Ballard Spahr LLP

Director of Partner Recruiting

Ballard Spahr LLP

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Seattle • District of Columbia • Minnesota • United States

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Salary

💰 $180,000 - $225,000 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Partner with firm leadership to drive lateral partner recruiting, practice acquisitions, mergers, and succession planning aligned with the firm’s strategic growth priorities.
  • Assess potential combinations based on cultural fit, geographic strategy, market opportunity, and practice synergies.
  • Define hiring priorities and execute recruiting strategies in close collaboration with Department Chairs and Practice Group Leaders.
  • Lead the full lateral partner recruiting lifecycle-from sourcing and evaluation through interviews, offers, and closing.
  • Position and market the firm to lateral candidates, partner groups, and search firms in collaboration with Marketing and Business Development.
  • Develop business cases, compensation structures, and pro forma financial analyses for leadership and Board review.
  • Manage rigorous due diligence processes, including conflicts, risk analysis, and regulatory/insurance notifications.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for candidates, search firms, and internal stakeholders, ensuring high-touch experience.
  • Support onboarding and integration of lateral partners and groups, including client transitions and cross‑practice synergies.
  • Track and report on recruiting metrics, market trends, and budget performance for firm leadership.

Requirements

  • 10+ years of law firm recruiting experience with a focus on lateral partner and group placements.
  • Bachelor’s degree required; JD preferred.
  • Demonstrated success influencing and aligning with firm leadership in lateral recruiting efforts.
  • Strong leadership, relationship-building, and communication skills.
  • Experience managing confidential matters with integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
  • Ability to work extended hours as required to support strategic recruiting initiatives.
  • Proficiency with legal recruiting systems, document management platforms, and core business technology, including but not limited to MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, NetDocuments, Elite, and other practice/functional area databases, as appropriate.
Benefits
  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Health savings accounts
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Short and long-term disability
  • 401(k)-retirement savings plan
  • Paid time off
  • Sick leave
  • Paid holidays
  • Employee assistance program
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
lateral partner recruitingpractice acquisitionsmergerssuccession planningrecruiting strategiesdue diligence processescompensation structuresfinancial analysesconfidential matters managementrecruiting metrics tracking
Soft Skills
leadershiprelationship-buildingcommunicationinfluencingintegritydiscretionprofessionalismhigh-touch experiencecollaborationstrategic thinking
Certifications
Bachelor's degreeJD