Big Law Life

#17: Big Law Lateral Recruiting Strategies with Kristina Lambright

Apr 24, 2024

48:41

In today’s episode, I discuss lateral growth, integration, and profitability strategies with Kristina Lambright, Associate Director of Lateral Recruiting at Jones Day.

Kristina spent a decade as a litigator before moving into a role developing and leading the pricing and legal project management (LPM) efforts at three AmLaw 50 firms, focusing on revenue growth and profitability. For the past five years, Kristina has overseen lateral partner hiring and integration.

At a glance:

01:20 - Kristina's transition from practicing litigator to taking on business roles within law firms
02:44 - Kristina’s career journey, highlighting the shift from practicing law to focusing on pricing and LPM to enhance law firm profitability and client engagement
05:42 - The importance of integrating pricing strategies with lateral partner hiring to ensure law firm growth and operational support
07:28 - Exploring the strategic roles of lateral recruiting and practice management in law firms, emphasizing profitability and client service alignment
10:23 - Challenges and strategies in aligning firm-wide priorities, particularly in managing and integrating lateral hires and practice growth
12:07 - Nuances of internal versus external recruiting processes and their impact on law firm dynamics and strategic hiring - what to expect when working with an internal v. external recruiter
14:41 - How law firms approach lateral hiring, including looking at office needs as well as practice needs
17:03 - The importance of a firm’s strategic plan for lateral moves and setting clear priorities within the firm to enhance targeted growth
19:41 - How clarifying a firm’s strategic priorities can impact successful lateral integration and practice development