Director of Legal Personnel (San Francisco)
Buchanan Legal Professional Services, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
A prestigious global law firm is seeking a
Director of Legal Personnel
to lead the day-to-day management of attorney personnel matters for non-partner attorneys. This is a hands-on, highly operational leadership role focused on performance management, employee relations, attorney lifecycle support, compensation, engagement, and retention in a fast-paced, high-performance legal environment.
This role serves as a trusted advisor to partners, practice leadership, and attorneys, handling sensitive matters, leading complex conversations, and driving fair, consistent, and business-aligned personnel decisions. The Director will oversee evaluations, performance improvement processes, advancement planning, and attorney transitions while partnering closely with Recruiting, Training, HR, Practice Management, and firm leadership.
This role will be hybrid and can sit in Seattle, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, or Santa Monica.
Key Responsibilities: Lead attorney performance management, evaluations, and improvement plans Advise leadership on complex personnel, conduct, and career matters Oversee compensation, advancement, and career progression processes Support attorney engagement, integration, retention, and transitions Develop and implement talent programs, policies, and best practices Monitor legal market trends to inform strategy and competitiveness
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; JD, MBA, or advanced degree preferred 10+ years of experience in a law firm or legal talent leadership role Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders Deep knowledge of attorney lifecycle management and law firm operations Highly discreet, analytical, organized, and effective under pressure
Director of Legal Personnel
to lead the day-to-day management of attorney personnel matters for non-partner attorneys. This is a hands-on, highly operational leadership role focused on performance management, employee relations, attorney lifecycle support, compensation, engagement, and retention in a fast-paced, high-performance legal environment.
This role serves as a trusted advisor to partners, practice leadership, and attorneys, handling sensitive matters, leading complex conversations, and driving fair, consistent, and business-aligned personnel decisions. The Director will oversee evaluations, performance improvement processes, advancement planning, and attorney transitions while partnering closely with Recruiting, Training, HR, Practice Management, and firm leadership.
This role will be hybrid and can sit in Seattle, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, or Santa Monica.
Key Responsibilities: Lead attorney performance management, evaluations, and improvement plans Advise leadership on complex personnel, conduct, and career matters Oversee compensation, advancement, and career progression processes Support attorney engagement, integration, retention, and transitions Develop and implement talent programs, policies, and best practices Monitor legal market trends to inform strategy and competitiveness
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; JD, MBA, or advanced degree preferred 10+ years of experience in a law firm or legal talent leadership role Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders Deep knowledge of attorney lifecycle management and law firm operations Highly discreet, analytical, organized, and effective under pressure