Professional Development Manager – Attorney Training

Careers; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k plan

11+ holidays per year

PTO 23 days first year

Job summary

Latham & Watkins is seeking a Professional Development Manager – Attorney Training to lead the design and execution of lawyer training programs across the firm, collaborating with senior leadership to advance curricula and alignment with firm goals.

Based in Chicago, New York, or Washington, D.C., the role supports hybrid in-office work, oversees accreditation processes, and partners with Practice Groups to build durable training initiatives that develop partners and associates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required
• J.D. from an accredited law school is required
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in a legal or professional services environment
• Minimum of seven (7) years of cumulative experience in related roles
• Experience as an associate in a relevant department in a large law firm is preferred

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement training curricula across practice groups and platforms
• Lead and coordinate with the TACE Committee; prepare agendas and communicate training initiatives
• Oversee accreditation and compliance processes for training programs
• Act as strategic project/program manager for major training initiatives and collaborate with external experts
• Contribute to performance evaluations and support talent development and coaching
• Protect sensitive and confidential information in training programs

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Initiative

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

J.D. from a law school

Job description

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers around the world. Our investment in people, commitment to innovation, and focus on the future empower you to build an incredible career and thrive as an exceptional professional in a supportive culture. If you aspire to be the best, and work with the best, this is where you belong.

About the Role

The Professional Development Manager – Attorney Training is an integral part of Latham’s Professional Development team. This role will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive lawyer training programs across the firm, collaborating with senior leaders, committees, and other firm stakeholders to enhance curricula and support training initiatives, while serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, including GDCs, PGCs, and Practice Group Management Teams (PGMTs), providing strategic subject matter expertise on lawyer training priorities, resource allocation, and alignment with firm and practice group goals. This role will be located in either our Chicago, New York, or Washington, D.C office. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Other key responsibilities include:

• Driving the design, development, and implementation of training curricula in collaboration with the TACE Committee, ensuring consistency, quality, and integration across practice groups and platforms
• Furthering the progress of the TACE Committee, including preparing meeting agendas and retreats, tracking and implementing action items and new initiatives; drafting a wide variety of training related communications for both internal and external audiences, including a variety of Latham news articles
• Conducting research and staying abreast of the latest developments in training, ensuring continuing enhancements through benchmarking with law firm peers and evaluating ways in which existing programs can be improved; overseeing the firm’s relevant accreditation and compliance processes for the training programs of the relevant lawyer departments or practice groups
• Acting as a strategic project and program manager for major training initiatives and special projects, working closely with other key stakeholders and colleagues across the firm to ensure training effectiveness; developing relationships with external subject matter experts, consultants, and speakers
• Contributing to performance evaluations, working with Human Capital & Talent to recruit, hire, train, coach, and manage the performance of employees
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Demonstrate exceptional and professional interpersonal skills (e.g., active listening), including superior written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact with people at all organizational levels
• Possess the ability to take initiative and work both independently and in a team environment with a customer-service focus
• Exhibit the ability to undertake large, long‑term projects, develop alternative methods to complete them, and implement solutions

And have:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• A J.D. from an accredited law school
• Experience as an associate in a relevant department in a large law firm, preferably
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in a legal or professional services environment
• A minimum of seven (7) years of cumulative experience

Benefits & Additional Information

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Well‑being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well‑being events, and more)
• Professional development programs
• Employee discounts
• Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

Pay Range

USD $170,000.00 - USD $200,000.00 /Yr.