Recruiting top talent in a competitive and rapidly evolving legal market requires innovation, strategy, and a deep understanding of what today’s law students want. Jackson Walker LLP, the largest law firm in Texas, has embraced this challenge by combining its commitment to community-driven hiring with cutting-edge technology. Meghan Pier, Director of Associate Recruiting, shares how the firm’s approach to pipeline building and their partnership with Flo Recruit have transformed their recruiting process. Meghan sat down with Flo Recruit’s SVP, Operations & People, Christina Wells, to talk about everything from attracting top 1L talent to streamlining workflows and staying ahead of industry trends. This Q&A offers valuable insights for firms looking to elevate their recruitment strategies and build lasting connections with top future legal talent.
Q: Tell us a little bit about Jackson Walker’s summer program.
Meghan Pier: Jackson Walker’s summer program is a cornerstone of our recruiting efforts. It’s a nine-week experience running from mid-May to mid-July, and we host summer associates across all our major Texas offices. We equally recruit 1Ls and 2Ls, reflecting our commitment to building a robust pipeline of talent.
For us, 1L recruiting is particularly strategic. Texas is home to some of the nation’s top law schools, and we’re passionate about connecting early with exceptional talent. Flo Recruit has been instrumental in helping us build a candidate pipeline by providing visibility to students nationwide, particularly those researching firms with strong Texas ties.
Our approach to recruiting goes beyond the summer program—we also run initiatives for high school and undergraduate pre-law students. Jackson Walker is deeply rooted in the community, and we prioritize candidates who share that passion for making a positive impact.
Q: How have you seen summer recruiting evolve in recent years?
Meghan Pier: The landscape of summer recruiting has changed dramatically, particularly since COVID. Previously, you’d see industry updates every five years or so. Now, it feels like there’s a major shift every year. Staying ahead requires being involved in organizations like NALP, engaging with local groups, and keeping a pulse on industry trends.
When I first learned about Flo Forward, I knew it was what law students needed. This generation has access to more information than ever before and relies on platforms like Flo Forward to conduct research in their limited spare time. It’s a game-changer, enabling students to explore firms thoughtfully and thoroughly and apply to jobs, all in one place.
Q: How has Flo Recruit helped Jackson Walker stay ahead in this rapidly changing landscape?
Meghan Pier: Flo Recruit has been a key partner in helping us to recruit national talent for our Texas offices. The platform makes it easy for students from out-of-state schools to discover Jackson Walker and explore their connections to Texas.
Flo Forward, specifically, has transformed how we engage with students. It acts as a law student job board (something that didn’t exist before), bringing everything—job postings, firm profiles, and event details—into one interactive platform. This has been invaluable for students researching firms, and for us, as we identify candidates with strong Texas ties.
Additionally, Texas operates on a faster recruiting timeline than many other regions, so tools like Flo Forward help us remain competitive. Schools with Texas-focused clubs often educate students on the importance of starting early, and Flo Recruit ensures we’re part of that conversation from the beginning.
Q: What makes Flo Forward stand out in comparison to other platforms on the market?
Meghan Pier: Flo Forward offers features that other platforms lack. First, it combines job postings with event promotion, which gives firms more opportunities to engage directly with students. Second, it’s interactive—both students and firms can participate actively with firms able to highlight key information through firm content, videos, upcoming events and new job listings at any time for students to check out. This goes beyond the static bios you find on other sites.
The ability to host everything in one place is a major advantage. Students can access firm information, apply for jobs, and see upcoming events in their area and nationwide. This centralization saves time for everyone involved and ensures students are well-prepared when they interview.
Q: Jackson Walker places a strong emphasis on 1L recruiting. How does Flo Forward support that focus?
Meghan Pier: Flo Forward aligns perfectly with our emphasis on 1L recruiting. It helps us connect with students early in their law school journey, which is critical for building long-term relationships. For example, we often ask students during interviews about their connections to Texas. Flo Forward makes it easy to identify those students who are genuinely interested in returning to Texas, whether they’re attending in-state or national schools. Students can filter to an office location like Austin, find Jackson Walker among our competitors, and read about what makes our program unique. Maybe they sign up for a networking event on campus where they see we'll have a booth. On the backend, we track that they came by the booth, see that an attorney noted they had a great conversation, and invite them to apply with a "high potential”.
Q: How has Flo Recruit impacted your team’s day-to-day work?
Meghan Pier: One of the biggest advantages is the time saved for both recruiters and attorneys. Flo Recruit allows us to be more strategic upfront. Attorneys can review candidate information in advance, and recruiters can focus on higher-level tasks rather than getting bogged down in spreadsheets. The feedback tools within Flo Recruit also help us collect more detailed and actionable insights on candidates, which streamlines decision-making.
Q: What was the process of implementing Flo Forward like?
Meghan Pier: Setting up our profile on Flo Forward was incredibly easy. For me, advocating for the investment was straightforward because it’s an industry-standard tool. In a competitive market, you can’t afford to let other firms gain an advantage by using technology you’re not leveraging. Plus, the time savings and efficiency gains make it a smart investment.
The recruiting budget covered the cost, and I was able to build a solid business case for it. Beyond just saving time, it helps recruiters and attorneys focus on strategic tasks that add more value to our hiring process.
Q: How does Flo Recruit align with Jackson Walker’s long-term goals?
Meghan Pier: Pipeline programs are my passion, and Flo Recruit has been a fantastic partner in sourcing diverse talent and building strong connections early. Jackson Walker excels at playing the long game, and tools like Flo Recruit support that by helping us identify and nurture relationships with promising candidates from high school to undergraduate through to law school, and beyond.
Ultimately, our goal is to hire candidates who will not only be exceptional lawyers but are also deeply connected to their communities. Flo Recruit helps us achieve that by enabling us to reach the right students, at the right time, with the right message.
In Summary
Jackson Walker’s innovative approach to recruiting highlights the importance of staying ahead in a fast-paced and competitive legal landscape. By combining strategic pipeline programs with tools that connect directly to today’s tech-savvy law students, the firm ensures they attract and retain top talent who are passionate about their communities. For firms looking to make meaningful connections with the next generation of legal talent, Jackson Walker sets a powerful example of how to do it right by partnering with Flo Recruit.
