Strategic Lateral Partner Recruiting Lead

Manatt Health Strategies, LLC

Washington (District of Columbia)

On-site

USD 225,000 - 325,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Job summary

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is seeking a Director of Lateral Partner Recruiting to lead nationwide partner acquisition efforts. The role focuses on identifying, evaluating, and onboarding high-performing lateral partners and groups aligned with growth objectives.

Ideal candidates bring deep legal recruiting expertise, Am Law 100 experience, and a strong network in the legal community. This is a high-visibility, strategic leadership role within the Talent Acquisition team.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required.
10+ years in legal recruiting, attorney recruiting, talent acquisition, or related leadership roles.
Experience at Am Law 100 or leading search firms preferred.
Significant experience recruiting lateral partners and/or practice groups.
Strong understanding of partnership structures, compensation, profitability, conflicts, and mobility.
Proven ability to partner with executive stakeholders in consultative environments.
Discretion handling highly confidential information.
Established networks among law firm partners and recruiting agencies.
Combination of in-house and agency experience preferred.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
Able to work in a fast-paced, service-oriented setting with shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive lateral partner recruitment strategy aligned with growth priorities.
Drive full lifecycle recruitment for lateral partners and practice groups from mapping to onboarding.
Partner with leadership to identify strategic growth opportunities across markets.
Source and maintain relationships with high-performing partner candidates.
Build pipelines of prospective lateral partners and groups.
Monitor market trends, firm movements, and growth areas.
Advise leadership on market entry opportunities and practice expansions.
Analyze candidate books, client bases, profitability, and cultural fit.
Provide intelligence on competitors, compensation trends, and recruiting activity.
Lead candidate evaluation, conflicts, and transition planning; coordinate internal diligence.