Director of Partner Recruiting (Seattle, Washington DC, and Minneapolis)

Department: Talent

About Us:

Ballard Spahr is a nationally recognized law firm with more than 750 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States. A career at Ballard Spahr means joining a team of talented mentors, colleagues, and friends, supported by strong leadership that actively encourages professional growth. 

The Firm is seeking a Director of Partner Recruiting to lead and advance our lateral partner and group growth strategy. This is a highly visible, firmwide leadership role for a sophisticated recruiting professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy, relationship‑building, and execution.

The Director of Partner Recruiting plays a critical role in driving the Firm’s strategic growth through lateral partner recruitment, small‑group acquisitions, and potential law firm mergers. Reporting directly to the Chief Talent Officer, this role collaborates extensively with the Chair, partners leading lateral growth and attorney career advancement, Department Chairs, Practice Group Leaders, Office Managing Partners, the Executive Committee, and senior administrative leadership.

This hybrid role is based in one of our Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., or Seattle offices.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Work Environment: Become part of a forward-thinking firm that enjoys substantial support and visibility from the firm’s executive leadership.
• Professional Development: Take advantage of continuous learning opportunities and avenues for career growth.
• Inclusion: Join a Business Resource Group and share cultural, experiential, or job-related interests, experiences, and/or backgrounds.
• Impactful Contributions: Play a pivotal role in developing industry-leading solutions that make a significant difference in legal practice and client service.

Your Role:

As a Director of Partner Recruiting within our Talent team you will:

• Partner with firm leadership to drive lateral partner recruiting, practice acquisitions, mergers, and succession planning aligned with the firm’s strategic growth priorities.
• Assess potential combinations based on cultural fit, geographic strategy, market opportunity, and practice synergies.
• Define hiring priorities and execute recruiting strategies in close collaboration with Department Chairs and Practice Group Leaders.
• Lead the full lateral partner recruiting lifecycle-from sourcing and evaluation through interviews, offers, and closing.
• Position and market the firm to lateral candidates, partner groups, and search firms in collaboration with Marketing and Business Development.
• Develop business cases, compensation structures, and pro forma financial analyses for leadership and Board review.
• Manage rigorous due diligence processes, including conflicts, risk analysis, and regulatory/insurance notifications.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for candidates, search firms, and internal stakeholders, ensuring high-touch experience.
• Support onboarding and integration of lateral partners and groups, including client transitions and cross‑practice synergies.
• Track and report on recruiting metrics, market trends, and budget performance for firm leadership.

What We’re Looking For:

•  Initiative: Initiative to research and learn new areas of law, industries and regions as needed for recruiting objectives.
• Communication: Demonstrate the ability to listen, understand information and ideas presented, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Detail-Oriented: Keen attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.
• Judgment and Problem Solving: Sound judgment, discretion, and strategic problem‑solving skills; ability to manage complex matters under pressure.

Required Experience:

10+ years of law firm recruiting experience with a focus on lateral partner and group placements.

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD preferred.
• Demonstrated success influencing and aligning with firm leadership in lateral recruiting efforts.
• Strong leadership, relationship‑building, and communication skills.
• Experience managing confidential matters with integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Ability to work extended hours as required to support strategic recruiting initiatives.
• Proficiency with legal recruiting systems, document management platforms, and core business technology, including but not limited to MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, NetDocuments, Elite, and other practice/functional area databases, as appropriate.

The salary range for this position is from $180,000 – $225,000, which reflects the Firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will depend on several factors such as the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and location.

For eligible employees Ballard Spahr offers medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, short and long-term disability, a 401(k)-retirement savings plan, paid time off, sick leave, paid holidays and an employee assistance program. A detailed summary of available benefits can be found here on our Careers website.

Ready to Grow with Us?

If you are ready to play a vital role in the Firm’s success, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our commitment to excellence.

At Ballard Spahr, we believe that our skills, perspectives, and backgrounds drive innovation and excellence, while our unique culture fosters collaboration and success. Our culture of thriving together forms the cornerstone of how we deliver exceptional service and position our firm for a strong future. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Ballard Spahr is an equal opportunity employer. We offer equal consideration to all qualified applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, handicap or disability, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, genetic information, ancestry, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.

The firm is not accepting resumes from search firms for this position.