Partner Recruiting Lead – Direct Hiring

Sterlington, PLLC; Johannesburg; Remote; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Part time

Job summary

A global law firm is seeking a Senior Legal Recruiter to lead recruitment efforts for lateral partners across the U.S. This remote role involves designing sourcing strategies, managing recruitment processes, and fostering relationships within the legal community. Ideal candidates should have a successful track record in recruiting, deep knowledge of the U.S. legal market, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of successfully recruiting lateral partners at U.S. law firms.
• Demonstrated ability to build and leverage professional networks within the legal industry.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently in a global, remote-first setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end recruitment for lateral partner hires across U.S. practice areas.
• Develop targeted sourcing strategies to engage partner-level candidates.
• Manage negotiation and due diligence processes with professionalism.

Skills

Recruiting lateral partners

Understanding of the U.S. legal market

Building professional networks

Strong communication and negotiation skills

Self-starter in remote settings

Tools

ATS systems (Greenhouse)

Recruitment tools

Job description

Reports to: Manager, Talent Acquisition Department: People – SPSC Division Location: Remote (Global) Type: Independent Contractor

About Sterlington

Sterlington is a full-service law firm that combines legal and commercial excellence with modern ways of practicing. Our high-caliber partners work on complex business matters with a tailored approach to client service and a focus on financial flexibility and innovation.

We are the ultimate law firm for private clients, private capital, senior executives, founders, HNWIs and family offices, as well as related businesses, in both corporate and litigation matters. We take a commercial and holistic approach to the legal and business needs of our clients.

The Opportunity

We’re seeking a senior legal recruiter to lead our direct-hiring efforts for lateral partners across the United States. This role is pivotal to our business growth, directly impacting revenue through the acquisition of high-performing partners who expand our market reach and client portfolio.

As our Partner Recruiting Lead, you’ll act as a trusted advisor to firm leadership — designing sourcing strategies, building deep market relationships, and managing complex, high-value recruitment processes with discretion and precision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end recruitment for lateral partner hires across practice areas and jurisdictions in the U.S.
• Develop and execute targeted sourcing strategies to engage both passive and active partner-level candidates.
• Build and maintain a strong network of senior legal professionals, leveraging industry connections and market insights.
• Manage referral candidates with white glove care.
• Collaborate closely with firm leadership to understand practice group priorities, business goals, and talent needs.
• Assess candidates’ portable business, client relationships, and cultural alignment with the Sterlington model.
• Manage negotiation and due diligence processes with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Deliver timely, data-driven pipeline reporting and provide strategic market feedback.
• Ensure an exceptional candidate experience at every stage of the process.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven track record of successfully recruiting lateral partners at U.S. law firms.
• Deep understanding of the U.S. legal market, including practice area dynamics, compensation structures, and competitive landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to build and leverage professional networks within the legal industry.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and candidates.
• Track record of meeting or exceeding recruitment goals tied to business growth.
• Strong communication, discretion, and negotiation skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently in a global, remote-first setting.
• Experience with ATS systems (preferably Greenhouse) and recruitment tools.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Delivering high-quality partner hires that directly drive firm revenue and strategic expansion.
• Maintaining a healthy, forward-looking pipeline across priority practice areas.
• Building credibility as a trusted advisor to partners, leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Enhance the firm's reputation and visibility within the legal market, positioning Sterlington as an employer of choice for high-performing partners seeking a progressive, modern, and results-driven work environment.