About Gravis Law
Gravis Law is a modern, people-centered law firm committed to making world-class legal services accessible and uncomplicated. With offices across multiple states and a growing team of attorneys and professionals, we are building something different — a firm where culture, compliance, and community matter as much as results. If you want to shape how a growing multi-office law firm takes care of its people, this is your seat at the table.
The Role
The Director of Human Resources is a key member of Gravis's Operations team. Reporting to the General Counsel, this role is responsible for leading and executing all human resources strategies, policies, and programs across our multi-office, multi-jurisdiction practice. You will ensure legal and ethical compliance, develop HR infrastructure, and foster a high-performance, inclusive culture that reflects Gravis's mission and values.
This is a hands-on leadership role for a seasoned HR professional who thrives in a dynamic, multi-state environment and brings both critical thinking and operational execution to the table.
What You'll Do
HR Leadership
- Develop and execute HR strategies and annual plans that align with Gravis's business and practice-group goals.
- Establish and track HR metrics — including turnover, time-to-fill, engagement, and diversity indicators — to evaluate HR initiatives and drive continuous improvement.
Hiring and Onboarding
- Partner with hiring partners and managers to define role requirements and selection criteria consistent with Gravis's standards and values.
- Contribute to and help refine our onboarding experience to ensure new team members feel welcomed, informed, and set up for success from day one.
Employee Relations and Performance Management
- Provide thoughtful, solutions-focused guidance to attorneys, managers, and staff on employee relations issues, performance concerns, and workplace conflict, escalating matters to the General Counsel as appropriate.
- Partner closely with managers on performance improvement plans and difficult employment decisions — including progressive discipline and separations — ensuring those processes are handled with fairness, consistency, documentation, and care.
- Investigate and resolve workplace complaints and concerns in a timely, thorough, and impartial manner, maintaining appropriate documentation and confidentiality.
HR Operations
- Manage employee benefits programs — health, dental, vision, retirement, leave programs, and wellness initiatives — including renewals, audits, open enrollment, and vendor relationships.
- Oversee accurate and timely payroll processing and HRIS data integrity in coordination with Finance and Accounting.
Cross-Department Coordination
- Maintain HR and Legal Operations intranet pages with updated training materials and documentation.
- Support the annual workers' compensation audit with employee, location, payroll, and classification data.
Policy Development, Compliance, and Risk Management
- Develop, update, and communicate HR policies, procedures, and the employee handbook to reflect current employment laws, bar requirements, and Gravis practices.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local labor and employment laws and regulations across all Gravis locations — including wage and hour, EEO, FMLA/leave, and safety requirements.
- Monitor legal trends and best practices in HR and law-firm employment risk, recommending policy updates or training to mitigate exposure.
Training, Development, and Culture
- Design and implement training programs for managers and staff on topics including interviewing, performance management, anti-harassment, diversity and inclusion, and HR policy.
- Lead Gravis's Professional Development Planning (PDP) program by building and maintaining the frameworks, templates, and tools managers need to conduct meaningful development conversations with their teams.
- Champion a positive, respectful, and inclusive culture that reflects Gravis's values and supports engagement and retention across all locations.
HR Team Leadership and Administration
- Lead, mentor, and develop the HR team, assigning responsibilities, overseeing workflows, and delivering regular performance feedback and evaluations.
- Develop and manage the HR department budget, ensuring effective use of resources and measurable return on HR investments and vendor partnerships.
- Maintain accurate HR records, reports, and documentation — including personnel files, compliance records, and HR metrics — in support of audit readiness and data-driven decision-making.
Gravis-Specific Responsibilities
- Coordinate with the General Counsel on workplace investigations that may have legal implications and on disciplinary decisions involving attorneys and staff.
- Support integration of lateral attorneys and acquired firms, including due-diligence input on HR matters and the integration of staff into Gravis HR systems.
What You Bring
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required; master's degree preferred.
- Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible HR experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role; prior experience in a law firm or professional services environment strongly preferred.
- Professional HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of HR best practices and employment laws in multi-state environments.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement HR strategies and policies that support organizational goals.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influence skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility at all levels.
- Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion and professionalism.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience with HR metrics, reporting, and HRIS systems.
- Effective team-leadership and coaching skills with a track record of developing HR staff.
- High level of organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Working Conditions
Standard office environment in a professional law-firm setting. Occasional travel to other Gravis offices may be required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
A Note on Our Culture
At Gravis Law, we believe the best firms are built by people who genuinely care — about their colleagues, their clients, and the communities they serve. We value candor, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Our HR Director won't just administer policies; they will help us build a place where people want to grow.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the person in this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Gravis Law reserves the right to amend or modify the job description as needed to meet business and legal requirements.
Gravis Law is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
