Manager Legal Lateral Recruiting - $115K+ at livingHR in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
This is a full-desk legal executive search role — a high-autonomy, high-accountability position that blends business development, client advisory, and talent sourcing. It's best suited for an experienced recruiter ready to own outcomes rather than execute tasks.
Compensation benchmarking: The $71K–$115K base is in line with mid-to-senior agency recruiter salaries, but the real earning potential lies in the commission structure. Top legal search professionals at boutique firms can earn $200K–$400K+ total compensation. If you have an established AmLaw network, this role's uncapped incentive model is a meaningful upside.
Skills developed:
- Executive-level client advisory and C-suite stakeholder management
- Deep expertise in law firm economics, lateral partner moves, and GC succession planning
- Market mapping and competitive talent intelligence
- Full-cycle search management in a confidential, high-stakes environment
Culture signals: livingHR presents as a growth-stage boutique — entrepreneurial, mission-driven, and genuinely remote-first. The emphasis on "individual contributor" and self-management suggests a lean team with limited management overhead, which is a green flag for experienced professionals who don't need hand-holding.
Green flags: 23 paid holidays is well above average, telehealth mental health support is a thoughtful benefit, and the WfWiMS policy signals trust in employees. Watch for: commission structure details aren't disclosed; clarify payout thresholds and split structures before accepting.
Location: Remote (FL, CO, IL, MA, NH, RI, ME, CT, GA, SC, NC, TX, TN) — The position can be based in any of the approved markets/states listed above.
Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Base salary $71,000–$115,000 plus incentives
We offer a competitive base salary complemented by a performance-driven commission structure tied to successful placements. This role is tailored for a strong individual contributor who wants a compensation model that scales directly with their search delivery and results.
Who We Are…
livingHR is the remote-first, professional services "work agency" created to make work better. We partner with organizations to deliver human-centric, future-of-work-ready HR managed services, executive search, and talent solutions.
Our Legal Search practice focuses on placing high-caliber legal leadership — including lateral law firm partners and General Counsel — who shape the future of organizations.
We believe in taking exceptional care of our people so they can deliver exceptional outcomes for clients, partners, and communities. We are adaptable, entrepreneurial, and always looking to iterate and improve. If you thrive in a fast-moving, performance-based environment and believe variety is the spice of life, you will likely enjoy our way of working.
To learn more about our Culture Code, Cares Campaign, and our WeBelong work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, visit: https://livinghr.com/
As a Full-Time Team Member, We Offer You:
- Autonomy & Flexibility — We call it WfWiMS: "Work from Where it Makes Sense." This flexibility comes with responsibility to self-manage and perform at a high level.
- Compensation — Competitive, fair, and transparent base salary plus incentives for successful placements.
- Comprehensive Benefits — Medical, dental, 401k, STD/LTD, life insurance, and telehealth mental health counseling.
- Flexible PTO / Paid Holidays — Minimum PTO usage encouraged plus 23 paid holidays.
- A Culture of Impact and Humanity — We care about the impact we make and the humanity we extend to each other, our clients, and our community.
Position Overview
livingHR is seeking a high-performing, agency-experienced Manager, Legal Lateral Recruiting to join our growing Executive Search practice. This is a full-desk role requiring demonstrated success in:
- Recruiting lateral law firm partners and legal executives
- Placing General Counsel and Deputy GC talent
- Managing external client relationships
- Delivering exceptional legal talent for our clients
You will operate as a trusted search advisor — leading searches, building client relationships, and delivering exceptional legal talent to help clients secure high-caliber legal leadership. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a performance-based environment and wants to build something meaningful within a modern, human-centered firm.
Core Responsibilities
Search Strategy & Selection
- Lead full-cycle searches for lateral law firm partners and practice groups
- Lead full-cycle searches for General Counsel and Deputy GC roles
- Conduct market mapping, competitive intelligence, and talent landscape analysis
- Develop search strategies aligned to client business objectives
- Manage highly confidential and sensitive searches with discretion and professionalism
Client Advisory & Account Management
- Serve as a trusted advisor to law firm leaders, corporate executives, and boards
- Partner with clients on succession planning and strategic legal talent needs
- Provide executive-level communication and search updates
- Deliver consultative guidance on compensation, law firm economics, and partner portability
Candidate Experience & Relationship Building
- Build and maintain deep relationships with high-performing legal leaders
- Deliver an exceptional, white-glove candidate experience
- Serve as a trusted advisor to candidates navigating confidential transitions
- Maintain accurate CRM documentation, search tracking, and reporting
Role Requirements
- 5+ years of legal or executive search experience, ideally in an agency or external search firm environment
- Demonstrated success recruiting lateral law firm partners and/or General Counsel and senior in-house legal leadership
- Strong understanding of law firm economics, partner portability, lateral hiring dynamics, and corporate legal department structures
- Track record of meeting or exceeding placement goals
- Ability to operate independently in a remote, performance-driven environment
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and advisory skills
- High level of discretion and integrity when handling confidential searches
- Willingness to travel occasionally as business needs require
What Sets You Apart
- Strong business acumen and a client-first mindset
- Established network within AmLaw firms and corporate legal departments
- Passion for modernizing legal search through a human-centered, future-of-work lens
Why livingHR?
- Remote-first flexibility
- Opportunity to grow within a growing executive search practice
- Collaborative, modern professional services environment
- Performance-driven culture with meaningful earning potential
- A mission focused on making work better
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
This role is primarily performed in a remote setting and requires the ability to:
- Work at a computer for extended periods
- Communicate clearly and effectively through digital platforms
- Participate regularly in video meetings
- Travel occasionally to client sites
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the role.
What You Can Expect
While we wish we could personally respond to every candidate, we will only reach out to candidates who meet or exceed the requirements and align with our approved markets.
Resources & Staying Connected
Career Transition Portal: https://livinghr.com/career-transition-portal
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/livinghr/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinghrinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livinghrinc/
Careers page: https://livinghr.com/careers
If you need assistance or accommodations with this application, contact [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
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