrics; manage the offer process for Summer Associates transitioning to full-time roles.
• Evaluate recruiting programs and recommend process, policy, and resource improvements.
• Manage on-campus summer associate interview programs, job fairs, and employer networking events; organize start dates and program events calendar; and schedule in-office interviews for law student candidates, including travel and overnight accommodations, if necessary.
• Respond to all professional employment inquiries and oversee candidate data and pipeline reporting in the recruiting database.
• Advise the CTDO, hiring partners, and Recruiting Committee on candidate pipelines, market conditions, and recruiting recommendations. Establish and maintain relationships with legal search firms, evaluate candidate quality, and coordinate search activity.
• Update and maintain the firm’s profiles in various directories such as NALP and Vault, and administration of annual Vault Associate Survey.
• Prepare reports and analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of recruiting efforts.
• Develop and manage onboarding and orientation programs for new Legal Personnel including Technical Specialists and Interns, Patent Agents, Associates, Summer Associates, Special Counsel, Of Counsel, and new Non-Equity Partners.
• Maintain recruiting calendars, recruiting deadlines, interview schedules, and internal recruiting databases to ensure efficient workflow, reporting, and planning across all legal recruiting activities.
• Serve as primary contact for responding to law firm surveys where Recruiting information is requested.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

YOUR SKILLS:

• Minimum 3+ years of legal recruiting experience.
• Experience in law school admissions, career services, or a related law school professional development function is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Ability to independently evaluate recruiting needs, resolve issues, and make recommendations on matters affecting legal talent acquisition.
• Familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and other recruiting software.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Superior attention to detail, problem-solving capabilities, and strong organizational skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with individuals at all levels of the firm
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy
• Ability to adapt and accept changes in job responsibilities based on the strategic goals of the firm
• Ability to exhibit sound judgment, maintain confidentiality and use discretion
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor that effectively represents the firm
• Ability to show initiative and accept accountability for projects
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and competing deadlines
• Available to work before or after normal working hours as necessary in order to meet the demands of the job and needs of the firm

YOUR REWARDS:

• Competitive salary, overall compensation and 401(k)
• Hybrid Remote Work Policy (3 Days In Office, 2 Days Remote)
• In-house and external learning and development opportunities
• Career Coaching Services
• Generous health insurance, mental health and well-being benefits
• Salary $80,000 to $92,000

EEO Statement

Our Firm is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our employment decisions are based on individual qualifications, job requirements and business needs without regard to race, color, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, religion, disability, citizenship status, national origin, pregnancy, veteran status and/or any other legally protected characteristics. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations, if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please email [e-mail].

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.