Lateral Program Manager

About the Role

Focused on employment and labor law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C. helps employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies, and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged and stable. The Firm is ranked in the First Tier nationally in Labor and Employment Litigation, as well as in both Employment Law and Labor Law on behalf of Management, in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”.

Responsibilities

• Design, manage, and deliver a consistent nationwide onboarding and integration program for senior-level lateral attorneys.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and office leadership during the recruiting and pre-boarding process to ensure a smooth and coordinated introduction to the Firm.
• Manage the Lateral Partner Questionnaire process, including communications with candidates and Firm leaders, and ensure relevant information is shared with appropriate stakeholders.
• Develop tailored integration plans that align with the needs of incoming attorneys, offices, practice groups, and business services teams.
• Provide a high-touch, concierge onboarding experience by coordinating office leadership, practice group leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Chiefs, business services teams, and the Office of the General Counsel to support compliant and effective onboarding and offboarding processes.
• Coordinate offboarding activities for departing lateral attorneys, ensuring key stakeholders are aligned on communications, client transition considerations, knowledge transfer, and required administrative steps.
• Partner with Firm leadership, business services teams, and the Office of the General Counsel to identify offboarding risks, capture feedback, and recommend process improvements that support consistency and retention insights.
• Work with the Communications team to develop meaningful messaging and introductions for senior attorney arrivals.
• Partner with Learning and Professional Development to ensure new attorneys have timely access to learning content, Firm resources, and role-specific support.
• Coordinate with HR Operations to confirm start dates, once candidates have completed the pre-boarding process.
• Coordinate Day 1/week 1/month agendas to ensure stakeholder meetings are scheduled and introductions are made. Ensure onboarding roles, tasks, meetings, and follow-up actions are assigned, scheduled, and completed in a timely manner.
• Work with Office Administrators to ensure equipment, office set up, and day 1 lunch/office tours are arranged.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for key stakeholders, ensuring departments and leaders understand and fulfill their onboarding commitments.
• Align cross-functional teams on expectations, desired outcomes, and a shared definition of successful integration.
• Develop, document, and refine tools, templates, resources, and processes that support consistent onboarding, integration, and offboarding outcomes.
• Monitor onboarding progress, proactively communicate status updates, and escalate risks, delays, or gaps to appropriate stakeholders.
• Establish and track metrics to evaluate program effectiveness, analyze feedback and trends, and implement continuous improvements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for lateral attorneys during onboarding, helping identify resources and resolve issues as they arise.
• Analyze exit and integration trends and recommend actionable strategies to improve retention, reduce turnover, and strengthen the lateral attorney experience.

Requirements

• Six or more years of experience leading and coordinating programs across a large national organization with multiple offices.
• Experience in Human Resources, Professional Development, or Talent Acquisition preferred.
• Experience developing and delivering onboarding and integration programs in a large law firm environment preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated presentation and facilitation abilities.
• Ability to influence attorneys and employees at all levels of the organization, including office leadership.
• Passion for enabling others and creating engaging, high-impact employee experiences.
• Strong multitasking, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to responsive, client-focused service.
• Flexible, self-starting, results-oriented approach with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders, and priorities with sound judgment and a strong sense of urgency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Juris Doctorate a plus

Pay

For San Francisco, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, and the NY metro area, the expected salary range for this position is between $149,750 and $174,500. For Irvine CA, Sacramento CA, San Diego CA, and Riverside CA area, the expected salary range is between $137,000 and $159,750. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law. This position is also eligible for annual bonuses.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Account
• Firm-paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Employee assistance program and other firm benefits