What are the responsibilities and job description for the Professional Development Coordinator position at Smith Anderson?
Job Title: Professional Development Coordinator
Status: Non-Exempt
Type: Full Time
Reports To: Chief Talent Officer (CTO)
Smith Anderson is a well-established and dynamic mid-size law firm, providing top-tier legal services to clients across a range of industries. We value a collaborative, innovative, and an inclusive culture. We are looking for a Professional Development Coordinator to join our legal team. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, and thrive in a setting that demands accuracy, efficiency, and strong communication skills.
The Professional Development Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting the firm’s professional development strategy for its attorneys. This position is responsible for coordinating and supporting the day-to-day logistics of attorney development initiatives, including internal and external training programs, attorney evaluations, partnership admissions, leadership development opportunities, and wellness initiatives.
This role works closely with the Legal Recruiting & Professional Development Team (RPD Team) comprised of the Chief Talent Officer, Director of Legal Recruiting, and Legal Recruiting Coordinator as well as various committees, practice groups, and departments throughout the firm to ensure alignment with the firm’s culture, values, and strategic priorities.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Support the Chief Talent Officer with the non-partner mid-year and annual attorney review processes, including scheduling, coordination, documentation, and tracking.
- Assist in managing and coordinating the partnership admission process.
- Partner with the Education Committee to plan and facilitate in-house and external training for attorneys.
- Collaborate with practice groups and department leaders to coordinate internal and external educational programming.
- Work closely with the Lawyer Development Committee and Associate Committee on year-round professional development initiatives.
- Assist attorneys with CLE accreditation related to firm-sponsored programming.
- Serve as the firm’s primary contact for CLE-related inquiries.
- Coordinate and support firm-wide wellness initiatives and programs.
- Provide administrative and organizational support to the RPD Team.
- Create, maintain, and update departmental process documents, tracking reports, charts, and data.
- Assist with the Professional Development budget, including monthly credit card reconciliation.
- Monitor and report on trends in attorney development, leadership training, and wellness in the legal industry.
- Promote and contribute to a positive, collaborative, and supportive work environment.
Qualifications:
- 2–5 years of professional development or attorney support experience, preferably in a law firm or professional services environment.
- Knowledge of the legal industry and current trends in attorney development and training is preferred.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive matters.
- Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with a strong emphasis on Word and Excel.
- Experience with ViGlobal/Aderant, 3E, and iManage is preferred.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related work experience.
Smith Anderson is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse work force. It is the policy of this Firm to recruit, hire, train, develop, promote, and compensate employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, genetic information, disability or covered veteran status.