Practice Development Lawyer, Bankruptcy & Restructuring

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is searching for a self-starting and highly motivated Practice Development Lawyer (“PDL”) with at least 5 years of experience as a bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer. The PDL supports the Bankruptcy and Restructuring group’s practice by overseeing and running the group’s knowledge management (“KM”), overseeing and managing the group’s training programs, supporting the group’s business development (“BD”) and professional development activities, and supporting the substantive development and growth of the group’s associates. The PDL is primarily not working on client matters and the role is outside of the standard associate track and will be compensated accordingly. Partial remote arrangements considered.

Job Description

Knowledge Management (“KM”)

Standard Forms, Annotated Models, Precedents, Checklists, and Other Work Tools

The PDL manages the creation and updating of standard forms, annotated models, and other work tools. This includes working with group members to determine what standard forms, models and tools need to be created and updated and which to prioritize, developing a work plan, and managing the execution of the plan (which will include overseeing the work of associates). This also includes developing a system for periodic reviews and updates, including adding new provisions to address changes in law or in business practices.

The Bankruptcy Group Wiki

The PDL is the keeper of the Bankruptcy group’s internal wiki in all respects. The PDL determines and manages how the content should be organized and labeled to best serve the group’s needs, what content should be added, when content should be taken down or modified, and how content should be collected. The PDL takes feedback from users and educates the group on what is there and how to access it to encourage the best utilization.

Training Programs

Working with the Bankruptcy seniors, the PDL is responsible for organizing and overseeing the group’s formal training programs, including the annual first year training program, the recurring junior and mid-level trainings, and response-to-demand trainings. The PDL is also responsible for organizing and managing the [group-wide weekly meetings] including the training component of those meetings. The PDL will solicit and gather input from group members regarding training needs and work with the senior members of the group to determine how to facilitate and deliver the training. The PDL may also be involved in the development of content and assisting and managing associates in developing content and delivering trainings. Training will include both substantive law training, as well as training on skills, best practices, managing workloads, cases, and teams, working with others and with clients, and Business Development.

Business Development (“BD”) and Professional Development

The PDL assists in the group’s business development activities which include supporting and assisting in preparing, developing content for, and executing external presentations (Cleary sponsored and otherwise), preparing “Client Alerts”, writing articles, and developing and writing other “thought leader” materials (such as the Cleary Corporate Governance Group’s annual “memo to board of directors”, and the Cleary quarterly legal developments newsletter). The PDL will also assist with client-specific BD such as preparing pitch decks and materials for one-on-one meetings with clients. The PDL will also support designing, planning, and executing other business and professional development activities such as client roundtables, CLE postings, and professional association events.

Development and Growth of Associates

The PDL plays a significant role in the development and growth of the Bankruptcy group associates both through the activities described above and by serving as a resource, source of support, and problem-solver for the associates. The PDL will work closely with the Bankruptcy group’s Associate Development Manager (“ADM”), who works one-on-one with the associates on their development and growth as lawyers, as professionals, and as members of the Cleary community. The Bankruptcy group ADM manages the assignment function, the planning and managing of vacations and other absences, and associates’ well-being.

Liaison Functions

All of the activities described above require the PDL to be an excellent communicator as well as an excellent listener. In addition to the interactions within the Bankruptcy group, the PDL will be a key liaison to the firm’s broader KM team, BD team, library and information resources team, IT team, events planning team, alumni relations team, legal education/CLE team, recruiting team, and DEI team. The PDL will also collaborate with other PDLs and all members of Practice Development throughout the firm to develop and disseminate best practices and facilitate knowledge sharing.

Required Skills

The PDL is a key supporting member of the practice group. The individual must be a self-starter, disciplined, have good communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to take direction and give direction, to lead and to follow. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have:

• Been admitted to and in good standing with New York State Bar.
• Substantial knowledge of U.S. bankruptcy and restructuring law and familiarity with both in-court and out-of-court restructurings
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong presentation skills
• Attention to detail and organizational skills
• Strong service orientation
• Ability to solve problems, including situations involving collaboration with attorneys and non-legal staff/departments.

Salary Range: $250,000 – $300,000 depending on experience.