Talent Acquisition Specialist, Law Students

UNKNOWN; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

McDermott Will & Schulte is seeking a Law Student Recruiting Specialist to execute the law school recruiting process and manage the summer associate program across assigned offices. You will collaborate with Talent Acquisition leadership, partners, and committees to develop strategies and oversee logistics.

The role requires 4+ years in recruiting (law firm preferred), strong ATS and MS Office skills, and exceptional organizational abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 4+ years of recruiting experience, preferably in law firms or professional services.
• Knowledge of applicant tracking systems.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with law school career services offices and student organizations at assigned feeder schools.
• Coordinate the Firm’s outreach activities throughout the year.
• Manage full-cycle 1L and 2L law student recruiting for assigned offices.
• Provide regular updates to internal stakeholders on recruiting progress.
• Plan and execute the 10-week summer associate program for assigned offices.
• Coordinate budgeting for summer program events and recruiting activities.
• Maintain the ATS, generate reports, and ensure data integrity.
• Analyze post-season recruiting reports and identify workflow improvements.
• Lead special projects and support process improvements for the team.
• Monitor market trends, NALP rules, and school recruiting policies.

Skills

Law student recruiting

ATS expertise

MS Office

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ATS software

Job description

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With us, you’ll find

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity – we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description

Summary

The Law Student Recruiting Specialist executes the law school student recruiting process and summer associate program for one or more assigned offices, under the supervision of the Talent Acquisition Manager, Law Students. This position coordinates with Talent Acquisition leadership, hiring partners, and recruiting committee members to develop and implement recruiting strategies, administer recruiting and summer program logistics, and attract top-tier talent.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with law school career services offices and student organizations at assigned key feeder schools.
• Coordinate the Firm’s participation in, and sponsorship of, outreach activities throughout the calendar year.
• Manage the full-cycle 1L and 2L law student recruiting process for assigned office(s), including coordinating with the law school, on campus interview logistics, creating interview schedules, gathering interviewer feedback, and facilitating the callback interview and offer process.
• Provide regular updates to internal stakeholders regarding recruiting progress and candidate pipelines.
• Plan and execute the full 10-week summer associate program for assigned office(s), including the work assignment and evaluation processes, events and other day-to-day logistics.
• Coordinate with Talent Acquisition leadership on budgeting for summer program events and recruiting activities.
• Maintain the applicant tracking system (ATS), generate reports, and ensure data integrity for all applicants and recruiting activities.
• Compile and analyze post-season recruiting reports and survey results; identify opportunities to enhance recruiting workflows.
• Contribute to firm-wide recruiting initiatives by leading special projects and supporting process improvements for the team.
• Keep apprised of market trends, NALP rules, and individual school recruiting policies.

Job Specifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least four (4) years of experience in law firm recruiting with a focus on law student recruiting and summer associate programs or four (4) to five (5) years of recruiting experience in a professional services organization
• Knowledge of applicant tracking systems
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines and ability to prioritize responsibilities effectively
• Ability to work efficiently both independently and collaboratively as a proactive and reliable team member
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment, and handle and maintain confidential information
• Ability to provide professional, responsive, and high-quality client service to both internal and external stakeholders
• Receptive to feedback and dedicated to ongoing professional development.
• Ability to travel and work flexible and/or fluctuating work hours during peak seasons, particularly May-August
• Ability to work in the office 4 days per week throughout the 10-week Summer Program (typically May – July)

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $120,000 - $145,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWS provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

#LI-JL1 #LI-Hybrid #LegalRecruiting #LLP #AmLaw100

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear
• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.