Specialist, Professional Development

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP seeks a Specialist in Professional Development to partner with the NY PD team and DC partners. You will help allocate work, monitor utilization, and support performance reviews and onboarding for associates and counsel.

Responsibilities include coordinating development priorities, mentoring DC attorneys, and organizing practice group meetings and trainings. Strong collaboration and discretion are essential.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ post‑graduate experience in a law firm or professional services organization.
• Familiarity with Litigation practice preferred.
• Experience collaborating with partners in a large law firm setting.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with NY‑based PD team supporting attorneys in DC.
• Monitor attorneys’ availability and utilization, and assist with staffing as needed.
• Advise associates on professional development goals and progress.
• Coordinate the performance evaluation process for DC associates and counsel.
• Track and facilitate the realization of Professional Development Priorities identified during year‑end review.
• Meet regularly with DC‑based attorneys to monitor morale and address concerns.
• Manage mentorship program for DC associates.
• Manage re‑integration and conduct check‑ins for attorneys returning from leave or secondment.
• Make recommendations for improving associate recruiting and retention.
• Collaborate with Recruiting and HR to conduct orientation for lateral attorneys.
• Check‑ins with lateral attorneys and track admission to the DC bar.
• Identify training needs and organize training programs with PD team.
• Organize regular practice group meetings and social gatherings for the DC office.

Skills

Time management

Communication skills

Discretion

Teamwork

Problem solving

PowerPoint

Excel

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Position Summary

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world‑class practices across the board. Clients know they can rely on Davis Polk for their most challenging legal and business matters. From offices in the world’s key financial centers and political capitals, our more than 1,000 lawyers collaborate seamlessly to deliver exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions. Visit davispolk.com.

The Specialist, Professional Development will work closely with the NY‑based Professional Development team and the partners in the DC office to assist with work allocation, utilization, performance and development, performance review process, onboarding and integration of new attorneys as well as organizing practice group, and office‑wide events and assisting with various administrative tasks.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Retention, Development and Utilization

• Work closely with the NY‑based PD team supporting attorneys in DC.
• Monitor attorneys’ availability and utilization, as well as assist with staffing attorneys as needed.
• Advise associates and counsel on professional development goals and progress.
• Work with the PD team to coordinate the performance evaluation process for DC associates and counsel.
• Track and facilitate the realization of Professional Development Priorities identified during year‑end review process.
• Meet regularly with DC‑based attorneys to monitor morale, answer questions, and address any concerns.
• Manage mentorship program for DC associates.
• Manage re‑integration and conduct check‑ins for attorneys returning from leave or secondment.
• Make recommendations for improving associate recruiting and retention.

Orientation & Integration of New and Lateral Attorneys

• Collaborate with Recruiting and HR to conduct orientation for lateral attorneys.
• Conduct regular check‑ins with lateral attorneys.
• Work with PD team to track admission to the DC bar.

Additional Responsibilities

• Work with practice group leaders, knowledge management team and other PD managers to identify training needs and skill gaps and assist with organizing training programs to address those needs.
• Collaborate with DC office to organize regular practice group meetings and social gatherings for the group and the attorneys in the DC office.

Qualifications/Position Requirements

• Strong time‑management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks quickly and efficiently.
• Detail‑oriented, organized and driven, with the desire to take ownership of projects and responsibilities, but to also work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Able to propose creative solutions to challenging problems.
• Ability to maintain utmost discretion of confidential information.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work confidently and collaboratively with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to establish rapport and build relationships and credibility with internal stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain professional composure in high‑pressure situations and a fast‑paced, multi‑authority environment.
• Highly motivated, responsive and conscientious, with a commitment to delivering excellent client service.
• Availability during standard office hours and the ability to respond to email promptly outside of standard office hours and on weekends is essential.
• Familiarity with Excel and comfortable creating and presenting PowerPoint presentations expected.

Education And/or Experience

• A minimum of three to five years’ post‑graduate experience in a law firm or professional services organization expected.
• Familiarity with Litigation practice preferred.
• Experience collaborating with partners in a large law firm setting expected.

Compensation

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $100,000 - $120,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, anticipated assignment, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Davis Polk offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.