Summary:
The HR Practice Management Generalist works closely with the HR Director to carry out a wide range of associate-facing activities and programs for the DC office practice groups. This includes working with the Co-Chairs and Partners of the Evaluation & Compensation of Associates, Litigation Associate Development, Diversity & Inclusiveness, Retention and Promotion of Women, and Associate Relations committees tasked with professional development and attorney work life-cycle initiatives. The Practice Management Generalist supervises and oversees the work of the Practice Management Assistant in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this role.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Oversee onboarding activities for incoming fall associates to include communicating pre-arrival; monitoring new hire paperwork; gathering practice group interests; finding first assignments; coordinating advisor pairings; drafting new lawyer announcements; and planning welcome events.
- Participate in all new hire orientation meetings to provide an overview of the practice management team.
- Build relationships with employees, managers and lawyers, while serving as a positive role model and a key HR advisor.
- Assign Litigation Associate Development Committee (LADC) partners for incoming litigation associates.
- Serve as primary liaison and subject matter expert for the DC Bar application process and annual bar renewal.
- Facilitate bi-weekly capacity planning survey to associates; compile resulting survey data for Co-Chair and Practice Group Head staffing purposes.
- Coordinate logistics and materials for monthly and bi-monthly committee and routine department meetings; attend meetings and give report as needed; capture meeting minutes for follow-up and distribution.
- Participate in firm-wide Litigation Cross Staffing Group calls, providing updates for associate availability in DC office and discussing current staffing in an effort to continue to evolve cross-office staffing efforts.
- Assist with logistics for individual associate mid-level career development meetings including attending meetings and capturing summary notes.
- Coordinate bi-annual associate review process to include scheduling and attending all practice group associate review meetings, capturing notes, and other due diligence logistics and follow-up.
- Provide support to assigned sub-committee in the fall; develop sub-committee call schedule and agenda; participate in calls and draft submission of ranking recommendations on behalf of sub-committee.
- Oversee compilation of monthly hours reports; analyzing associate hours on a monthly and 12-month roll basis for Committee Co-Chairs.
- Meets with associates prior to their leave of absence in conjunction with Local HR to discuss firm policies, ramp down/ramp up (as applicable), and adjusted hours targets. Provides updates on associate leaves to Co-Chairs and Practice Group Heads.
- Assist with outplacement and administrative paperwork for departing associates including conducting exit interviews and capturing summary notes.
- Coordinate with Legal Recruiting, Office of General Counsel, Learning & Development, Comp & Analytics, HRIS, and other departments as needed.
- Serve as back-up to HR Director in support of practice management.
Education and/or Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- High level of proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- A minimum of 4 years of relevant HR work experience
- Knowledge of HRIS systems, business office operations, and other operational procedures with a demonstrated application of process improvement
- Demonstrated ability to manage assigned projects independently or as part of a team
- Excellent presence and strong communication skills, verbal and written
Preferred:
- Law firm or professional services firm experience
- Experience with PeopleSoft database applications
- Experience and comfort with public speaking
Other Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong attention to detail
- The use of good judgement and good interpersonal communication skills
- Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills
- Works harmoniously and effectively with others as part of a team
- A self-starter who desires to show ownership and commitment to the job
- Exercises confidentiality and discretion
- Ability to work under extreme pressure
- Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and meet tight deadlines
Qualified candidates may apply on the career page - www.sidley.com. Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.