Legal Recruiting Manager

October 12, 2026
Washington, DC, US
$140,000 – $165,000/yr
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Position summary

This position is responsible for the direction, coordination and overall management of lateral associate and law student recruiting, including but not limited to: recruitment and integration of lateral lawyers, management of the campus recruitment process, summer associate program, and new associate program in the Washington, D.C., Tysons, VA, and Richmond, VA offices. Also responsible for attorney integration, mentor program, and various related talent management duties.

Job duties and responsibilities

  • Exercises independent judgment in day-to-day and local strategic decisions.
  • Sets clear direction for the recruiting function, balancing local office needs with firmwide priorities and championing a one-firm approach to ensure consistent standards and unified execution.
  • Engages in substantive discussions about the business of law including realization, utilization, write-downs, and write-offs to inform recruiting strategy.
  • Coaches, develops, and mentors junior team members; provides constructive feedback with confidence and effectiveness.
  • Coordinates with recruiting managers across the firm's markets to share best practices and drive the strategic development of recruiting and summer programs.
  • Maintains a strong working knowledge of the legal market, including peer firms, hiring trends, and reputable search firms; develops reports and projections on market trends and retention for team leadership.
  • Cultivates peer networks at other law firms for benchmarking; maintains professional visibility through speaking engagements, NALP membership, and participation in conferences, professional organizations and local city groups.
  • Interacts regularly with partners, Department Heads, Practice Leaders, Office Managing Partners, and other senior members.
  • Serves as the primary contact with legal search firms, NALP, local recruiting associations, and other outside organizations involved in the recruiting process.
  • Partners with the Assistant Directors of Entry-Level Legal Recruiting and Assistant Director of Lateral Partner Recruiting, Department Heads, Practice Leaders, and Office Managing Partners to identify and attract lateral candidates.
  • Manages the full lateral hiring lifecycle, including prescreening applications, due diligence, approvals, offers, onboarding, and integration while maintaining accurate records in ViRecruit.
  • Designs, implements, and oversees all components of the summer associate program, including on-campus and callback interviews, orientation, training, work assignments, social and educational events, mentoring, and evaluations.
  • Counsels summer associates on firm policies and procedures; follows up with assigning attorneys for timely feedback.
  • Prescreens all law student applications and coordinates law school recruiting efforts, including receptions and targeted outreach with the hiring partner and summer chair.
  • Manages new associate pre-employment correspondence, bar application communications and reimbursements, mentor pairings, and onboarding logistics in coordination with the firmwide recruiting team.
  • Sets and manages budgets for all relevant cost centers.
  • Reviews application materials to assess candidate qualifications against practice needs.
  • Identifies and implements process improvements to streamline internal recruiting procedures.
  • Participates in HR, Recruiting, Summer Associate Committee, and firmwide attorney meetings as scheduled.
  • Ability to travel for meetings and training as required.
  • Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree is strongly preferred.

Experience:A minimum of five years of management-level recruiting experience in a law firm and prior supervisory experience is strongly preferred. Should have a demonstrated understanding of current law firm industry, market trends and philosophies.

Skills

Strong leadership, management and organizational skills. Requires excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills, good judgment, a professional demeanor and the ability to provide an excellent first impression of the Firm. Must work well with all levels of Firm personnel and establish effective working relationships throughout the Firm. Must be highly motivated, creative, flexible and results-oriented and have the ability to prioritize appropriately. Must value the importance of the candidate experience and keep candidates informed and engaged. Ability to work under pressure and handle stressful situations with composure and resilience in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Additional information

Supervisory responsibilities: May supervise the Legal Recruiting Coordinator/Specialist and any recruiting administrative support staff.

Equipment used: Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, copier, scanner, etc.

Essential job functions

  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks requiring prolonged and/or extensive computer use.
  • Ability to use computers, telecommunications, and digital collaboration tools to perform core job responsibilities.
  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Ability to maintain attention to detail while analyzing complex information, managing multiple priorities, and applying sound judgment to strategic decisions.
  • Ability to access, use, and safeguard confidential and sensitive information while performing job responsibilities in work environments that support confidentiality, privacy, and information security requirements.
  • Travel for meetings and training as required.
  • Ability to work extended hours as required to meet project, client, or business needs.

Working conditions

You will be required to work in the office at minimum 4 days per week. Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor.

Pay ranges

This represents the presently anticipated low and high end of Reed Smith's pay range for this position. Actual pay may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location and experience.

Washington, DC: $140,000 - $165,000

Employee benefits overview

Our comprehensive benefits package includes

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Medical Insurance
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Virtual Health Services
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Short-Term Disability Coverage
  • Long-Term Disability Coverage
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Lyra Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Paid Family Leave (for eligible Exempt and Non-Exempt staff)
  • Transportation Benefit
  • Back-up Child Care Services
  • College Coach Program
  • Pet Insurance
  • Paid Sick Time (for Exempt staff)
  • Paid Time Off (available to all full-time, non-temporary employees)

Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401(k) plan.

Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer with Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork & Respect, Innovation, and Impact. Reed Smith also provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with law, including in the application and interview process.

Qualified candidates only. No search firms.