Director of Attorney Professional Development

Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, a law firm of 300 attorneys in more than 30 practice and industry groups, is accepting applications for a full-time Director of Attorney Professional Development in either our Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany, or Rochester, NY office locations. This position will focus on developing, supporting, and implementing programs, processes, and initiatives to facilitate Bond’s long history of excellent legal service.

This position will identify, develop, and pursue opportunities and initiatives to ensure the professional development of all attorneys at Bond.

• Conduct research to develop, propose, and implement strategies, subject to Management Committee approval, for best practices and strategies to advise the Recruiting Committee on issues pertaining to recruitment and retention and assist with implementation
• Develop level-appropriate leadership training, partnering with appropriate committees and departments, both legal and administrative
• Develop contacts with law schools, bar committees and other professional organizations for the purpose of enhancing the Firm’s reputation at law schools and other sources of attorney referral and recruitment
• Build relationships with consultants, bar associations, industry, and faculty to support ongoing professional development efforts for attorneys at various levels
• Work with the Management Committee, Associate Committee, COO, CPO, and other group leaders to formulate and assist in implementing goals for all attorneys’ professional development
• Serve as the liaison to the Diversity Committee and develop programs and opportunities related to culture and community
• Design and coordinate in-house CLE and professional development programs for all attorneys (together with appropriate Committee Chair, Department Practice Chairs and General Counsel) with approval from the GC department for all CLE programming
• Work with associates, junior Members, and the Marketing Department under the guidance of the CMO to enhance younger attorneys’ opportunities to network, self-market, and otherwise grow professionally
• Assist Marketing Department (with the CMO) to create initiatives and opportunities for thought leadership and growth for attorneys at all levels
• Work with office/department/practice group leaders and Associate Committee to monitor distribution of work and address under utilization and related issues
• Where appropriate, assist department/practice group leaders in development of general experience-based progress checklists, to help associates in those departments/groups receive appropriate types of work for their level of experience
• Together with the Associate Committee, Department Heads, and other group leaders, assist in actively identifying associates not progressing satisfactorily to determine and implement appropriate supportive and corrective measures. Assist HR with documentation, under the direction of the Associate Committee Chair and General Counsel, as necessary
• Work with the Associate Committee and CPO to evaluate and, as needed, recommend improvements and develop best practices to associate evaluation procedures
• Work with Committee Chairs to maintain and enhance firm-wide 1st – 5th year associate mentoring program intended to facilitate professional growth
• Work with Management Committee, Human Resources, and other group leaders to develop training programs for associates, from basic skills to leadership training
• Develop Senior Associate specific training in line with strategic initiatives.
• Focus on trainings for Senior Counsel including working on integration into the firm
• Serve as liaison for associates to bring concerns or problems in confidence and work with Associates Committee, Management Committee, and other administrative departments as appropriate to resolve issues and collaborate on going-forward solutions
• Other duties as may arise in the course of those listed above

• 7-10 years of progressive experience preferably in a law firm or law school setting
• Master's or Bachelor's Degree required; JD is preferred.
• Expert understanding of best practices in professional and…