Professional development training and legal compliance specialist

Job description

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide.

Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Department purpose and structure
The HR team at A&O Shearman provides a first-class service to the business, offering strategic HR business advice at the business partner level and quality support services in the full range of HR functions through specialist teams such as, learning & development, resourcing, reward, employee relations advice, inclusion, payroll, systems and HR administration.

Role purpose
To provide specialist knowledge, expertise, and implementation on the training and legal compliance fronts as a key member of the professional development group within the U.S. HR team.

Key relationships

• Director of professional development
• Senior manager of professional development
• Wider professional development teams
• HR head, directors, senior managers, and managers (Americas)
• US associates/counsel and partners
• US staff
• External vendors and coaches
• Global training and inclusion teams

Job description
Role and responsibilities

• Partner with the Sr PD manager and other stakeholders to plan, coordinate, and execute attorney training programs for legal departments and practice groups, early career universities, pro bono and experiential learning programs across the Americas and support other related PD initiatives as needed.
• Serve as the firm’s U.S. CLE and bar compliance subject-matter resource, providing guidance on CLE rules, reporting requirements, and attorney compliance records for U.S.-admitted attorneys and applicable foreign legal consultants.
• Work to continuously improve the firm’s CLE accreditation and provider-status processes, leveraging technology and streamlined workflows to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Oversee accredited-provider status in key jurisdictions, including preparation and submission of year-end reports, renewals, provider applications, and other mandatory filings to maintain good standing.
• Coordinate with internal program owners and external training providers to secure CLE approval/credit, confirm credit categories, and ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Coordinate CLE operational administration and recordkeeping, including attendance tracking/sign-in documentation, certificate requests, and collection/maintenance of attorney compliance data (bar admissions, graduation dates, registration deadlines, certificates of good standing, etc.).
• Maintain accurate CLE compliance data in CE Manager and prepare jurisdiction-specific CLE reports and supporting documentation for relevant state boards.
• Audit and maintain CLE program files to ensure documentation meets applicable CLE rules and firm record standards.
• Monitor regulatory changes and liaise with state CLE boards to stay current on procedure updates, new requirements, and rule changes; communicate deadlines and updates to attorneys and internal stakeholders.
• Partner with the Belfast compliance team on annual compliance survey processes for U.S. attorneys and staff.
• Facilitate vendor relationships and accounts supporting CLE and training, including the PLI account (roster management, privileged membership administration) and external content providers and programming vendors.
• Collaborate with marketing and business development team on client CLE programming as needed to support compliant CLE presentations.
• Collaborate with office of the general counsel on maintaining CLE intranet resources.
• Support PD budget and expense tracking in coordination with PD senior manager and the HR and finance teams.

Key requirements

• At least 3 years’ experience in the professional development area in a law firm with experience in the training and legal compliance/CLE areas. Experience with CE manager a plus.
• Collaborative, resilient, high energy, team player with the ability to work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Equal employment opportunity, including Veterans and Disability

A&O Shearman is an equal opportunity employer, including Veterans and Disability. Every individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all aspects of an individual’s relationship with A&O Shearman, including, without limitation, recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

If you are vision-impaired or have another disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law and wish to discuss accommodations related to applying for employment at A&O Shearman, please contact US HR Transactions at US-HRTransactions@aoshearman.com or call +1 212 610 6300 and ask for HR Transactions. This position is open to our New York or Washington, D.C. offices. For individuals assigned to or hired for this opportunity in New York, the estimated annualized base salary range for this position is $86,000-$107,000. For individuals assigned to or hired for this opportunity in Washington, D.C., the estimated annualized base salary range for this position is $84,000-$106,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on the overall qualifications of the individual applicant for the position and other job-related factors permitted by law. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes a discretionary bonus, paid leave, life, health, accident, and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.