Director of Legal Training & Development

  • Location
    San Francisco, California
  • Contract Type
    Permanent
  • Posted
  • Start Date
    2024-11-18
  • Industry
    Professional services
  • Salary
    USD160000 - USD250000 per annum + bonus
  • Expiry Date
    2024-12-17

Our client is seeking a Director of Legal Training and Development to manage a team and oversee attorney training, development, curriculum, programs, continuing legal education (CLE), career development, and counseling. This position can be based in any of the U.S. office locations, with a hybrid work arrangement that allows employees to work both from home and at their designated office. The frequency of in-office work will be determined by business needs and guided by department directives.

Job Description

  • Develop, teach, and oversee firmwide initiatives focused on attorney learning, including programs aimed at professional development, client service skills, and other essential legal skills and competencies.
  • Measure and assess the relevance and impact of training, curriculum, and development programs, and adjust them as necessary to align with current and future needs while supporting the strategic goals of the firm.
  • Collaborate with firm management, practice group leaders, and attorneys to identify training needs, then determine the best methods for delivering and assessing the success of related programs.
  • Work closely with the training and development team, legal personnel, and practice management to collaborate with internal and external program presenters, enhance program delivery, maintain and update existing content, and introduce new learning opportunities.
  • Develop and execute programs that span the entire attorney lifecycle, ensuring these initiatives expand as needed and are offered at all levels.
  • Lead the ongoing evolution of the firm’s internal training programs, ensuring that the content reflects both the growth of the firm and the evolving legal talent landscape.
  • Oversee the attorney orientation, integration, and overall onboarding experience, managing a team that serves as a key point of contact for new hires during the onboarding process.
  • Manage the firm’s CLE compliance, tracking, and reporting across all offices, ensuring timely CLE accreditation in the states critical for compliance. Lead efforts related to attorney bar admissions and ongoing compliance.
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with external consultants, coaches, and speakers, and remain actively engaged with professional organizations, such as the Professional Development Consortium.
  • Stay abreast of trends and developments in talent development both within and outside the legal industry.
  • Oversee and enhance the firm’s mentoring and advisor programs, collaborating with legal personnel, practice management, recruiting, and diversity teams.
  • Lead efforts on effective onboarding for both first-year and lateral attorney hires, in partnership with legal personnel, practice management, and recruiting teams.
  • Partner with the business development team to support external training initiatives, as well as career development, connections, and transitions.
  • Assess e-learning opportunities and design e-learning programs based on the specific needs of practice groups.
  • Recruit, lead, and engage the training and development team to ensure effective implementation and execution of programs, events, and initiatives.
  • Manage and develop the professional skills of the training and development team.
  • Oversee the training and development budgeting process and manage related expenditures.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

  • Proven experience and knowledge in attorney professional development, including core competencies, adult learning principles, program design, and attorney career progression.
  • Strong passion for training and professional development, with a demonstrated track record in designing and implementing development programs.
  • Ability to deliver high-quality work while maintaining a client-service focus.
  • Proven experience in motivating and developing team dynamics and individual skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong diplomatic skills, effective listening abilities, and the ability to inspire confidence at all levels of the organization.
  • Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to work both independently and as a leader of a team.
  • Highly motivated, proactive self-starter who demonstrates ownership, initiative, and a strong work ethic.
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively and build strong relationships across various groups within the firm.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively under strict deadlines.
  • Sound judgment and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive matters.
  • Capacity to handle change and adapt in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

The firm works on a hybrid model with 3 days in office required

Reporting and Experience

The ideal candidate will have at least ten (10) years of relevant work experience directly in a law firm environment. A Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree such as a JD, MBA, or other relevant qualifications is strongly preferred.

If this opportunity aligns with your experience, please apply, referencing ID#SH/JN -102024-48972. Please note that our client is unable to provide visa sponsorship or relocation for this role.

The listed salary range serves as a guide and the salary offered within that range to the candidate selected will be based on experience, qualifications, and location.

The SR Group (US), Inc. is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Please note that your personal information will be treated in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Apply now



Upload your CV/resume or any other relevant file. Max. file size: 15 MB.

By submitting your personal information, you consent to Frazer Jones part of The SR Group storing and using the personal information you submit in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Frazer Jones will use the personal information you provide to contact you with relevant content including our salary surveys and market reports, career advice, hiring advice, market insights and industry updates and events. Our Privacy Policy sets out full details of how Frazer Jones may use your data. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time, by clicking on the link at the bottom of any email.