Manager, Experienced Legal Recruitment

Firm Summary

White & Case is an elite global law firm serving leading companies, financial institutions and governments worldwide. Our long history as an international firm means we are perfectly placed to help our clients resolve their most complex legal challenges wherever they may be.

With lawyers operating from more than 40 locations, working around the world, we have invested heavily in building a high-quality full-service practice competing at the top of the market. We are distinguished by our on-the-ground presence in the world’s key financial markets and our strengths in handling complex cross-border work.

It’s not just about our global network of offices; it’s the global interconnectedness of the Firm that our people, and our clients, value most. We work well together across geographic and practice boundaries. It’s one of the reasons we attract and retain cross-border work.

Our lawyers are globally minded, enterprising, collaborative and committed to excellence. Our people represent 90 nationalities and speak 80 languages.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Legal Recruitment Manager to lead best-in-class lateral associate recruitment efforts. This role oversees the full recruitment lifecycle for lateral associates, counsel, international law fellows, and judicial clerks across all US offices.

The ideal candidate brings proven experience leading legal recruiting teams, deep expertise in lateral hiring, and the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders. Success in this role requires a commercial mindset, exceptional organizational and process-management skills, and a commitment to delivering a seamless, high-touch experience for both candidates and internal stakeholders.

Duties and Accountabilities

Team Management & Development

• Lead, mentor and develop the Experienced Legal Recruitment team to achieve team goals and deliver high-quality results
• Support the professional growth of team members by promoting subject matter expertise and embedding recruitment best practices across all stages of the hiring process

Recruitment Process Management

• Manage full-cycle recruitment for multiple roles, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, offer management, and onboarding.
• Draft and maintain accurate job descriptions and market-aligned job postings to attract top legal talent
• Source candidates through multiple channels and conduct screening interviews, providing consultative guidance to partners and stakeholders throughout the process
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Immigration, Conflicts, General Counsel, Compensation, Mobility) to ensure compliance and a smooth hiring and offer experience
• Oversee recruitment operations, maintaining trackers and ATS updates, and supporting onboarding tasks
• Monitor market trends and provide data-driven insights to inform hiring strategies and compensation decisions
• Ensure recruitment practices align with legal and regulatory requirements and internal policies
• Lead weekly Recruitment Approval Review, including reporting, workforce planning approvals, and coordination with HR Business Partners
• Champion accurate and compliant recruitment data and promote consistent process excellence across the team
• Leverage requisition reporting to optimize workloads, resolve recruitment roadblocks proactively, and deliver a high touch, “white glove” experience to every candidate and stakeholder throughout the hiring process

Agency Management

• Build and maintain strong agency relationships, including contract negotiations, strengthening partnership, and gathering data insights to support our Preferred Supplier List initiative
• Collaborate with the team to build a trusted network of go-to agencies, ensuring White & Case is consistently introduced to top-tier talent
• Implement a regular check-in with active agency partners to share updates, exchange feedback, and equip them with the information they need to effectively represent our brand in the market

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Partner with leadership to drive strategy, implement best practices, and apply data insights to improve hiring outcomes
• Build trusted relationships with department heads and hiring managers, offering strategic guidance throughout the recruitment lifecycle
• Share relevant market intelligence to support informed hiring decisions
• Deliver clear, timely reporting on hiring metrics, sourcing effectiveness, and recruitment initiatives
• Educate internal stakeholders on recruitment processes, timelines, and best practices

Additional Responsibilities

• Contribute to global, regional, and office-level recruitment projects and initiatives as needed
• Participate in department meetings and cross-functional collaborations, as requested
• Foster a positive team environment through effective communication and coordination
• Maintain up-to-date professional knowledge and skills through continuous learning and development
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in all interactions
• Uphold firm and departmental policies while maintaining respectful, collaborative relationships across all levels of the organization

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• 6+ years of legal recruitment experience in a law firm environment, with 2+ years of team management experience
• Proven success in recruiting top legal talent in competitive markets, with expertise in recruitment strategy, agency management, and delivering an exceptional candidate experience
• Deep understanding of recruitment methodologies and candidate engagement, with a proactive, innovative mindset
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, demonstrating professional presence and sound judgment
• Recognized as a trusted advisor to partners and stakeholders, with the ability to influence, guide, and manage relationships at all levels
• Skilled at navigating matrixed professional services environments and working across complex organizational structures
• High emotional intelligence, with the ability to manage sensitive matters with discretion and build credibility across functions
• Strong time and project management skills; excels under pressure while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting
• Experience working across global or multi-office teams with a collaborative, inclusive mindset
• Adaptable, resilient, and client-focused, with a results-driven approach to challenges and shifting priorities
• Meticulous attention to detail and a deep commitment to client service excellence
• Proven experience maintaining accurate and timely updates in utilizing an ATS and other tracking systems (workday a plus)

Location and Reporting

• This is a full-time role based in our New York office
• This role reports to the Senior Manager, Business Services and Experienced Legal Recruitment - Americas

Note to Recruitment Agencies

Our Internal Recruitment team are responsible for all end-to-end lateral recruitment process. All agencies must sign White & Case terms of business which are often specific. Candidates submitted by an agency without terms of business agreed with the appropriate office, and/or outside of our online application tracking system, will not be considered a formal introduction. Any applications and CVs sent directly to White & Case Partners and employees will not be accepted as formal introductions. If you have any questions, please contact the Americas Lateral Recruitment team.

Equal Opportunities

White & Case is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm's policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact [email protected].

Benefits at White & Case

White & Case LLP offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, 401(k) retirement savings, vacation time, and leave programs (including parental leave). Exempt roles are also performance bonus eligible.

*The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties of the individual holding such position. The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.