Senior Manager of Professional Staff Recruiting at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP: High-Paying California Opportunity

Discover the Senior Manager of Professional Staff Recruiting position at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, a prestigious international law firm with key offices in California. Posted on August 28, 2025, this role offers a competitive salary of $160,000 to $200,000 annually and focuses on talent acquisition for professional staff and paralegals. Ideal for experienced recruiting professionals, this ongoing opportunity highlights Orrick’s commitment to building top-tier non-attorney teams in the legal sector.

Introduction

The Senior Manager of Professional Staff Recruiting role at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP represents a prime career advancement for talent acquisition experts in the legal industry. Based in California, this position oversees recruitment for professional staff, including paralegals, administrative professionals, and support roles essential to law firm operations. With a salary range of $160,000 to $200,000 per year, it aligns with high-demand recruiting manager salaries in California’s competitive legal market.

Orrick, a global law firm founded in 1863, specializes in technology, finance, and corporate law, employing over 1,400 lawyers across 25 offices worldwide, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Silicon Valley locations. This job posting, active on an ongoing basis, invites applications through Orrick’s Staff and Paralegal Opportunities Listings. For professionals in law firm staff recruiting or paralegal talent acquisition, this role offers stability, impact, and lucrative compensation in one of the nation’s top legal markets.

Why This Role Stands Out

In California’s talent-driven economy, where legal recruiting demands expertise in sourcing specialized skills, the Senior Manager position emphasizes strategic hiring. Orrick accepts application packages continuously, ensuring flexibility for qualified candidates. This introduction sets the stage for understanding the job’s scope, requirements, and pathway to success.

Analysis

Analyzing the Senior Manager of Professional Staff Recruiting role reveals its pivotal function in Orrick’s human resources strategy. This senior-level position manages end-to-end recruitment processes for non-legal professional staff, from sourcing candidates to onboarding. Responsibilities likely include developing sourcing strategies, partnering with hiring managers, conducting interviews, and leveraging applicant tracking systems (ATS) tailored to legal environments.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment for paralegals, IT specialists, finance professionals, and administrative staff across California offices.
• Build talent pipelines using LinkedIn, industry networks, and legal job boards.
• Analyze recruitment metrics to optimize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, a priority for modern law firms like Orrick.
• Collaborate with HR teams to forecast staffing needs amid California’s dynamic legal landscape.

Required Qualifications

Candidates typically need 8-10 years of recruiting experience, with 5+ years in legal or professional services. A bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or a related field is standard, often complemented by certifications like SHRM-CP or LinkedIn Recruiter expertise. Proficiency in California labor market trends, such as high demand for tech-savvy paralegals in IP and tech practices, is essential.

The $160,000-$200,000 salary reflects market rates verified by sources like Glassdoor and Salary.com, where recruiting manager salaries in California law firms average $150,000-$220,000, adjusted for seniority and location premiums in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Summary

In summary, the Senior Manager of Professional Staff Recruiting at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is an ongoing California-based opportunity paying $160,000-$200,000 annually. It targets experienced talent acquisition leaders to staff paralegals and professional roles, supporting Orrick’s global operations. Applications are accepted continuously via the firm’s career portal, making it accessible for proactive job seekers in professional staff recruiting law firms.

Key Points

Practical Advice

To secure the Senior Manager of Professional Staff Recruiting position, tailor your application strategically. Start by reviewing Orrick’s Staff and Paralegal Opportunities Listings on their official careers site.

Application Steps

1. Customize your resume with quantifiable achievements, e.g., “Reduced time-to-hire by 30% for 50+ paralegal placements.”
2. Write a cover letter highlighting legal recruiting experience and knowledge of California employment trends.
3. Network via LinkedIn with Orrick HR professionals; mention mutual connections.
4. Prepare for interviews by researching Orrick’s practices in tech transactions and antitrust.
5. Submit packages including references, as Orrick accepts them on a rolling basis.

Skill Enhancement Tips

Boost your profile with tools like Bullhorn or iCIMS for legal ATS experience. Attend events like the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) conferences to gain insights into law firm recruiting best practices.

Points of Caution

While attractive, this role demands caution. California’s high cost of living, especially in Bay Area offices, offsets the salary—San Francisco’s median home price exceeds $1.3 million per Zillow data. Competition is fierce from Big Law firms like Cooley and Wilson Sonsini.

Potential Challenges

• Ongoing postings mean no fixed deadlines, risking overlooked applications.
• Expect rigorous vetting, including background checks standard in legal hiring.
• Work-life balance may vary; recruiting roles often involve peak-season pressures during associate cycles.

Verify all details on Orrick’s site to avoid scams mimicking legitimate postings.

Comparison

Compared to similar roles, Orrick’s Senior Manager position offers competitive edges. At Latham & Watkins, a talent acquisition manager salary ranges $155,000-$195,000 (Glassdoor), slightly lower but with similar California locations. Kirkland & Ellis lists comparable roles at $170,000-$210,000 in LA, emphasizing volume hiring.

Salary and Benefits Breakdown

Orrick stands out for its tech-focused culture, appealing to recruiters experienced in innovative sectors over traditional finance-heavy firms.

Legal Implications

California’s employment laws apply directly. Under the California Equal Pay Act (AB 22), salary transparency like this posting is mandated for jobs over $100,000 in certain postings. At-will employment governs, but Orrick adheres to FEHA anti-discrimination rules in recruiting.

Key Regulations

• Pay Equity: Salaries must be justified by experience, not gender or protected status.
• Overtime Exemptions: As a salaried exempt role under FLSA, no overtime eligibility.
• Background Checks: FCRA compliance required for consumer reports.

Candidates should review offers for non-compete clauses, limited in California by Business & Professions Code Section 16600.

Conclusion

The Senior Manager of Professional Staff Recruiting at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a gateway to leadership in law firm talent acquisition California. With a robust $160,000-$200,000 salary, strategic responsibilities, and ongoing applications, it suits seasoned recruiters ready to shape Orrick’s professional teams. Act now by applying through official channels to join a firm renowned for innovation and excellence.

FAQ