Talent Advisor

Perkins Coie•Madison, WI

46d•$134,380 - $242,040

About The Position

GENERAL PURPOSE The Talent Advisor serves as a partner to Practice Group leadership, supporting the full attorney lifecycle with a focus on workforce planning, development, performance management, and transitions. This role combines data-informed planning with strong judgment, discretion, and relationship management. The Talent Advisor works closely with partners, Practice Group leaders, and central Talent teams to ensure the right people are in the right roles, supported to grow and succeed, and managed thoughtfully through change.

Requirements

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort in presenting to senior audiences.
Ability to synthesize data, feedback, and context into clear, practical guidance.
Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders and navigating sensitive, high-stakes matters.
5–8+ years of experience in a law firm environment, either as a practicing attorney or in a business professional role; candidates with 3–5 years of highly relevant experience may be considered.
Bachelor’s degree; J.D. preferred

Responsibilities

Workforce Planning & Capacity Management Partner with Practice Group leadership to assess short- and long-term staffing needs, including workload trends, utilization, leverage, and growth objectives.
Support staffing and utilization management by helping leaders identify capacity constraints, reallocate work, and anticipate pressure points.
Contribute to workforce planning discussions, including for summer and lateral associates, by providing data, insight, and perspective on practice needs and talent gaps.
Collaborate with Recruiting and firm leadership to align hiring decisions with strategic priorities and realistic capacity planning.
Support annual evaluation processes, including preparation for evaluation and promotion-readiness discussions for associates and counsel.
Help translate evaluation outcomes into concrete, actionable development plans that align individual goals with practice needs.
Advise on counsel pathways and partnership readiness, including progression expectations, skill development, and timing considerations.
Work with the Professional Development team to develop and refine Practice Group core competencies, align training and career development initiatives with those competencies, and assess progress over time.
Support the partner promotion process by coordinating inputs, framing readiness discussions, and ensuring consistency and clarity across practice groups.
Support onboarding and integration of new attorneys, with particular focus on lateral associates, helping them navigate firm culture, expectations, and relationships.
Help manage leaves, returns, and other transitions by coordinating across stakeholders and ensuring smooth reentry and reintegration.
Guide associates and partners through underperformance and improvement plans, providing structure, clarity, and follow-through.
Advise partners and practice leaders on feedback, expectations, and development conversations, including how to deliver clear, constructive, and timely guidance.
Serve as a trusted advisor on sensitive performance, conduct, and interpersonal issues, exercising discretion and sound judgment.
Provide guidance on exits, including process, messaging, and coordination with firm leadership and other teams.
Work closely with Practice Group chairs, partners, and firm leadership as a thought partner and trusted advisor.
Collaborate with Recruiting, Attorney Development, and other firm functions to ensure alignment and consistency.
Join regular Practice Group meetings to anticipate needs and proactively create talent strategies.
Balance empathy with accountability and strategy with execution in all aspects of the role.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Be present at work during regularly scheduled working hours and as needed in the position, consistent with the firm’s attendance expectations.