Director of Legal Training and Development

Job Description:

Job Description:

• Develop, teach, and monitor learning-focused firmwide and practice-group initiatives for attorneys, including programs for the development of professional and client services skills, as well as technical, substantive, and practice-specific legal skills and competencies.
• Measure and assess training, curriculum, and development programs for relevancy and impact, and sustain, modify, or replace as appropriate based on current and future needs and consistent with the firm’s strategic objectives.
• Partner with and form strong trusted advisor relationships with firm management, practice group leaders, and other attorneys to identify training and program needs and determine appropriate means to deliver and assess the success of related programs.
• Work with the training and development team, legal personnel, and practice management to collaborate with internal and external program presenters, provide advice and guidance to uplevel our program delivery, as well as maintain and update existing content and introduce new learning opportunities.
• Develop, execute, and expand as needed, programs offered at all levels within the attorney life cycle.
• Direct the continued evolution and delivery of University programs, ensuring that the programming and content each year reflects the continued evolution of the firm and legal talent
• Create and manage attorney orientation, integration, and overall onboarding experience. Managing team to be valuable points of contact for all new hires during their onboarding process.
• Manage all firm CLE compliance, tracking, and reporting firmwide. Obtain state CLE accreditation in states most critical to firm compliance. Lead efforts on attorney bar admissions and continued compliance.
• Maintain and nurture existing and potential relationships with external consultants, coaches, and speakers, as well as maintain active involvement with appropriate professional organizations, including the Professional Development Consortium.
• Maintain networks and in-depth knowledge of trends and developments in the talent development field both within and outside the legal industry.
• Oversee and enhance the firm’s mentor and advisor programs in collaboration with legal personnel, practice management, recruiting, and diversity teams.
• Ownership of all onboarding with legal personnel, practice management, and recruiting to implement effective onboarding of first-year and lateral attorney hires.
• Collaborate with the business development team, including with client and alumni networks, to support external training offerings, as well as career development, connections, and transitions.
• Assess e-learning opportunities and build e-learning programs based on practice group needs.
• Recruit, lead, and engage the training and development team in the effective implementation and execution of programs, events, and initiatives.
• Manage and develop the professional skills of the training and development team.
• Manage and oversee training and development budgeting process and expenditures.

Job Requirements:

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant work experience in a law firm setting. Former experience in big law as an associate, particularly as a corporate associate would be relevant for this position. Juris Doctorate required.

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience and knowledge of attorney professional development, including core competencies, adult learning concepts, program design, and attorney career progression.
• Strong interest in training and professional development and a demonstrated track record designing and implementing professional development programs.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work while maintaining a client service focus.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and develop team skills and dynamics.
• Must have strong written and oral communication skills, proven experience in diplomacy and effective listening skills, and ability to inspire confidence of attorneys and staff at all levels.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work well both independently and while leading a team.
• Highly motivated, proactive self-starter who demonstrates ownership, commitment to the job, initiative, and strong work ethic.
• Proven collaboration skills and ability to build strong relationships across attorney populations and staff professionals.
• Ability to multi-task and deal with stringent deadlines.
• Demonstrated good judgment and discretion as to confidential and sensitive matters.
• Ability to deal effectively with change in fast-paced and changing environments.