Associate Director of Legal Recruiting & Development, Asia
Job Location
Hong Kong
Description
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
alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial
and intellectual property litigation; 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 3,500 lawyers) operating from 20
offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we
are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.
Position Overview
As a member of the Legal Recruiting & Development Department
("LRD"), the Associate Director Legal Recruiting & Development
will report to the Director Legal Recruiting & Development
International. The role will manage the LRD team in the Asia offices.
The role will provide direction and implementation for attorney
recruiting and professional development at the local offices level
while executing FW initiatives and strategy. The position is highly
visible and responsible for a broad portfolio. This role will also be
charged with primary oversight and administration of the associate and
FLIC review process in the local offices, development programs,
diversity initiatives, women's leadership, attorney mentoring, and
alumni engagement as required. The position will collaborate with
other FW and local LRD departments to help develop and implement
initiatives locally (ex, Diversity, Pro Bono, Alumni Engagement,
CareerLink). Develop and/or lead change environment efforts across all
phases of projects and initiatives to drive the Firm's culture of
continuous improvement.
Essential Functions (This list is not exhaustive and
may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)
Attorney Lateral Recruitment
Build relationships with and work with partners on all aspects of
attorney recruiting - including advising on recruiting trends,
market trends and conditions.
Manage relationships with head-hunters and recruitment
consultancies and ensure that K&E standard terms and conditions
are signed.
Oversee receipt of resumes, review and ensure appropriate
offer/rejection/confirmation letters are sent out and ensuring all
FW approval processes are adhered to.
Manage attorney onboarding and offboarding.
Ensure all post offer processes are completed including conflicts
and background checks.
Oversee the relocation of attorneys, including liaison with
accommodation and relocation agencies and other documentation, as required.
Follow-up with candidate post-offer.
Maintain contact with future associates and assist in the planning
of their placement/arrival, accommodation related issues,
coordination of social events, allocation of rooms and mentors,
dealing with attorney-related expenses, etc.
Oversee induction and orientation of new attorneys.
Manage transfers and secondments to/from the Asia offices.
Oversee induction and orientation of new attorneys and relevant
firm policies.
Graduate Recruitment
Promote K&E through the coordination and attendance at
university law fairs, recruitment talks, office visits and
sponsorship events in Hong Kong and in the PRC. Help organize these
events and coordinate with attorneys/FLICs regarding presentation
preparation and on-site support.
Maintain a close dialogue with future candidates, ensuring that
they are kept up to date with firm information and the organization
of regular events.
Monitor what our competitors are doing in the marketplace and
continuously question our approach in order to make improvements to
the recruitment process.
Management of Foreign Legal Consultants (FLICs) and Internship Programs
Manage FLICs' matriculations following the FLIC policy/track.
Monitor general HR and performance issues.
Training and Development of Associates and Partners
Ensure the management of internal trainings, maintenance of
CPD/CLE records and requirements to ensure attorneys are compliant.
Organise the review process for all Asia associates and FLICs and
prepare appropriate materials and reports.
Coordinate attorney engagement activities including budget matters.
Support the Firm's diversity initiatives with designated
activities, programs and meetings, including implementing the firm's
strategic goals with regards to diversity.
Promote Alumni Engagement initiatives.
General Administration
Monitor and work within budgets for both recruitment and training
and development.
Build, sustain, navigate, and leverage effective working
relationships with individuals and groups at the Firm to advance and
support talent initiatives.
Ensure that our filing systems and candidate database are in
accordance with Data Protection rules and firm policy.
Keep up to date with legislation and Law Society policies and
procedures to ensure that we are acting lawfully.
Collaborate with senior leadership on firm initiatives.
Organize all LRD related events.
Manage, train and coach LRD team.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education, Work Experience, Skills
A bachelor's or a law degree and a minimum of 10+ years of
experience, preferably in a law firm or professional services setting.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and
Cantonese or Mandarin.
Knowledge of Hong Kong Law Society rules is preferred.
Ability to prioritize work and work on multiple projects in a fast
paced environment.
Be a team player; demonstrate strong client service and ability to
work independently and be able to follow up with minimal instructions
