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Attorney Development Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Professional Development Manager

Dallas, TX ยท On-site

$102K - $150K/yr

Lawyer Orientation, Integration, and Training * Assist in local and regional implementation of the ... Employee Development and Management * Help train, develop and mentor the Professional Development ...

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Attorney Development Manager information

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$24.5K

$59.5K

$116K

How much do attorney development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for attorney development manager in the United States is $59,525.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,000.00 and $68,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the 80 20 rule for lawyers?

The 80/20 rule for lawyers suggests that approximately 80% of a lawyer's results come from 20% of their efforts, clients, or cases. Focusing on high-value clients or cases can improve efficiency and profitability, making time management and prioritization essential skills for attorney development managers.

How to make $500,000 as a lawyer?

An Attorney Development Manager can increase earnings by gaining specialized expertise, building a strong professional network, and pursuing high-value clients or cases. Advancing to senior or partner roles in large firms or corporate legal departments also significantly boosts income. Developing skills in negotiation, business development, and leadership can further enhance earning potential to reach or exceed $500,000 annually.

What is an attorney development manager?

An attorney development manager is responsible for overseeing the professional growth and training of attorneys within a law firm or legal organization. They design and implement development programs, coordinate mentorship, and ensure attorneys meet their career progression goals, often working closely with HR and leadership. Strong communication, organizational skills, and knowledge of legal industry standards are essential for this role.

What are some common challenges faced by Attorney Development Managers in supporting associates' professional growth?

Attorney Development Managers often encounter the challenge of balancing firm-wide training initiatives with the individualized needs of associates at different stages in their careers. Navigating varying expectations from partners, associates, and firm leadership requires strong communication and adaptability. Additionally, staying current with evolving legal industry trends and integrating those into development programs can be demanding. Successful managers build strong relationships across departments and leverage feedback to tailor effective development strategies.

What is the difference between Attorney Development Manager vs Legal Training Coordinator?

AspectAttorney Development ManagerLegal Training Coordinator
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), relevant certifications in legal trainingLegal background preferred, certifications in training or HR beneficial
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, legal education institutionsLaw firms, legal departments, corporate training teams
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in law firms and legal organizations to develop attorneysUsed in legal organizations to coordinate and deliver training programs

The Attorney Development Manager focuses on strategic career development and mentoring of attorneys, while the Legal Training Coordinator handles the logistics and delivery of legal training programs. Both roles support legal staff growth but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Attorney Development Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Attorney Development Manager, you need a deep understanding of legal professional development, project management skills, and a background in law or human resources, often supported by a JD or similar advanced degree. Familiarity with learning management systems, attorney evaluation platforms, and continuing legal education (CLE) compliance tools is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal, coaching, and organizational skills set top performers apart by enabling them to build trust and motivate attorneys. These capabilities are crucial for successfully guiding attorney growth, ensuring firm-wide talent development, and enhancing overall firm performance.

Is being a BDM a stressful job?

As an Attorney Development Manager, the role can be stressful due to managing client relationships, meeting business targets, and handling administrative responsibilities. The job often requires strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to work under pressure, especially during busy periods or tight deadlines.
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What states have the most Attorney Development Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Attorney Development Manager jobs include:
Senior Manager of Attorney Development

Senior Manager of Attorney Development

Perkins Coie LLP

San Diego, CA โ€ข Hybrid

$161K - $254K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Job Description:

We are seeking a strategic, creative, and collaborative Senior Manager of Attorney Development to help shape the future of lawyer growth and professional development at our firm. This role will play a key role in the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of a cohesive, forward-thinking curriculum focused on legal skills, professional and management skills, business development, communication, law firm economics, client service, and emerging areas such as AI in legal practice. The Senior Manager of Attorney Development will also oversee key functions within the department and help build scalable systems and programs that strengthen lawyer engagement, development, and long-term success across the firm. We are looking for a strong leader, manager, and systems-builder with significant law firm professional development experience, intellectual curiosity, and enthusiasm for innovation and change as we enter an exciting new chapter through our combination with Ashurst and continued international growth.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSTraining & Professional Development
  • Develop and support firmwide developmental academies, retreats, orientations, and attorney training initiatives.
  • Partner with firm leadership, talent advisors, Knowledge & Innovation, and divisions/practice groups to assess development needs and deliver strategic programming.
  • Manage training resources and communications with internal and external faculty, coaches, and other training providers.

Mentoring, Integration & Feedback

  • Manage coaching and mentoring programs; support onboarding and integration programs for new and lateral attorneys.
  • Foster a culture, through programs and communications, of effective feedback, coaching, and continuous development.

Team Leadership

  • Provide oversight of firmwide CLE, including compliance, accreditation, reporting, and tracking across jurisdictions and offices.
  • Supervise and mentor the CLE team.
  • Oversee, evaluate, and optimize learning management systems (LMS), attorney evaluation and feedback platforms, and other development technologies (e.g., CE Manager, viGlobal).
  • Manage program budgets, vendor relationships, and multiple simultaneous projects with attention to outcomes, timelines, and resource allocation.

Perform other duties as assigned.
This is a hybrid role with some in-office expectations.

TRAVEL

This position will require approximately 20 days of travel annually.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

  • Minimum five to eight years of manager-level or higher experience in attorney professional development, attorney personnel management, or a closely related field.
  • Substantial experience in lawyer professional development within a law firm environment, with demonstrated ability to design, build, and manage wide-ranging programs-including training curricula, mentoring frameworks, integration initiatives, and CLE-across a complex, multi-office organization.
  • Strong project management and supervisory skills, with a collaborative, proactive approach and proven ability to build partnerships across departments, offices, and leadership levels.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including experience presenting to and advising professionals at all seniority levels.
  • Sound judgment, adaptability, and comfort navigating organizational change in a dynamic firm environment.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with experience launching new initiatives and scaling programs in a growing or evolving firm environment.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

  • JD and prior practice experience.
  • Management experience in a multi-office law firm environment, with broad responsibility for the design and delivery of attorney development and integration programs.
  • Experience with attorney development technologies and systems, including LMS and CLE platforms; knowledge of multi-jurisdictional MCLE compliance.
  • Professional coaching training or certification.

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, accrued paid time off plan starting at 20 days annually, personal medical and parental leave, up to 10 paid holidays, and family care benefits. More information regarding benefits and programs may be found here.

This position may be filled in the following location(s). The listed compensation range reflects the typical pay for this role, though it is rare for new hires to receive an offer at the top of the range. Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, market conditions, and internal equity.

San Francisco Bay Area compensation range: $176,710 to $279,380 annually

Colorado compensation range: $138,450 to $218,880 annually

Illinois compensation range: $146,110 to $231,010 annually

Los Angeles compensation range: $161,230 to $254,900 annually

San Diego compensation range: $159,180 to $251,670 annually

New York compensation range: $160,640 to $253,980 annually

Washington state compensation range: $146,040 to $230,890 annually

Washington, D.C. compensation range: $157,720 to $249,360 annually