Public Relations Specialist

Keane & Beane, P.C.; West Lebanon (NH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global legal firm seeks a Public Relations Specialist to enhance its profile and brand through strategic communications and media relations. This role involves building strong relationships with reporters, managing proactive outreach, and supporting business development initiatives. Ideal candidates possess strong communication skills, a relevant degree, and a minimum of 5 years experience in public relations or corporate communications, preferably in a law firm setting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in public relations or corporate communications; experience in a law firm preferred.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Flexibility to monitor emails and work outside regular business hours.

Responsibilities

• Support PR tactics within integrated communications plans to raise the firm's profile.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters and editors.
• Draft and distribute press releases and media advisories.

Skills

Media Relations

Project Management

Inter-Personal Relationship Building

Oral and Written Communication

Attention to Detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications, or related field

Job description

Overview

Cleary Gottlieb is a pioneer in globalizing the legal profession. We have 16 offices in major financial centers around the world, but we operate as a single, integrated global partnership and not a U.S. firm with a network of overseas locations. The firm employs approximately 1,100 lawyers from more than 50 countries.

Since 1946 our lawyers and staff have worked across practices, industries, jurisdictions and continents to provide clients with simple, actionable approaches to their most complex legal and business challenges, whether domestic or international. We support every client relationship with intellectual agility, commercial acumen and a human touch.

The public relations specialist supports the development and implementation of public relations (PR) strategies that align with business development practice goals as well as aim to raise the firm’s public profile and protect the firm’s brand and reputation. Leveraging media relations experience and PR and communications tactics, the specialist will support a range of profile-raising and business development initiatives, working closely with the Business Development, Marketing and Communications teams, partners, and across professional staff departments. The specialist role will primarily support the firm’s America’s region but as a member of the global PR function, will provide back-up coverage and support to the EMEA-based PR team.

Responsibilities

• Support PR tactics within integrated communications plans and campaigns to raise the profile of the firm’s lawyers and practice groups.
• Stay current on news, competitor activity, and industry trends of importance to our firm, practices, lawyers, and clients, and identify opportunities for proactive pitching and profile-raising.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters and editors at target outlets.
• Vet in-bound media inquiries, make recommendations, and direct the inquiries to appropriate spokespeople for consideration; provide guidance and counsel on best practices, approach, areas of sensitivity, etc.
• Facilitate scheduling and staffing of media interviews (virtual and/or in-person).
• Prepare interview briefing materials and staff the meetings as appropriate.
• Draft and distribute press releases, deal, litigation, and matter announcements, and general media advisories.
• Track, monitor and report on PR KPIs, including proactive outreach, coverage and other practice and Executive Committee reports.
• Identify opportunities for pitching and placing lawyer-authored articles. Manage approvals process.
• Collaborate with Business Development teams to support business development plans, identify and maintain editorial calendars for target publications.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior-level team members.
• Foster a culture that supports collaboration and team spirit committed to excellence and the highest levels of client service.

• 5+ years of professional experience in public relations or corporate communications; experience in a law firm preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications, marketing, or related field.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Previous experience developing and managing relationships with reporters/journalists.
• Strong inter-personal relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and project management; ability to manage multiple priorities and deliverables while meeting time-sensitive deadlines.
• Exceptional oral and written skills with strong attention to grammar, punctuation and detail.
• Flexibility to monitor emails and work outside of regular business hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends, as needed.