Attorney Engagement Manager

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we are united in our ambition and drive to move forward. We share core values that help us achieve excellence: collaboration, talent empowerment, service, inclusion, respect and gratitude. Our people are our greatest asset, and we invest in the brightest talent and encourage a diversity of perspectives and strengths to create dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their field. Our talented professionals show up every day knowing they will engage in meaningful work, continuous learning and professional development.

As one of the world’s leading law firms, we serve a broad range of clients with market-leading practices in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and management; restructurings; high-stakes litigation and trials; and government, regulatory and internal investigations. We handle the most complicated and sophisticated legal matters because we don’t just meet industry standards, we create them. We bring innovation and entrepreneurialism to every engagement and, as a result, have long-standing client relationships with leading global corporations and financial sponsors. With 6,500 employees (including 3,000+ lawyers) operating from 18 offices across the United States, Europe and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

As a member of the Firmwide (FW) Legal Recruiting and Development (LRD) Department, the Attorney Engagement Manager will support the vision set by Firm leadership for all attorney engagement activities in the Bay Area and Salt Lake City offices. The Manager will provide support for the processes, programming and overall functioning of the engagement channel with the goal of creating an irresistible, best-in-class workplace for the Firm’s attorneys.

The position will closely collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting and local leadership to implement and advance various initiatives related to (i) attorney onboarding, (ii) attorney workflow integration, (iii) morale, retention and employee engagement, (iv) attorney mentoring, (v) affinity group events and programming and all diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) activities, (vi) attorney wellness check-ins, (vii) Associates Committee and (viii) exit interviews.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Drive the development and execution of attorney engagement initiatives designed to create an irresistible workplace. Develop and implement a standard of excellence around attorney morale and retention initiatives.
• Administer and maintain engagement policies, operational procedures and practices consistent with the goals and objectives of the Firm and the office.
• Drive new hire and lateral integration programs to effectively integrate and appropriately support new attorneys. Assist new attorney hires with social and workflow integration and help them navigate and acclimate to the Kirkland open assignment system. Assist with attorney onboarding and orientation, including 30-, 60- and 90-day check-ins.
• In collaboration with the Firmwide Director of Wellbeing and Bay Area Director of Legal Recruiting, develop and execute against a strategic wellness check-in plan with associates to address matters of concern and minimize attrition.
• Monitor attorney utilization rates and collaborate with associates and partners to ensure appropriate workflow and professional development opportunities. Assist with intra- and inter-office requests for associate staffing. 
• Liaise with and support local Diversity Committee and affinity groups, including WLI. Facilitate local DEI initiatives, annual programming and events in collaboration with FW Diversity & Inclusion, local Diversity Committee and affinity groups.
• Assist with the planning and execution of the office’s summer associate program, including social programs, surveys, and evaluations.
• Liaise with and support local Associates Committee.
• Administer and maintain a robust internal mentoring program.
• Provide logistical support for engagement events and programs. Track engagement events and initiatives.
• Assist with exit interviews and data collection, including year-end reporting.

Qualifications & Requirements

  •     Bachelor's degree required. Minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in similar setting, law firm or professional services strongly preferred

•     Candidates must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, project management, analytical skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

•     Skilled in getting things done and overcoming obstacles to reach the goal

•     The ability to work effectively with all levels of management, and across all Kirkland departments and offices, is required

•     Proven leadership skills

•     Excellent communication skills

•     Excellent judgment

•     Creative and innovative

•     Responsible and responsive

•     Team oriented

•     Committed to attorney attraction, retention and development as well as keeping abreast of market trends and new programs

•     Demonstrated high level of project management skills

•     High level of confidentiality

•     Proven ability to effectively work with senior level professionals and Partners

•     Documenting medium to large scale projects with minimal supervision; will be involved in developing/delivering presentations

Technologies/Software

Technical experience should include the Microsoft Office Suite; Proficiency in Excel required.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Closing Statement

The www.kirkland.com job postings and recruiting mailbox are for candidates only. If you are a recruiter, search firm or employment agency, and do not have a signed contract with Kirkland & Ellis LLP ("K&E") and have not been asked specifically to submit candidates, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if K&E hires the candidate. Direct contact with K&E employees in an attempt to present candidates is inappropriate and will be a factor in determining any future professional relationship with the Firm.