Job Description

At Fried Frank, we’re a community of 800 lawyers and 500 business services professionals across New York, Washington, DC, London, Frankfurt, and Brussels. We advise leading corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions on high-stakes M&A, securities, regulatory matters, real estate, and litigation. Our culture is grounded in our core values — excellence, integrity and collaboration — and is designed to foster continuous learning, meaningful mentorship, and lasting professional growth. We are firmly committed to pro bono service and social justice, building on a proud legacy in civil rights. Our inclusive talent strategy is a core part of our broader talent management efforts and we remain steadfast in fostering a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and become their best professional and personal selves. Our business services professionals are integral to the firm’s success, driving innovation, operational excellence and exceptional client service across all areas of the firm. We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including comprehensive medical coverage, retirement plans and health and wellness initiatives designed to support your personal and professional wellbeing. We welcome passionate, driven individuals to join us, and be part of a team where you’ll be supported, inspired and empowered to build an exceptional career.

This role supports the Director of Attorney Resources in all aspects of human resources related to attorneys in the firm’s US offices. This role acts as a primary resource to provide high level HR support relating to attorneys in the Washington, DC office, as well as to develop and increase employee engagement amongst the attorneys in the DC office. The position plays an integral role to ensure DC attorneys have appropriate involvement and representation in firmwide initiatives. This role acts as a primary resource to provide a wide-range of immigration related support for Firm attorneys in the NY and DC offices. This role acts as a resource for US office and firmwide initiatives, working with the Director and the Senior Manager.

Job Relationships

This is a highly visible position and as such requires frequent interaction and collaboration with Partners, Special Counsel, Associates and Business Services employees. Works closely cross-functionally with the global Human Capital Management (HCM) team and is responsible for the delivery of the end to end employee lifecycle in DC partnering with others members of the team as appropriate. This position will also partner with other departments as needed including Information Systems, Operations and Finance to provide excellent customer service to attorneys of all levels. Leverages the Attorney Resources Coordinator (NY).

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides high level HR service and full administrative support in the execution of attorney-related HR processes and initiatives such as onboarding, off-boarding, performance management, talent management, and employee engagement.
• Liaises with Director of Attorney Resources on all policies and procedures relating to the DC office. This includes communication of policies and ensuring compliance with Federal and State regulations.
• Works with the team to develop and maintain comprehensive Attorney Manual; manages compliance with policies; responds to inquiries about the application of policies to specific situations.
• Acts as an employee relations specialist and, working with the Director, investigates issues, conflicts and grievances and recommends corrective action, and when appropriate, disciplinary action and/or termination of employment.
• Supports Director and Practices Group Management to counsel and guide client base with performance management issues.
• Engages with associates and acts as support and liaison with DC Associates.
• Manages all aspects of administrative procedures for attorneys in the DC office including hire, termination, changes in pay rate, changes in job title, promotion, bonus payments, relocations, secondments, non-FMLA leaves of absence, personnel file maintenance, etc.
• Supports implementation of new technologies and ongoing process improvements to enhance the employee experience of onboarding and offboarding.
• Creates and maintains Form I-9 records; maintains notification reminders of expiration of work authorization and procures updated Form I-9 documentation where required.
• Performs a wide range of immigration-related services for Firm attorneys needing employment visas, employment authorization, travel authorization, business visas and permanent resident visas.
• Coordinates applications, extensions and other documentation; monitors expiration and other key dates for visa holders in conjunction with outside counsel and Firm departments.
• In conjunction with outside counsel, advises Firm departments on immigration-related issues with respect to I-9 compliance, payroll, tax, social security and benefits.
• Manages orientation process for new hires and provides support in connection with incoming first year associate onboarding.
• Plays a role in the organization of the New Associate Academy, including preparation and delivery of Attorney Resources programs.
• Manages and processes reimbursements of expenses for lateral attorneys in connection with the bar exam and moving.
• Manages attorney bar admission process, including preparation of employment affidavits, leveraging the Attorney Resources Coordinator.
• Conducts exit interviews for departing attorneys, works with HRIS to document and analyze trends or patterns that emerge through exit interview data and recommend solutions to proactively address any issues.
• Manages and analyzes regular and ad hoc reports of associate employment statistics and demographics, as needed; manages and assists on survey responses.
• Manages requests by Partners, attorneys, and authorized third parties in reference to employment verifications (general, mortgage, etc.), and other standard inquiries (i.e., unemployment insurance), leveraging junior team members as appropriate.
• Updates Firm records and databases to reflect changes in attorney status (name, bar admission, position change, etc.).
• Supports Director in preparing and managing budget for DC Attorney Resources.
• Manages DC office sports teams, tracks, approves and maintains records of expenditures.
• Leads HCM departmental initiatives and projects, as assigned.
• Partners with others members of the HCM team in DC and act as one team to our internal clients.
• Leads and/or participates in projects led by other members of the HCM which are globally orientated.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required; JD or Advanced degree in relevant area, e.g., human resources, business, organizational development preferred.

Experience: At least 5-10 years of relevant HR or professional development experience required; law firm experience is preferred.

Skills and Abilities Must be focused, dynamic, responsive, and highly organized. Ability to effectively communicate with attorneys, all levels of business services and contacts outside the Firm both verbally and in writing. Ability to deal with multiple time-sensitive tasks simultaneously while maintaining exemplary interpersonal skills. Ability to act with a high degree of integrity and maintain confidentiality. Ability to act in a professional manner at all times. Ability to handle and prioritize multiple assignments. Ability to work under pressure with interruptions and tight deadlines. Ability to use independent judgment, problem solve, take initiative and follow through. Strong customer-service orientation and a strong team player. Must demonstrate a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail and possess strong writing and organizational skills. Must have ability to work with minimal supervision on many tasks and flexibility to work beyond the standard work hours as needed. Proficiency with MS Office Suite and Internet research and database skills required.