We will help you find the right senior candidate for your firm

Agnew O’Brien has been heavily involved in senior level recruitment for many years and has guided numerous law firms in their search for candidates that best match both their immediate requirements and business drivers for the future. Our team is regularly instructed by law firms - of all shape and size across multiple jurisdictions - with respect to their senior end requirements, so fully appreciate the nature of such appointments and the difficulties in getting hires over the line. That’s why working with a recruiter who can act proactively on your behalf is essential. Further, we understand that every firm’s search is unique, and requires a slightly different strategy, as briefly outlined below.

Hiring established partners is a time consuming process and often market sensitive. As a result of our understanding and expertise of such moves, Agnew O’Brien can offer you a discreet, proactive service that ensures each and every eventuality is accounted for and handled appropriately. Talks can so often break down over the smallest details, that’s why it’s imperative you have an advisor that is able to communicate efficiently and clearly with all parties, whilst also reacting quickly to changing circumstances, ultimately offering sound and pragmatic advice. As well as supporting your firm throughout the interview process, our team is there to advise on business plans and package negotiations through to resignation and exit, all of which can be a complicated and potentially a deal breaker if not handled correctly. We are not afraid to ask the difficult questions, ensuring that both our client and candidates have all the information available to them at every stage.

Employing a senior associate or counsel as a partner or into a partner designate position often requires a different approach to that of moving established senior lawyers (who have already earned the badge!). You will need a recruiter on your side that has experience of such hires allied to the ability to source high calibre talent, adding tangible value throughout discussions. Such hires are often dependant on the specific needs of a firm, addressing their own capacity issues while ensuring that any individual hired has both the ability to handle workflow and generate new income streams. It is therefore vitally important to assess career experience and personal suitability accurately at the outset, while understanding candidate motivations and ambitions for the future. This approach is essential and when working with Agnew O'Brien, you will have confidence in the fact you are alongside an insightful, dedicated recruiter that knows what they are doing.

Recent Testimonials:

“I have had a great experience with James and not only because I am now a partner at a major law firm: James has an excellent knowledge of the market, is a good listener and assisted with all aspects of the recruitment process. He has been patient and effective – in other words, a great professional.”

Arbitration Partner

London

“James is a thoroughly professional and dedicated legal recruiter who thoroughly understands the offshore sector. He handled my search expertly, introducing me to multiple firms across the Caribbean, while advising on the merits of each opportunity and location. James was consultative and empathetic in his approach with a genuine focus on what was best for my career. I would recommend any lawyer looking to move internationally to speak with James.”

Barrister

British Virgin Islands

“James, has vast experience with the off-shore legal market. I used him in relation to my move from London to the Cayman Islands and highly recommend him. Not only does he have great knowledge of the off-shore market but due to his regular contact with law firms he is able to provide an insight into their way of thinking/ mind set . This is valuable when tailoring a CV, preparing for interview and reviewing an employment contract. James is also very pleasant and approachable.”

Structured Finance Counsel

Cayman Islands

“James assisted me with my move from New Zealand to Australia, securing multiple interviews and offers. He actively supported me from start to finish, working with me closely on the preparation of my CV and how to address different interview scenarios, as well negotiating my package and assisting with my exit. A genuine, 360-degree, consultative service from a recruiter who really knows his market.”

Insurance Associate

Sydney

“I wasn’t confident in using a smaller, “boutique” legal recruitment consultancy like Agnew O’Brien when embarking on my move, as felt larger agencies would have greater market penetration, despite some previous bad experiences. I was however recommended to James who quickly dispelled any hesitancy I had. Following a comprehensive and honest assessment of my career to date, business case and expectations, James picked up the phone to a some of his established clients and opened multiple doors. The process was handled with subtly and consideration from start to finish, resulting in receiving a great offer from a firm I had always regarded very highly. Thank you, James!”

Employment Partner

London

“I was given James’ name by a colleague who had worked with him previously. It was instantly apparent on speaking with James, that I was in safe hands. He clearly addressed the pros and cons of my proposed move from London to Hong Kong and what was realistically achievable. James was able to present a number of interesting opportunities that accurately matched my skill sets and ambitions for the future, one of which I ultimately accepted. Professional, personable and dedicated to his candidates, James is a legal recruiter of the highest calibre.”

Senior Banking Associate

Hong Kong

“On my qualification with a Magic Circle firm in London, my ambition was to relocate to Asia. I contacted Agnew O’Brien to see if they could assist with my search, as I noticed they had multiple vacancies advertised. They quickly established what options were open to me and secured several interviews with topflight international law firms, guiding me through the process and offering practical and timely advice along the way. I am now with a leading international law firm in Singapore and very happy. I would strongly recommend Agnew O’Brien to any lawyer looking to make a move internationally.”

Junior Banking & Finance Associate

Singapore

“James is an extremely capable recruiter with a friendly bedside manner. Insightful and proactive, he quickly located an opportunity that fitted my experience and career aspirations and guided me through the process step by step. Always on hand to answer any questions and quick to address any potential road bumps, it was an absolute pleasure to work with him and I couldn’t recommend James and his team highly enough to anyone looking to move offshore.”

Senior Disputes Counsel

British Virgin Islands

“James is an excellent recruiter. He is friendly, personable and is extremely knowledgeable on the Cayman Islands legal recruitment market. James has great connections with senior personnel across Magic Circle and mid-sized Cayman law firms and secured interviews for me and a role within an offshore Magic Circle law firm where there was no publicly advertised role. James’s experience of the Cayman legal market enabled him to deal with the entire recruitment process from initially connecting me with law firms, advising on the interview process, advising on options available post-interview and working with me all the way with me to address work permit issues. James clearly demonstrated that he is willing to go the extra mile for his clients. I would certainly recommend James as a recruiter to any onshore or offshore corporate lawyer seeking a private practice role in the Cayman Islands.”

Senior Regulatory Associate

Cayman Islands

“James has been the best recruiter I have ever met. He really took a definite interest in my candidacy and provided important insights on the recruitment process during our discussions. Apart from his professional skills, he is personable, friendly and supportive. Most importantly, he was capable of correcting my approach where needed and how to overcome weaknesses which may have adversely affected the interview procedure.I cannot thank him enough for always replying to my emails, hearing me out and offering ideas on how to handle various situations. Once again, thank you James!”

Corporate Associate

Hong Kong

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