Open Positions: Professional Staff

The Director of Recruiting will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy for attorneys and professional staff, aligning recruitment efforts with the firm’s growth objectives and talent needs. This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the legal industry and a proven track record in recruitment. This role is crucial for driving growth and maintaining the firm's reputation as a premier employer in the legal industry. This position requires the individual reside in California, and will have a designation to Hanson Bridgett’s San Francisco or Los Angeles offices.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with Section Leaders, Department Heads, and Executive Leadership to shape long-term recruiting strategies aligned with the firm’s strategic goals.
• Lead the integration of staff recruitment into the firm’s broader talent acquisition framework, ensuring that both attorney and staff hiring meets the firm’s evolving needs.
• Anticipate future hiring demands and implement proactive recruitment strategies to meet the firm’s staffing goals across all levels, including attorneys, administrative professionals, and specialized roles.
• Foster strategic relationships with external search firms, recruitment networks, and industry leaders to position the firm as a preferred employer in competitive markets.

Attorney Recruitment

• Lead the Strategic Growth and Lateral Partner Recruiting Committee, driving the strategic identification and recruitment of high-value lateral partners, and ensuring alignment with the firm’s growth objectives and culture.
• Manages all aspects of the lateral partner hiring process, including performing department/practice group specific needs assessments; engaging appropriate search firms; identifying partner candidates and appropriately vetting them; facilitating strategy meetings and calls with Section and Practice Group leadership.
• Develops and manages relationships with preferred search firms to promote the Firm and lateral opportunities; works with Practice Groups and Marketing to develop lateral recruitment collateral for search firms and candidates.
• Collaborate with Professional Development and Section and/or Practice Group Leaders to facilitate seamless integration for lateral hires and support their long-term success.

Professional Staff Recruitment

• Oversee the professional staff recruitment efforts, working closely with department heads to identify and address hiring needs in alignment with business goals.

Team Management

• Oversee and mentor the recruiting team, providing strategic direction and support for recruiting prioritization.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on results, collaboration, and innovation in recruitment practices.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• In collaboration with the DEI team, execute DEI recruitment initiatives, ensuring alignment with the firm’s DEI goals and compliance with standards such as the Mansfield Rule.
• Work closely with the DEI team and firm leadership to implement programs that enhance diverse candidate pipelines and foster an inclusive hiring environment.

Recruitment Data and Trends

• Analyze internal and external recruitment data to identify trends, forecast hiring needs, and provide strategic insights to firm leadership.
• Monitor industry trends, including compensation, offer structures, and market demand, to ensure the firm remains competitive.

Employer Branding

• Enhance the firm's reputation as an employer of choice by collaborating with industry associations, law schools and professional organizations to increase visibility and promote the firm as a top employer in key talent pools.
• In collaboration and partnership with HR, design and optimize a best-in-class candidate journey from initial engagement through to onboarding, ensuring that every touchpoint reflects the employer brand and fosters a positive experience.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage the recruiting budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to support recruitment goals and events.

Required Skills, Abilities, and Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in recruiting, preferably within a professional services or law firm environment. 5+ years of management experience.
• Bachelor's degree. A JD or advanced degree is a plus.
• Proven experience in developing, implementing, and iterating a strategic talent acquisition plan(s) that aligns to a firm's overall strategic plan.
• Strong leadership capabilities with an ability to influence and build trust across all levels of the firm.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and talent strategy.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with firm leadership, candidates, and external partners.
• Proficient in applicant tracking systems and recruitment software.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with metrics-driven decision-making.

Salary

Hanson Bridgett offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The annual salary for this California-based role is anticipated to be in the area of $250,000 - $290,000, and represents the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation is negotiable, and will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.

This position provides advanced administrative and legal support to a team of attorneys specializing in labor and employment law. This role requires a proactive individual with the ability to manage multiple tasks, anticipate needs and maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.

This role offers the opportunity to work from a remote location on days when in-person attendance is not required, and as agreed upon by the direct supervisor and assigned attorneys. It is an essential function of any remote role that the employee be available to attend in-person meetings, professional development sessions or to come to the office for other reasons, if the need arises. This role is based in our Los Angeles office.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide comprehensive administrative and legal support to attorneys and paralegals in the Labor and Employment practice group.
• Prepare, proofread, format, and finalize legal documents, including pleadings, discovery materials, and correspondence, ensuring accuracy and adherence to deadlines.
• Manage attorney calendars efficiently, schedule client meetings, court appearances, and coordinate complex travel arrangements.
• Handle the filing and e-filing of legal documents in both federal and state courts, ensuring compliance with court requirements.
• Maintain, organize, and update case files, ensuring all documents are properly categorized and filed in a timely manner.
• Monitor and track deadlines, ensuring attorneys are fully prepared for court appearances, hearings, and depositions.
• Assist with billing processes, including time entry and tracking, and submission of attorney hours.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for incoming calls, emails, and correspondence, managing communications on behalf of attorneys.
• Manage client interactions professionally, maintaining strict confidentiality and delivering exceptional client service.
• Prepare high-quality PowerPoint presentations, Excel reports, and other supporting materials for client meetings and internal use.
• Provide support on special projects, research assignments, and additional administrative tasks as requested.

Required Skills, Abilities and Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years of legal secretarial experience, preferably within labor and employment law or a related practice area.
• Expert knowledge of legal terminology, court rules, and procedures, with a focus on California law, including local, state, and federal courts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and legal technology platforms, such as document management systems, e-filing platforms, and billing software.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities, tasks, and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, demonstrating excellent grammar, attention to detail, and the ability to craft clear, concise correspondence and documents.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while also being a collaborative team player when required.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and adaptability, with a high level of initiative in handling complex or unexpected tasks.
• Uphold a high degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion when dealing with sensitive information or high-profile cases.
• Flexibility to work overtime or adjust hours as necessary to meet business needs, particularly during critical deadlines or case preparation.

Salary

Hanson Bridgett offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The annual salary for this California-based role is anticipated to be in the area of $85,000.00 – $105,000.00, and represents the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation is negotiable, and will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.