Manager, Lateral Partner Recruiting

McGuireWoods LLP; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid remote option

Access to innovative technology platforms

Job summary

McGuireWoods LLP is seeking a Lateral Partner Recruiting Manager to oversee all phases of recruiting for lateral partners and counsel. This role entails managing recruiting processes, conducting market research, and collaborating with leadership. The position offers a hybrid remote option, promoting work-life balance.

Ideal candidates will have at least seven years of experience in legal recruiting and a Bachelor’s degree. Strong communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office are essential. Join us to make a significant impact in our strategic growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of experience in recruiting or talent acquisition, preferably in a law firm.
• Strong understanding of legal recruiting processes and law firm partnership structures.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of lateral partner and counsel recruiting processes.
• Conduct market and competitive intelligence research.
• Oversee candidate interviews and prepare candidate materials.

Skills

Recruiting

Talent acquisition

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

viDesktop or similar database platforms

Job description

Overview

McGuireWoods LLP is seeking a Lateral Partner Recruiting Manager to support the strategic execution and administration of the firm’s lateral partner and counsel hiring initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Lateral Partner Recruiting, the Manager will drive the full recruiting lifecycle across multiple offices and practices, collaborating closely with department chairs and practice group leaders to identify, evaluate, and integrate high‑caliber talent. In this role, the Manager will oversee complex recruiting workflows and ensure a highly responsive, sophisticated, and seamless experience for both candidates and internal stakeholders.

McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers most employees a hybrid remote option allowing flexibility and work‑life balance. Our Applicant Disclosures describe your rights. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of lateral partner and counsel recruiting processes across multiple offices, departments, and administrative teams.
• Conduct market and competitive intelligence research, develop target candidate lists, and execute proactive search strategies including direct sourcing and market mapping.
• Collaborate with the Director and recruiting team to maintain and strengthen relationships with legal search firms and external recruiting contacts.
• Oversee all aspects of candidate interviews, including scheduling, developing interviewer slates, preparing candidate materials, and synthesizing interviewer feedback.
• Coordinate and support recruiting‑related due diligence processes, including conflicts disclosure, background reviews, and the collection of financial and practice‑related materials.
• Prepare and maintain recruiting pipeline reports, candidate tracking materials, business justification summaries, and evaluations for leadership review.
• Support integration and onboarding efforts for lateral partners and counsel in collaboration with administrative departments and firm leadership.
• Assist with the development of recruiting presentations, marketing materials, and profile‑raising initiatives related to the firm’s strategic growth.
• Identify opportunities to enhance recruiting operations, reporting, workflows, and processes, including leveraging technology, data analytics, and emerging AI tools.
• Manage special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in recruiting or talent acquisition, preferably within a law firm, legal recruiting agency, or professional services environment; or background practicing law with significant involvement in firm recruiting initiatives.
• Strong understanding of legal recruiting processes, law firm partnership structures, and the broader legal market strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing complex, fast‑paced processes or operational functions within a client‑service environment.
• Ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with firm leadership, displaying high executive presence, sound judgment, and absolute discretion with confidential matters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and applicant tracking systems (e.g., viDesktop or similar database platforms); experience leveraging data, reporting tools, or emerging AI capabilities is preferred.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Willingness and desire to work with innovative technology platforms - our employees also have access to Harvey, a legal‑specific AI tool that reduces time spent on routine tasks, allowing you to focus on more meaningful, high‑impact work.