Director of Human Resources

Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP is seeking an experienced and hands-on Director of Human Resources to 

lead the Firm’s HR function. This is an important leadership role for a seasoned HR professional 

who brings excellent judgment, discretion, operational discipline, and the ability to serve as a 

trusted advisor to Firm leadership.

The Director of Human Resources will plan, lead, direct, develop, and coordinate the policies, 

activities, systems, and staff of the Human Resources department. The Director will ensure legal 

compliance, strengthen HR operations, support the Firm’s talent strategy, and foster Keker’s 

collaborative culture.

The position reports to the Firm’s Chief Operating and Financial Officer and will work closely with 

the Firm’s Managing Partner on Firm-wide human resources priorities. The Director will oversee all 

aspects of the Firm’s HR function, including employee relations, performance management, 

compliance, recruiting and onboarding, benefits, leaves and accommodations, compensation processes, 

HR systems, policies, and HR team leadership.

This is a high-impact role for someone who can operate both strategically and practically: advising 

leadership on sensitive personnel issues, improving systems and processes, mentoring the HR team, 

and rolling up their sleeves as needed.

Do You Have What It Takes?

The ideal candidate is a proactive, independent, and thoughtful HR leader with a proven track 

record of success in a professional-services environment. You bring strong knowledge of California 

and federal employment laws, sound risk assessment, and the confidence to be the authoritative 

voice of HR in leadership discussions.

You are comfortable working with partners, attorneys, managers, and staff at all levels. You know 

how to communicate clearly, diplomatically, and persuasively. You can handle confidential and 

sensitive matters with discretion. You are practical, solutions-oriented, and able to balance legal 

compliance, business judgment, fairness, and Firm culture. You enjoy building relationships,

solving problems, and improving how work gets done.

You will thrive here if you enjoy a fast-paced, dynamic, informal environment where excellence 

matters, relationships matter, and good judgment matters every day.

What You Will Do

• Lead the Firm’s Human Resources function and supervise the HR team.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Managing Partner, 

partners, attorneys, managers, and staff.

• Advise on employee relations, performance management, investigations, workplace conduct, 

disciplinary matters, separations, and other sensitive personnel issues.

• Ensure compliance with applicable California, San Francisco, and federal employment laws and HR 

requirements.

• Develop, update, and implement HR policies, practices, procedures, and employee 

communications.

• Oversee leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, disability interactive-process matters, 

and related compliance obligations.

• Oversee benefits administration, open enrollment, payroll coordination, compensation processes, 

HR records, HRIS, and HR reporting.

• Support recruiting, onboarding, retention, and professional development.

• Improve HR systems, processes, workflows, data integrity, and service delivery.

• Partner with Firm leadership on initiatives that support professional excellence, 

accountability, mutual respect, inclusion, and employee engagement.

• Provide coaching, guidance, and resources to managers and supervisors.

• Work with outside employment counsel, benefits advisors, recruiters, and other vendors as 

needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree and/or SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, SPHR, PHR, or similar HR 

certification preferred.

• Ten or more years of progressive HR experience, including leadership responsibility in employee 

relations, compliance, and HR operations.

• Prior HR leadership experience in a law firm or other professional services environment strongly 

preferred.

•  Extensive knowledge of California and federal employment law, including employee relations, 

leaves and accommodations, wage and hour compliance, performance management, and HR best practices.

• Demonstrated experience developing and improving HR programs, policies, and processes, including 

onboarding, performance management, compliance, benefits, HRIS, manager training, and employee 

relations.

• Experience advising executives, partners, or other senior leaders on complex people matters 

while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to 

influence decisions, build trust, and lead organizational change.

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced

environment.

Who We Are

Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP is a prominent San Francisco law firm devoted exclusively to complex

litigation. For more than 40 years, the Firm has litigated complex, high-stakes civil and criminal

cases throughout the nation. We take cases where companies, products, and careers are riding on

the result. Our clients include high-profile individuals and some of the world’s most successful

companies.

The Firm is known not only for its trial success, but also for the culture it maintains in its Jackson

Square office. Our office features brick and timber architecture, an eclectic modern art collection,

and an open-door policy. The environment is fast-paced, dynamic, informal, and highly

collaborative.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision,

life, and AD&D insurance, a 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid

time off, catered office lunches, and opportunities for professional development and growth.

As a firm, we recognize the importance of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal

profession, and we encourage and support lawyers and professional staff from all backgrounds,

inside and outside of our firm.

Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all

employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, color, national origin, ancestry,

sex, age, marital status, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or

expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $230,000 to $270,000, dependent on experience and

qualifications.

How to Apply

If you are interested in working with talented lawyers and staff in a high-performing litigation firm,

we would like to hear from you. Please submit your resume and cover letter to careers@keker.com.