Manager, Professional Development

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP•Torrance, CA

1d•$200,000 - $225,000

About The Position

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Clients know they can rely on Davis Polk for their most challenging legal and business matters. Our approximately 1,000 lawyers located in 10 offices in the world’s key financial centers and political capitals collaborate seamlessly to deliver exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions. Visit davispolk.com. Position Summary The Manager, Professional Development will work closely with the Professional Development team and the partners in the office to oversee work allocation, utilization, performance and development, performance review process, onboarding and integration of new attorneys as well as organizing practice group and office-wide events. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Staffing/ Work Allocation Staff approximately 30 associates/counsel in the corporate practice group as needed, in consultation with staffing partners. Manage master staffing chart tracking assignments Keep track of and staff vacation coverage for corporate associates and counsel. Maintain associate/counsel monthly hours report. Monitor utilization and track associates’ experience in order to maximize the variety of work, increase exposure to different partners and senior associates, and develop new skills. Assist with staffing paralegals, as needed. Attorney Training Work with NorCal attorneys (partners, counsel and associates) to identify training needs and skill gaps, design and craft training programs to address those needs, identify attorneys to lead those trainings and schedule those training programs on a regular basis. Manage CLE compliance for attorneys in NorCal, with assistance of the CLE team as needed. Coordinate with attorneys and Managing Attorney’s Office regarding professional bar associate memberships for NorCal attorneys. Attorney Reviews Collaborate with others in the Professional Development Department to manage the performance evaluation process for NorCal associates and counsel. Track and facilitate the realization of Professional Development Priorities identified during year-end review process. Attorney Retention Meet regularly with NorCal attorneys to monitor morale, answer questions, and address any concerns. Prepare data for discussion with practice group and firm leadership regarding professional development and retention of attorneys. Make recommendations for improving associate recruiting and retention. Manage the Career Advisor Program for NorCal associates, making associate/partner matches, developing social and other programs to support the program, tracking participation among partners and associates. Organize regular practice group meetings, annual dinners, and social gatherings for the group and the attorneys in the NorCal office. Orientation & Integration of New and Lateral Attorneys Conduct orientation for lateral attorneys in NorCal. Provide support to new parents; manage re-integration and conduct regular check-in meetings. Assist with secondment requests, follow-up and re‑integration. Qualifications/Position Requirements Strong time-management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks quickly and efficiently. Detail-oriented, organized and driven, with the desire to take ownership of projects and responsibilities, but to also work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment. Able to propose creative solutions to challenging problems. Ability to maintain utmost discretion of confidential information. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work confidently and collaboratively with individuals at all levels of the organization. Ability to establish rapport and build relationships and credibility with internal stakeholders. Ability to maintain professional composure in high- pressure situations and a fast-paced, multi-authority environment. Highly motivated, responsive and conscientious, with a commitment to delivering excellent client service. Availability during standard office hours and the ability to respond to email promptly outside of standard office hours and on weekends is essential. Familiarity with Excel and comfortable creating and presenting PowerPoint presentations expected.

Requirements

Strong time-management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks quickly and efficiently.
Detail-oriented, organized and driven, with the desire to take ownership of projects and responsibilities, but to also work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
Able to propose creative solutions to challenging problems.
Ability to maintain utmost discretion of confidential information.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work confidently and collaboratively with individuals at all levels of the organization.
Ability to establish rapport and build relationships and credibility with internal stakeholders.
Ability to maintain professional composure in high- pressure situations and a fast-paced, multi-authority environment.
Highly motivated, responsive and conscientious, with a commitment to delivering excellent client service.
Availability during standard office hours and the ability to respond to email promptly outside of standard office hours and on weekends is essential.
Familiarity with Excel and comfortable creating and presenting PowerPoint presentations expected.
JD degree preferred.
A minimum of three to five years’ post-graduate experience in a law firm or professional services organization expected.
Familiarity with corporate transactional practice preferred.
Experience collaborating with partners in a large law firm setting expected.

Responsibilities

Staff approximately 30 associates/counsel in the corporate practice group as needed, in consultation with staffing partners.
Manage master staffing chart tracking assignments
Keep track of and staff vacation coverage for corporate associates and counsel.
Maintain associate/counsel monthly hours report.
Monitor utilization and track associates’ experience in order to maximize the variety of work, increase exposure to different partners and senior associates, and develop new skills.
Assist with staffing paralegals, as needed.
Work with NorCal attorneys (partners, counsel and associates) to identify training needs and skill gaps, design and craft training programs to address those needs, identify attorneys to lead those trainings and schedule those training programs on a regular basis.
Manage CLE compliance for attorneys in NorCal, with assistance of the CLE team as needed.
Coordinate with attorneys and Managing Attorney’s Office regarding professional bar associate memberships for NorCal attorneys.
Collaborate with others in the Professional Development Department to manage the performance evaluation process for NorCal associates and counsel.
Track and facilitate the realization of Professional Development Priorities identified during year-end review process.
Meet regularly with NorCal attorneys to monitor morale, answer questions, and address any concerns.
Prepare data for discussion with practice group and firm leadership regarding professional development and retention of attorneys.
Make recommendations for improving associate recruiting and retention.
Manage the Career Advisor Program for NorCal associates, making associate/partner matches, developing social and other programs to support the program, tracking participation among partners and associates.
Organize regular practice group meetings, annual dinners, and social gatherings for the group and the attorneys in the NorCal office.
Conduct orientation for lateral attorneys in NorCal.
Provide support to new parents; manage re-integration and conduct regular check-in meetings.
Assist with secondment requests, follow-up and re‑integration.