Legal Recruiting Specialist, Entry-Level Recruiting

K&L Gates; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (H"

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Arrangements

Professional Development and CLE

Job summary

K&L Gates is seeking a Legal Recruiting Specialist, Entry-Level Recruiting, to independently manage and advance the firm’s U.S. entry-level programs, including law student hiring, summer associate programs, and first-year pipelines.

The role provides cross-functional coverage across Recruiting, Professional Development, HR and Payroll, with responsibility for program materials, timelines and stakeholder communications. A strong background in recruiting within professional services is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or commensurate experience; advanced degree a plus.
• Minimum of five years of recruiting, talent acquisition, program management, or related experience.
• Ability to independently manage defined recruiting programs with limited supervision.
• Strong project management, organizational, written and verbal communication, relationship-building, and client-service skills.
• Experience within a law firm, law school, or professional services environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned entry-level recruiting programs and processes within established strategies, timelines, and approval frameworks.
• Support U.S. entry-level hiring across law student, summer associate, first-year, third-year, judicial clerk, and other approved pipelines.
• Coordinate annual cycles, calendars, communications, and deliverables across participating offices.
• Coordinate on-campus interviews, job fairs, resume collections, direct applications, sponsorships, and targeted outreach.
• Serve as a primary contact for assigned law schools, candidates, student organizations, and participating lawyers.
• Coordinate interviewer preparation, candidate communications, events, and follow-up.
• Coordinate firmwide and multi-office program components, including planning, communications, training, evaluations, and end-of-program activities.
• Partner with office recruiting teams, Hiring Committees, Professional Development, Human Resources, Payroll, Technology, and Marketing Communications.
• Gather feedback and recommend program enhancements.
• Coordinate first-year hiring and pre-arrival activities.
• Maintain accepted-offer and transition information and facilitate handoff to onboarding, Integration, and Professional Development teams.
• Maintain accurate recruiting-system data, trackers, templates, guides, and process documentation.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource and share practical guidance with colleagues.
• Provide cross-functional coverage and recommend process improvements.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Relationship-building

Client service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

Applicant tracking systems

Recruiting platforms

Spreadsheets

Presentation software

Standard business applications

Job description

Job Description

At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.

Job Summary

At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.

The Legal Recruiting Specialist, Entry-Level Recruiting, independently manages and advances assigned components of the firm's U.S. entry-level recruiting programs, including law student recruiting, first-year associate hiring, recruiting events, and the Summer Associate Program.

The Specialist serves as a central resource for entry-level recruiting processes, timelines, communications, systems, and program materials and provides cross-functional coverage as business needs require.

Essential Duties

• Manage assigned entry-level recruiting programs and processes within established strategies, timelines, and approval frameworks.
• Support U.S. entry-level hiring across law student, summer associate, first-year, third-year, judicial clerk, and other approved pipelines.
• Coordinate annual cycles, calendars, communications, and deliverables across participating offices.
• Coordinate on-campus interviews, job fairs, resume collections, direct applications, sponsorships, and targeted outreach.
• Serve as a primary contact for assigned law schools, candidates, student organizations, and participating lawyers.
• Coordinate interviewer preparation, candidate communications, events, and follow-up.
• Coordinate firmwide and multi-office program components, including planning, communications, training, evaluations, and end-of-program activities.
• Partner with office recruiting teams, Hiring Committees, Professional Development, Human Resources, Payroll, Technology, and Marketing Communications.
• Gather feedback and recommend program enhancements.
• Coordinate first-year hiring and pre-arrival activities.
• Maintain accepted-offer and transition information and facilitate handoff to onboarding, Integration, and Professional Development teams.
• Maintain accurate recruiting-system data, trackers, templates, guides, and process documentation.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource and share practical guidance with colleagues.
• Provide cross-functional coverage and recommend process improvements.

Additional Duties

EXPERIENCE SKILLS REQUIRED

• 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.

Compensation Salary $75,000 - $141,000 / year

The compensation salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors.

About The Firm

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world.

The industry recognition the firm has garnered emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.

Notice: We participate in E-Verify in certain Firm locations for purposes of verifying employment eligibility.

Please be advised that this position requires successful completion of a background check. In accordance with the Washington State Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act, and applicable law qualified California and Washington State applicants with criminal history records will be considered. A criminal history will not categorically exclude a candidate from employment, and the Firm will consider relevant factors before making employment decisions based on criminal history information.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Benefits

• Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
• Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
• Dental Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Vision Insurance
• Pre-tax Commuting Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and Profit Sharing
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Short- and Long-term Disability Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance (including Basic, Supplemental, Spouse, Child, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment)
• Health Advocacy Services
• Paid Time Off (25-30 days per year)
• Identity Protection/Restoration and Fraud Insurance
• Parental Leave (18 weeks of which 12 are paid; short-term disability may provide additional paid time off)
• Student loan refinancing options and access to a student loan concierge service
• Paid Holidays (12)
• Addiction Resources
• Family Building Benefits
• Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employees also may be eligible to receive bonuses and certain expense reimbursements
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
• 529 Deductions
• Relocation
• Accident Insurance
• Employee Referral Program
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Perks including: Technology, Entertainment, and Travel Discount Programs
• Bereavement Leave
• All other benefits (such as leaves of absence) required by law

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Firm that employment decisions shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by virtue of a person’s race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, and twists), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, familial status, domestic violence victim status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, assignment, and dismissal. In addition, it is the Firm’s policy to provide an environment that is free of prohibited harassment of any kind including, without limitation, that which is based on sex, race, age, disability, ethnic background, or any other category protected by law (including the categories listed above). The Firm complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact [e-mail].