About this opportunity
Akerman LLP lists this Director of Attorney Professional Development opportunity in chicago, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Director of Attorney Professional Development
Job Category : Human Resources
Requisition Number : DIREC
Posted : May 14, 2026
Full-Time
Locations
Showing 1 location
Chicago
Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Description
Founded in 1920, Akerman is recognized as one of the nation’s premier law firms, with more than 700 lawyers across the United States.
Akerman is seeking a Director of Attorney Professional Development. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Director of Attorney Professional
Development owns the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of professional development programming for all attorneys firmwide, from junior associates through equity partners. This is a newly created position reflecting the firm’s commitment to extending structured professional development beyond associates to include partners, of counsel, special counsel, and consultants. The Director will build programming that strengthens legal skills, leadership capabilities, business development acumen, and fluency with AI and emerging practice technologies. Working in close partnership with the Professional Development Council, Practice Group Chairs, the C-Suite, and the Akerman Intelligence platform, this role will shape a firmwide culture of continuous growth at every career stage.
Partner, Of Counsel & Consultant Development
In collaboration with Practice Group Chairs, design and deliver professional development programming tailored to partners, of counsel, special counsel, and consultants, including leadership development, practice management, business generation, and client relationship skills
Build programming that acknowledges the distinct developmental needs of senior attorneys, including transition to management responsibilities, cross-selling, succession planning, and adaptation to evolving practice technologies
Develop executive-level facilitation approaches appropriate for experienced professionals, including peer learning formats, structured coaching frameworks, and case-based workshops
Coordinate with the Lateral Partner Immersion Program Co-Chairs to ensure lateral partner hires receive ongoing professional development support beyond initial onboarding
Associate Development
In collaboration with the PDC, design and deliver a comprehensive curriculum for junior, mid-level, and senior associates aligned with Practice Group Chair benchmarks for progression
Work with the PDC and Legal Recruiting to support the Mentor Program by equipping mentors with training tools, resources, and accountability frameworks
Create structured development pathways that connect training milestones to associate advancement criteria
AI & Practice Technology Integration
Partner with the Akerman Intelligence platform to integrate AI fluency into professional development programming across all attorney levels
Design training that helps attorneys understand, evaluate, and effectively use AI and technology tools in their practices, including firm-approved platforms and emerging legal technology
Develop programming that addresses the practice transformation implications of AI, including workflow redesign, quality assurance, client communication about AI use, and ethical obligations
Leverage AI tools to enhance training design, delivery, and accessibility, including adaptive learning paths and on-demand resources
Firmwide Training Infrastructure
Facilitate live and virtual training sessions across skill domains including client management, leadership, financial literacy, and interpersonal effectiveness
Collaborate with C-Suite leadership to align training programming with firm strategic initiatives, including the Financial Fluency for Lawyers series and the Connections initiative
Create on-demand training content (e-learning modules, video resources, toolkits) to ensure accessibility for attorneys across all offices
Coordinate with third-party vendors to supplement internal programming as needed
Serve as the primary liaison between the PDC, Practice Group Chairs, and firm leadership on all matters related to attorney development
Measurement & Reporting
Develop and track performance indicators for training effectiveness, including participation rates, skill progression against benchmarks, and correlation with retention and engagement data
Provide regular reporting to the CHRO and firm leadership on program outcomes, emerging trends, and recommended adjustments
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Learning & Development, Organizational Development, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience). Advanced degree or J.D. a plus.
Experience
10+ years of professional development, training, or talent development experience, with meaningful exposure to law firm or professional services environments
Demonstrated experience designing and delivering professional development for senior professionals (partners, executives, or equivalent), not solely junior or associate populations
Track record of building programming that drives measurable behavioral change, not just completion metrics
Experience with change management and the organizational dynamics of introducing new development expectations to populations that have not historically participated in structured training
Familiarity with how AI and technology are reshaping professional services delivery; direct experience integrating technology-related content into development curricula strongly preferred
Experience in an AmLaw 100 or comparable professional services environment preferred
Skills & Abilities
Executive presence and credibility sufficient to engage equity partners and senior leaders as a development resource, not solely as a training coordinator
Ability to design and deliver engaging, interactive programming for both virtual and inperson audiences at all levels of seniority
Strong facilitation, communication, and presentation skills
Ability to build trusted relationships across a large, geographically distributed organization
Proficiency with video conferencing tools and the Microsoft 365 suite
Willingness to travel to Akerman offices for in-person programming as needed
Job Type: Full-Time; Monday - Friday (Hybrid)
Salary Range: The firm’s anticipated hiring range for this position is $180,000 – $220,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including position, geographic location, education, training, and experience.
Bonus: Discretionary holiday bonus
Benefits: Paid Time Off, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, 401k Profit Sharing Plan, and Transportation Program
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package.
EOE
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Worksite address
chicago, IL, 60290, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.