Legal Talent Manager

At Cravath the Legal Personnel Department serves as a trusted advisor to Firm leadership and a strategic partner to our attorneys across the full lifecycle—from recruiting onboarding integration professional development through key career transitions.

Working closely with senior leaders and cross‑functional teams the Legal Talent team within the Legal Personnel Department helps ensure that attorney employment changes are managed thoughtfully consistently and with the highest level of professionalism. We are seeking a Legal Talent Manager to lead the Firm’s attorney status‑change and transition function across New York London and Washington D.C. This is a highly visible role requiring exceptional judgment discretion and the ability to drive well‑communicated high‑touch processes in close partnership with Firm leadership and key administrative stakeholders.

The Legal Talent Manager will oversee a broad range of attorney status changes serving as a primary point of contact and resource to attorneys on sensitive and complex matters. This role combines strategic oversight with hands‑on execution and is well‑suited for an experienced legal talent professional who is comfortable advising senior stakeholders and managing nuanced employment‑related processes in a high‑standards environment.

Attorney Transitions & Status Changes

• Manages logistics for attorneys transitioning to alternative work arrangements;
• Partners closely with the Benefits department to support attorneys navigating life‑event related leaves including births and adoptions and to provide clear timely and supportive communication throughout those processes;
• Upholds and communicates Firm policies relating to various forms of leave exercising sound judgment and discretion in sensitive circumstances;
• Manages legal staff departures with a highly individualized and thoughtful approach to ensure a positive experience;
• Provides high‑touch coordination of partner retirements;
• Manages office transfer logistics including related policies across New York London and Washington D.C.;
• Oversees logistics related to promotions including partnering with internal teams and Firm leadership with regard to related trainings; and
• Oversees the Firm’s legal staff part‑time program and works closely with the Managing Partners on administration and execution.

Cross‑Office & International Coordination

• Supports consistency and alignment of attorney status‑change processes across U.S. and London offices;
• Maintains and continuously improves internal tracking documentation and communications across key administrative departments;
• Collaborates with broader Legal Personnel teams on associate matters special projects and cross‑department initiatives; and
• Assesses refines and helps implement policies procedures and practices related to attorney employment changes to ensure consistency clarity and strong communication.

People Management

• Responsible for oversight of two direct reports;
• For direct reports establishes weekly meetings and quarterly development goals tied to specific competencies and tracks progress via documented check-ins and tangible deliverables;
• Prioritizes relationship building within the Legal Personnel Department and across other departments at the Firm as well as with associates and Partners;
• Conducts effective staff evaluations and provides regular mentorship to team;
• Maintains a hands-on management approach with readiness to jump in and work alongside the team as needed;
• Identifies specific training needs and coaches team accordingly to develop technical functional and interpersonal skills; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of legal talent or related experience in a service industry firm with at least 1-2 years in a people management position;
• Customer service mindset and ability to partner successfully with attorneys at all levels;
• High social and emotional intelligence with experience leading and mentoring team members and cultivating strong relationships;
• Excellent organization and communication skills in addition to superior judgment;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word Excel Outlook and PowerPoint as well as the ability to learn and use legal talent and recruiting applications built internally;
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to work well under pressure and coordinate several activities at one time;
• Ability to deal discreetly with confidential information; and
• Ability to work additional hours including business-related travel as needed.

This position is located in our New York office and currently has a hybrid work schedule but that is subject to change. The estimated salary range for this position is $160000 to $180000. The actual salary offered will be based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills training experience education and where applicable licensure or certification obtained. Market and Firm factors are also considered. In addition to base salary and discretionary bonus(es) we offer a generous employee benefits package including but not limited to paid time off medical dental vision care 401(k) and substantial health club discounts.

What We Do

Cravath has been known as one of the premier U.S. law firms for two centuries. Each of our practice areas is highly regarded and our lawyers are recognized around the world for their commitment to the representation of our clients'​ interests. Our primary areas of practice include: corporate litigation tax executive compensation and benefits and trusts and estates.