Lateral Partner and Counsel Recruiting Specialist

Cleary Gottlieb is a pioneer in globalizing the legal profession. We have 16 offices in major financial centers around the world, but we operate as a single, integrated global partnership and not a U.S. firm with a network of overseas locations. The firm employs approximately 1,100 lawyers from more than 50 countries.

Since 1946 our lawyers and staff have worked across practices, industries, jurisdictions and continents to provide clients with simple, actionable approaches to their most complex legal and business challenges, whether domestic or international. We support every client relationship with intellectual agility, commercial acumen and a human touch.

As a member of the lateral and partner recruiting team, the Lateral Partner and Counsel Recruiting Specialist is responsible for driving the firm’s partner and counsel recruiting processes globally and for providing a positive and consistent experience for candidates and key stakeholders. This position works closely on ongoing and new lateral partner and counsel searches with the Manager of Lateral Partner & Counsel Recruiting, the Lateral Partner Subcommittee, the Chief of Staff and, from time to time, members of the Firm’s Executive Committee and Practice Group Leaders and is responsible for determining and implementing strategies related to the Firm’s lateral partner and counsel hiring goals. The Lateral Partner and Counsel Recruiting Specialist must be able to operate independently, demonstrate sound judgment, ensure confidentiality, and maintain a professional demeanor in all interactions with internal and external contacts on all levels.

• Develop and maintain relationships with our trusted recruiters and legal search firms, and independently identify new recruiting and legal search firm relationships
• Identify and develop plans and protocols for implementing the Firm’s lateral partner and counsel-related goals
• Review, circulate and follow up on solicited and unsolicited recruiter inbounds (inc. processing, tracking and filing submissions in ViRecruit)
• Conduct initial review of candidate lists for prior submissions/contact, and pull together exclusion lists for searches
• Attend recruiter meetings, including acting as sole recruiting team representative as necessary
• Assist in following up with recruiters for candidate availability, feedback on meetings, preparation and submission of candidate LPQs, etc.; determine appropriate feedback to share with the Lateral Partner Subcommittee and others
• Conduct market research independently and with the firm’s business intelligence team to conduct market research and obtain competitive intelligence in order to proactively build candidate pipeline in support of lateral hiring priorities and strategic growth plan
• Determine which marketplace intelligence information should be maintained by the Firm with respect to lateral partner and counsel hiring; develop and maintain that market intelligence
• Identify and recommend improvements on the lateral hiring process
• Work closely with the Legal HR team and Lateral Partner & Counsel Recruiting Manager on lateral Counsel hiring process
• Draft weekly and bi-weekly updates specific to practice groups and/or office locations
• Maintain accurate data tracking across various platforms including internal spreadsheets, iManage, and ViRecruitCollaborate with various Firm members in other offices to support the lateral partner and counsel hiring process and objectives of the Firm
• Other projects/tasks as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Five years of recruiting experience required, preferably in a law firm or professional services setting, and strong administrative background
• Solid knowledge of MS Word and MS Excel required. Skills in viRecruit, Leopard Solutions and other legal data bases a plus
• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, reliable, and efficient at multi-tasking and prioritizing projects
• Strong time management skills and ability to handle time sensitive projects
• Must have flexibility in work hours to meet operating needs
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with strong interpersonal skills
• Strong work ethic and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to work well with internal and external clients

The estimated base salary for this position is $120,000- $130,000 at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of job-related factors, including skills, education, training, credentials, experience, scope and complexity of role responsibilities, geographic location, and performance. This role is exempt meaning that it is not overtime pay eligible.

Cleary provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health care benefits. More information can be found here: Benefits

At Cleary Gottlieb, all members of our community deserve respect as individuals and appreciation for the contributions they make to our community. We champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, and creating equal opportunities to develop and succeed.