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Assistant

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Clients know they can rely on us for their most challenging legal and business matters. From offices in the world’s key financial centers and political capitals, our more than 1,000 lawyers collaborate seamlessly to deliver exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions.
Job title
Assistant, Professional Development
Location
New York
Department
Professional Development
Reports to

Manager, Professional Development

Exempt/Non-Exempt
Non-Exempt
Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (overtime as required).

Position Summary

The Assistant, Professional Development will provide various clerical and organizational support to the Professional Development team as needed. 

Essentials Duties and Responsibilities

This position will provide support primarily to the Litigation department but will assist with other projects across the Firm as needed. Typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Counsel and Associate Reviews

  • Support annual, interim, off-cycle, and mid-year reviews for all litigation group practices firm-wide.
  • Create timetable and outline for mid-year, off-cycle, and annual reviews. Follows steps to keep everything on schedule. Ensure all necessary emails are sent out to associates, partners and management committee to keep everyone informed of what to expect.
  • Troubleshoot problems and work with IT to swiftly fix issues.  Communicate with reviewers regarding intake and resolution of problems.

Departures

  • Coordinate departure celebrations for departing litigators. Review and approve departure party expense reports. Communicate with practice group partners if there is a question or issues with reimbursement request.
  • Track associates leaving for a clerkship and maintain log for date of departure, returns, and status of exit interview
  • Collect feedback for departing associate from relevant partners, counsel, and associates
  • Schedule exit meetings for departing clerks

Staffing

  • Maintaining staffing tracker, including out of office dates and availability
  • Assist with the organization of information captured on capacity reports completed by attorneys, and send reminders to attorneys regarding to the completion of these reports
  • Track attorney timekeeping
  • Assist with staffing attorneys as needed

Training and CLE and Mentoring Programs

  • Provide organizational support to running of mentorship programs, including Career Advisor Program and Associate Mentor Program.
  • Work with the CLE team to coordinate CLE credit for group meetings and assist with any ad hoc CLE requests.
  • Assist with administrative and logistical tasks for trainings and mentoring programs.

Parental Leave Program

  • Update and maintain tracker for new parents and post-leave check-ins
  • Coordinate sending toolkits to new parents
  • Send emails with pertinent information and resources to new parents

Reports

  • Prepare and distribute hours reports for practice group coordinators, staffing partners and Professional Development Managers.
  • Run ad hoc reports as needed

Lateral Integration Program

  • Track lateral arrivals and schedule check-ins during first four months at the firm.
  • Provide statistical data in response to questions pertaining to diversity, departures, rotations, and laterals amongst the attorney population.

Arrivals

  • Track weekly arrivals
  • Schedule check-ins as needed for Professional Development Managers
  • Add new arrivals to relevant email groups

Ad Hoc Projects (examples):

  • Coordinate ad hoc and holiday gifts
  • Work with the Events team to coordinate Practice Group events
  • Assist with any logistics and administrative tasks related to ad hoc projects and events.
  • Update and distribute staffing card on a quarterly basis
  • Maintain internal email groups
  • Assist with other ad hoc projects for the PD department
Qualifications / Position Requirements
  • Excellent communication skills both written and oral
  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask
  • Ability to work independently and also collaboratively with other offices and staff
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of personnel and other sensitive matters is critical.
  • Proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Excel (pivot tables, running and creating functions)
  • Proficient in Adobe Acrobat working with PDFs
Education and/or Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • At least one years’ experience with similar responsibilities in a large law firm or similar environment preferred 
Compensation

The expected base salary for this position is $65,000 - $70,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, anticipated assignment and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Davis Polk offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

To apply, please email a resume and cover letter.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.