Partner Recruiting Lead – Direct Hiring

Reports to: Manager, Talent Acquisition
Type: Independent Contractor 

The Opportunity 

We’re seeking a senior legal recruiter to lead our direct-hiring efforts for lateral partners across the United States. This role is pivotal to our business growth, directly impacting revenue through the acquisition of high-performing partners who expand our market reach and client portfolio. 

As our Partner Recruiting Lead, you’ll act as a trusted advisor to firm leadership – designing sourcing strategies, building deep market relationships, and managing complex, high-value recruitment processes with discretion and precision. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead end-to-end recruitment for lateral partner hires across practice areas and jurisdictions in the U.S.
• Develop and execute targeted sourcing strategies to engage both passive and active partner-level candidates.
• Build and maintain a strong network of senior legal professionals, leveraging industry connections and market insights.
• Manage referral candidates with white glove care.
• Collaborate closely with firm leadership to understand practice group priorities, business goals, and talent needs.
• Assess candidates’ portable business, client relationships, and cultural alignment with the Sterlington model.
• Manage negotiation and due diligence processes with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Deliver timely, data-driven pipeline reporting and provide strategic market feedback.
• Ensure an exceptional candidate experience at every stage of the process. 

What We’re Looking For 

• Proven track record of successfully recruiting lateral partners at US law firms.
• Deep understanding of the US legal market, including practice area dynamics, compensation structures, and competitive landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to build and leverage professional networks within the legal industry.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and candidates.
• Track record of meeting or exceeding recruitment goals tied to business growth.
• Strong communication, discretion, and negotiation skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently in a global, remote-first setting.
• Experience with ATS systems (preferably Greenhouse) and recruitment tools. 

Success in This Role Looks Like 

• Delivering high-quality partner hires that directly drive firm revenue and strategic expansion.
• Maintaining a healthy, forward-looking pipeline across priority practice areas.
• Building credibility as a trusted advisor to partners, leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Enhance the firm’s reputation and visibility within the legal market, positioning Sterlington as an employer of choice for high-performing partners seeking a progressive, modern, and results-driven work environment.