Attorney Development Manager - Real Estate

Goodwin Procter•Boston, MA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Goodwin's Global Operations Team is seeking an Attorney Development Manager (ADM) to drive development and engagement for associates and other timekeepers. The ADM will act as a strategic advisor, managing individual attorney development, aligning progress with firm goals, and fostering an environment of elite performance. This role involves close partnership with firm leadership, practice groups, and other internal teams to facilitate hiring, integration, development, engagement, and advancement strategies. The position combines market expertise and data-driven insights to build a high-performing, inclusive legal workforce. Key responsibilities include managing attorney cohort development, leading the onboarding and integration experience, fostering strong relationships through coaching and support, and ensuring retention objectives are met. The ADM will also work with matter teams to align attorney skills with client work and firm priorities, ensuring meaningful assignments and optimizing resource allocation. This includes identifying and aligning talent with secondment opportunities. In development and performance management, the ADM will gather and synthesize feedback to inform development plans and career progression, promote firm programs, and support review processes. They will facilitate self-assessment and goal-setting, guide attorneys in aligning professional development with firm competencies, and co-lead review meetings for attorneys receiving significant developmental feedback. Collaboration with advisors and Employee Relations will address performance issues, and the ADM will facilitate smooth transitions from the firm. Strategic and advisory support involves identifying trends, addressing attorney concerns, and developing strategies for hiring, onboarding, retention, advancement, and development. This includes partnering with Recruiting and Practice Management to assess hiring needs, using data to identify development gaps, and forecasting talent needs. The ADM will also shape role definitions, refine selection criteria, screen candidates, and make data-informed recommendations. Management of the Advisor Program ensures consistent guidance and mentorship. Training needs will be anticipated, and the ADM will collaborate with relevant teams to deliver targeted programming and create individual learning plans. The role also involves leading or supporting firm initiatives to clarify career paths and professional growth. Cross-functional collaboration, innovation, and engagement are key, working closely with Talent, Practice Management, and others to improve talent programs. The ADM will lead initiatives promoting attorney engagement, inclusion, and belonging, and foster a positive culture by driving participation in firm trainings and events. Policy awareness and compliance will be facilitated by emphasizing the strategic relevance of firm policies.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree strongly preferred, with a solid foundation in legal principles and practices.
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, ideally within a large law firm setting.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication acumen.
Ability to cultivate relationships, influence key stakeholders, and drive strategic initiatives at all organizational levels.
Results-oriented and inclusive working style.
Desire for continuous improvement.
Unwavering discretion and sound judgment, safeguarding highly confidential and sensitive information.
Exemplary organizational capabilities.
Ability to seamlessly manage multiple high-priority projects while maintaining focus on key objectives.
Facile with and champions use of data, technology platforms, and AI tools to modernize workflows, elevate communication, and generates actionable insights.

Nice To Haves

Experience in legal staffing, workforce planning, or attorney development within a comparable legal or professional services environment is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day development, performance, and engagement for assigned attorneys.
Lead the Attorney onboarding and integration experience.
Foster strong, trusted relationships with attorneys through regular check-ins and career coaching.
Align attorney skills and interests with client work and firm priorities, ensuring meaningful assignments.
Enable well-informed staffing decisions that optimize capacity and ensure access to learning opportunities.
Track assignment requests and ensure attorneys uphold high service standards.
Identify and align talent with secondment opportunities with key clients.
Proactively gather and synthesize feedback from partners and stakeholders to inform development plans and performance evaluations.
Promote awareness of firm programs and resources.
Support the firm’s annual and mid-year review processes.
Facilitate bi-annual self-assessment and goal-setting processes.
Co-lead review meetings for attorneys receiving significant developmental feedback.
Collaborate with advisors, attorney development committees, and Employee Relations to address performance issues.
Facilitate smooth and professional transitions from the firm.
Identify trends, address attorney concerns, and develop strategies for hiring, onboarding, retention, advancement, and development.
Partner with Recruiting and Practice Management to assess and anticipate hiring needs.
Shape role definitions, refine selection criteria, screen candidates, and deliver data-informed recommendations to leadership.
Manage the Advisor Program to ensure consistent, high-quality guidance, feedback, and mentorship.
Anticipate training needs and collaborate to deliver targeted programming and create individual learning plans.
Lead, shape, or support key firm initiatives to clarify career paths and support professional growth.
Work closely with Talent, Practice Management, and others to continuously improve talent programs, policies, and processes.
Lead initiatives that promote attorney engagement, inclusion, and belonging.
Foster a positive, collaborative culture within the cohort and broader firm community.
Proactively address engagement concerns with attorneys and their advisors.
Facilitate attorneys’ understanding of key firm policies, practices, and procedures and drive compliance.