Responsibilities

• Develop and execute proactive public relations strategies that elevate the region's leadership, subject matter expertise and growth priorities.
• Drive earned media focused on practice area successes, lateral partner and lawyer growth, milestones and thought leadership across priority sectors and themes.
• Translate complex legal and regulatory themes into clear, compelling narratives for business, legal and vertical industry media.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with top-tier national, legal and vertical trade reporters, as well as international contacts where appropriate.
• Prepare partners and senior leaders with messaging, briefing materials and media prep/training.
• Identify media trends and white-space opportunities that reinforce Clifford Chance's business priorities, position and reputation in the America's legal industry.
• Collaborate closely with social, digital and content colleagues to ensure earned media is amplified through social, owned and paid channels.
• Partner with business development and marketing teams to align messaging, timing and narrative consistency.
• Proactively identify, assess, and communicate potential areas of risk to protect the reputation of the firm.
• Provide issues and crisis communications support as needed, in coordination with Head of BC&PA, Americas.

Requirements

• 8-10 year's experience in B2B public relations, with at least four years' experience working in or on behalf of AmLaw 100 law firms.
• Strong media relations judgment, with the ability to identify, shape and execute opportunities that support business priorities, build reputation and strengthen market visibility.
• Proven ability to develop and execute external communications strategies for AmLaw 100 law firms, including partner visibility, practice/sector positioning, lateral partner announcements, deal/matter promotion and issues management.
• Strong understanding of the US legal media landscape, including relationships with reporters and editors covering Big Law, disputes, transactions, regulatory issues, lateral hiring, firm strategy and the business of law.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality press releases, media pitches, statements, talking points, Q&A documents, briefing materials and partner messaging with precision and sound judgment.
• Excellent news judgment, including the ability to distinguish between activity that is genuinely newsworthy and activity that may be better suited for other channels.
• Strategic advisory skills, with the confidence to counsel partners and senior stakeholders on media opportunities, reputational considerations, message discipline and realistic outcomes.
• Ability to connect external communications activity to firm priorities, including growth in the US market, priority practices, sectors, geographies and client-relevant themes.
• High level of attention to detail, with a strong commitment to accuracy, consistency, proofreading and quality control.
• Collaborative working style, with the ability to contribute positively to a small team while also raising standards, improving processes and driving stronger results.