Director of Learning

Jackson Lewis • Chicago, IL

8d • $195,000 - $220,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Focused on employment and labor law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s 1,000+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged and stable, and share our clients’ goals to emphasize belonging and respect for the contributions of every employee. The Firm is ranked in the First Tier nationally in the category of Labor and Employment Litigation, as well as in both Employment Law and Labor Law on behalf of Management, in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”. The Director of Learning (Legal - L&E Focus) is responsible for designing, elevating, and executing learning programs across all Jackson Lewis practice groups . This role sits at the intersection of legal expertise, instructional design strategy, and cross‑functional talent development, ensuring that practice group trainings are cohesive, forward‑looking, legally rigorous, and aligned with firm priorities. The Director will partner closely with firm leadership, L&E subject matter experts, attorney coaches, facilitators, the Knowledge Management (KM) team, Professional Development (PD) leadership, and practice group leaders to design and deliver best‑in‑class learning experiences. This role ensures all attorney and practice group training is aligned with evolving legal standards and firm strategy and supports the growth of attorneys at all levels.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) required.
• Labor & Employment litigation or advisory experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10+ years of experience in Learning & Development, Attorney Professional Development, Legal Training, or L&E practice.
• Proven ability to review and evaluate legal content for accuracy, risk, instructional soundness, and alignment with current case law and regulatory developments.
• Expertise in instructional design, curriculum development, and innovative learning modalities (e‑learning, blended learning, in‑person).
• Demonstrated experience translating complex legal concepts into structured, pedagogically sound training programs for attorneys.
• Strong ability to collaborate with senior leaders, practice group chairs, KM attorneys, SME lawyers, coaches, and facilitators to execute firmwide learning initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting legal topics to senior legal audiences.
• Proficiency with LMS platforms and legal technology tools, including AI‑enabled research and writing applications.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing multiple complex, legally substantive projects simultaneously.
• Ability to align learning initiatives with firm strategy, legal priorities, and risk‑mitigation objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a firm‑aligned learning and development strategy for attorneys and paralegals.
• Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of CLE and legal‑skills training programs.
• Conduct substantive legal reviews of CLE materials, case simulations, workshops, and hypotheticals to ensure accuracy, alignment with case law, and consistency with firm litigation strategy.
• Partner with key stakeholders to develop L&E learning content, applying advanced legal judgment to evaluate, refine, and approve all practice‑group materials for legal accuracy, risk, and compliance.
• Partner with Knowledge Management Attorneys and practice attorneys to understand and advise practice groups and firm leadership on legal trends, risk areas, and regulatory developments to inform curriculum priorities.
• Design legally rigorous curriculum frameworks across L&E practice areas integrating AI‑enabled legal research, writing, and litigation tools into learning pathways.
• Ensure all training initiatives align with firm strategic goals and support core legal‑practice skill development, and core competencies.
• Collaborate with coaches, facilitators, and subject matter experts to establish processes for 1:1 and small‑group coaching and practice‑area check‑ins.
• Partner with firm leaders to build practice‑skills onboarding programs for new attorneys.
• Ensure training reflects real‑world legal applications, litigation strategy, risk‑mitigation principles, and jurisdiction‑specific nuances.
• Maintain a legal quality‑assurance process to ensure clarity, relevance, and legal precision in instructional materials.
• Lead the creation of innovative learning experiences, including scenario‑based training, simulations, microlearning, and technology‑enhanced formats, to advance attorney development.
• Use learning analytics, evaluations, and attorney performance data to measure impact and drive continuous improvement.
• Track and report learning outcomes, strategic progress, and engagement metrics to firm leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• This position is also eligible for annual bonuses.
• We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree