Human Resources Specialist - Attorneys

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative, and diverse firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Human Resources department in our New York office as a Human Resources Specialist - Attorneys.

The Human Resources Specialist - Attorneys, serves as the primary resource for attorney HR matters in the New York office including onboarding, offboarding, integration, retention initiatives, diversity initiatives and general HR transactions such as secondments, separations, alternative work schedules, etc. May serve as the primary point person on specific HR functions. Provide support for US-wide multi-office functions and initiatives as needed.

Essential Functions:    

• Provide day-to-day HR support for attorneys in assigned business units, and partners with the Human Resources Manager, Office Practice Leaders and others on ensuring attorney development, morale and engagement efforts are being successfully implemented
• Facilitates human resources issues such as firm policies, leaves of absence, secondments, separations, reclassifications to part-time status, employment verification, personnel file records, office transfers,
• Facilitate the onboarding processes for lateral attorneys including but not limited to: communications with new hires, coordinating and processing new hire paperwork and orientation schedules, holding HR orientation sessions, providing information on firm policies and procedures, and coordinating with Benefits, Payroll, IT, Facilities and other internal departments on arrivals
• Facilitate New York New Lawyer Orientation for First Year Associates and Post-Clerks including integration efforts 30, 60, and 90 days after arrival
• Work with Attorney Personnel on PeopleSoft updates related to new hires, status changes, and other work flows
• Initiate and participate in attorney retention and development initiatives
• Provide HR support on immigrations needs including completing the PERM application process
• Assist in the annual evaluation process and solicit and compile interim feedback
• Coordinate attorney departures
• Provides on-the-ground support to other HR professional when trainings, events, etc. are hosted out of NY office
• Initiates and facilitates initiatives set forth for Associate, Lateral Integration and Mentor committees
• Support survey initiatives including Vault, Chambers, and AmLaw surveys
• Facilitate the NYO mentoring program, work with the committee and on related initiatives
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet Firm goals and objectives

Education/Training/Certifications:   

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience has been directly related to the functions of the job

Professional Experience: 

• Prior experience in a legal or business services setting, preferred

Technical Skills: 

• Knowledge of software tools such as PeopleSoft ; experience with similar database tools for applicant tracking, continuing education tracking, HR information a plus
• Proficiency in virtual platforms such as Microsoft Teams, WebEx and Zoom

Performance Traits:   

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

Physical Requirements:

• May require occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.