Manager, Lateral Associate Recruiting

K&L Gates; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 97,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with Profit-Sh;

Paid Time Off

Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities

Job summary

K&L Gates in Dallas, TX is seeking a Manager, Lateral Associate Recruiting to lead lateral searches across U.S. practices.

This onsite role owns search execution from intake through handoff, partnering with hiring partners and practice leaders while maintaining momentum across concurrent searches. You will manage end-to-end processes, engage directly with candidates, and coordinate with search firms while ensuring a high-touch candidate experience and compliance across recruiting operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of legal recruiting or related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus.
• Experience managing concurrent searches and stakeholder relationships across offices.
• Experience managing search firm relationships and pipelines.
• Strong knowledge of legal talent markets and trends.
• Ability to use data and feedback to inform search strategy.
• Demonstrated credibility with partners and candidates.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end lateral associate searches from intake to handoff.
• Lead direct-outreach sourcing and pipeline development.
• Serve as primary recruiter contact for hiring partners on assigned searches.
• Coordinate candidate evaluation discussions and offer processes.
• Ensure compliance and accurate data in ATS and trackers.
• Mentor recruiting specialists and drive process improvements.
• Travel as needed and work extended hours when required.

Skills

Legal recruiting

Lateral searches

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Direct sourcing

Project management

Communication

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

Applicant tracking systems

Recruiting platforms

Spreadsheets

Presentation software

Office productivity tools

Job description

K&L Gates is seeking a Manager, Lateral Associate Recruiting to lead lateral associate searches across the firm’s U.S. practices. In this onsite role in Dallas, TX, you will own search execution from intake through handoff, partnering closely with hiring partners and practice leaders while maintaining momentum across a portfolio of concurrent searches.

Role Overview

• Manage end-to-end lateral associate searches for assigned roles, including sourcing, screening, interview management, offer development, and handoff to onboarding.
• Execute searches against hiring priorities set by practice Senior Managers and allocated by the Senior Manager, Associate and Entry-Level Recruiting.
• Maintain timeline discipline and search momentum across concurrent searches spanning multiple practices and offices, establishing priorities to meet search commitments.
• Support cross-practice coverage as demand shifts, including cross-training and equitable distribution of work across the recruiting team.

Sourcing and Market Engagement

• Lead direct-outreach sourcing and build candidate pipelines in advance of externally posting roles.
• Identify and engage lateral associate talent using recruiting platforms, market research, referrals, and networking.
• Stay current on competitor activity, associate talent movement, and market conditions relevant to assigned searches.
• Represent the firm and its practices credibly to prospective lateral associate candidates.

Partner Management, Search Firms, and Candidate Experience

• Serve as the primary recruiting contact for hiring partners on assigned searches, providing status updates, market context, and hiring recommendations.
• Partner with practice Senior Managers to confirm role requirements, candidate profiles, and evaluation criteria.
• Manage search firm engagement for assigned roles, including scoping, submissions, feedback, and performance assessment.
• Facilitate candidate evaluation and selection discussions with hiring partners and practice stakeholders.
• Deliver a responsive, high-touch, and professional candidate experience throughout the search.
• Coordinate timely communication among candidates, search firms, and internal stakeholders.

Operations, Compliance, and Reporting

• Partner with Human Resources and Integration to support a smooth transition following offer acceptance.
• Manage compliance requirements, including conflicts checks, due diligence, and complete recruitment file documentation.
• Maintain accurate, real-time data in applicant tracking systems, recruiting platforms, and trackers, and produce pipeline and hiring metrics to support decision-making.

Team Leadership, Process Improvement, and Planning

• Serve as a subject-matter resource to recruiting colleagues and share market intelligence and practical guidance across the team.
• Provide day-to-day direction and mentorship to specialists and coordinators supporting lateral associate recruiting.
• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen consistency, efficiency, and quality across lateral associate recruiting.
• Contribute analysis and recommendations to long-term lateral capacity planning, including hiring trends, time-to-fill, and market conditions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of legal recruiting, talent acquisition, or related experience, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment, including direct experience managing lateral associate or comparable professional-level searches.
• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience preferred; advanced degree a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a portfolio of concurrent searches and stakeholder relationships across multiple practice areas and offices.
• Experience managing search firm relationships, including scoping, submissions, and performance feedback.
• Demonstrated direct-sourcing capability, including pipeline development through market research, networking, and targeted outreach.
• Strong understanding of legal talent markets, recruiting trends, and the competitive landscape for associate talent.
• Ability to use recruiting data, market intelligence, and candidate feedback to inform search strategy and stakeholder recommendations.
• Proven ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with partners, candidates, search consultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong project management, organizational, written and verbal communication, relationship-building, and client-service skills.
• Sound judgment and a solutions-oriented approach to resolving complex recruiting and operational issues.
• 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 accommodate a flexible work schedule that may require extended hours and occasional weekend work.
• Desk-type position requiring a combination of sedentary and standing activities; daily use of a personal computer and associated software systems; some travel and in-office work required.

Compensation

• $97,000 - $182,500 per year.
• Salary will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors.

Benefits

• Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
• 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 (20 days/year through first 4 years of employment; 25 days/year after 5 years of employment)
• Paid Holidays (12)
• 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
• 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
• Perks including: Technology, Entertainment, and Travel Discount Programs
• Bereavement Leave
• All other benefits (such as leaves of absence) required by law

Additional Information

• E-Verify: We participate in E-Verify in certain Firm locations for purposes of verifying employment eligibility.
• Background check: This position requires successful completion of a background check.

Technologies

• Applicant tracking systems
• Recruiting platforms
• Spreadsheets
• Presentation software
• Standard business applications