Attorney Development Manager

Overview

Cleary Gottlieb is a pioneer in globalizing the legal profession. Since 1946, we have operated as a single integrated global partnership across major financial centres worldwide, rather than as a firm with a network of separate overseas offices. Our founders believed that excellence is best achieved when people cooperate rather than compete, and that belief still shapes how lawyers and professional staff work together across practices, functions and geographies today. We are guided by a shared purpose, communicate with transparency and integrity, and strive for excellence in everything we do. Every member of our professional staff brings intellectual agility, sound judgment, and a human touch to their work, whether supporting a client matter directly or supporting the colleagues who do, and we take pride in doing our best work as one team.  

The Attorney Development Manager oversees a broad range of talent initiatives for the firm’s U.S. litigation practice. Responsibilities include working with practice group leaders and staffing and talent partners to help attorneys reach their full potential; partnering with the Inclusion & Culture team to promote senior leadership accountability for a diverse talent pipeline; overseeing a robust performance review process; participating in strategic workforce planning; and collaborating with other Talent teams on key initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Consult with litigation practice group leaders and partners to understand business goals and propose, support, and implement initiatives that advance those goals through the holistic development of associate talent.
• Meet individually with associates to coach, advise, and support them in their roles, particularly with respect to professional development, productivity, interpersonal dynamics, and well-being.
• Collaborate with the litigation staffing team to share insights into associates’ developmental goals, productivity, and capacity, supporting attorney development, practice group business goals, and the equitable distribution of work. Provide staffing support or coverage as needed.
• Track, aggregate, and analyze attorney metrics, including capacity information and utilization rates, to help practice group leaders and partners achieve the group’s business goals.
• Implement all associate evaluation processes for the litigation practice group. Independently consult with partners on associate evaluations and identify and propose effective strategies to address associate performance.
• Partner with practice group leaders and other partners to ensure attorneys receive clear, actionable feedback and establish clear performance objectives.
• Collaborate with the Chief Talent Officer to evaluate, enhance, and adapt talent development initiatives for effective implementation within the litigation practice group.
• Help embed talent strategies within each practice group to support associates’ professional success and well-being, including mentoring relationships, training programs, and coaching.
• Collaborate with practice group leaders and various committees on workforce planning, capacity projections, and target setting.

General:

• Liaise with the Attorney Development team, partners, and various committees.
• Prepare reports, analyze data, and present findings to practice group leaders.
• Provide practice group leaders with perspectives and recommendations informed by professional expertise to support efficient decision-making and progress.
• Lead improvements in the maintenance and use of associate data to support associate development.
• Stay informed about developments in other practice groups and across the firm, and identify information relevant to practice group leaders.
• Undertake other ad hoc projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Juris Doctor degree preferred.
• At least three years of relevant law firm experience, including significant experience in litigation.
• Experience influencing and working closely with executive-level leaders.
• Ability to protect and maintain highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to think strategically while maintaining a strong grasp of both broader objectives and details.
• Excellent managerial and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of financial concepts, strong numeracy skills, and comfort analyzing data and metrics.
• Ability to prioritize competing workstreams and deliver accurate, high-quality results in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; knowledge of viDesktop is a plus.
• Flexibility to work outside regular business hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
• Independently Productive: Creates, drives, and completes work without ongoing oversight.
• Strong Communication Skills: Conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally in writing, presentations, and verbal communications with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Strong Client/Stakeholder Service Orientation: Is responsive and reliable, with a commitment to high standards of service and follow-through.
• Sound Judgment: Identifies risks and issues, exercises discretion, and escalates concerns appropriately.
• Effective Collaborator: Builds productive working relationships across teams and influences outcomes without positional authority.
• Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Proactively seeks opportunities to improve ways of working, including through the adoption of new tools and technology.
• Professional Development: Takes ownership of professional growth, seeks feedback, and pursues learning and development opportunities.
• Integrity and Respect: Treats colleagues and clients with respect, dignity, and understanding; upholds the firm's standards of inclusion and culture; and helps foster a community where every voice is heard, valued, and respected.

*The estimated base salary range for this position is $200,000 to $215,000 at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of job-related factors, including skills, education, training, credentials, experience, the scope and complexity of the role’s responsibilities, geographic location, and performance. This role is exempt, meaning it is not eligible for overtime pay.

*Cleary provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health care benefits. More information can be found here: Benefits

*We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination based on any category protected by law. Cleary provides reasonable accommodations to enable otherwise qualified employees to perform the essential functions of their positions, provided the accommodation does not pose an undue hardship to the firm.

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