LAW FIRM SEARCHES

The Counsel Group draws upon decades of combined experience to assist Am Law 100 firms with their strategic lateral partner needs. We utilize a comprehensive database to quickly identify lateral partner candidates based on education, experience and practice specialty. Then we reach out to partners and provide interested attorneys with detailed reports regarding each firm's practices, clients and financial performance. When partners are interested in moving forward, we analyze their practices and business metrics and present a comprehensive profile of the candidate to firms. From there, our recruiters guide attorneys through the lateral process and help the parties reach an agreement, resulting in a successful hire.

MATCHING ATTORNEYS WITH OPPORTUNITIES

The Counsel Group also assists law firm partners who are interested in making a lateral move. Our services are highly personalized and specific to each attorney’s practice. We have extensive contacts at Am Law 100 firms and match partners with firms based upon firms’ strategic lateral hiring goals, practice capabilities, financial performance, and profitability. Our goal is to help partners expand their practices and client base with a platform which provides the best possible  professional and personal fit.

INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED RÉSUMÉS AND BUSINESS PLANS

Many partners will use their law firm online bio as a substitute for a résumé when approaching a new firm. While this approach is acceptable in many cases, we encourage attorneys to prepare a detailed résumé and business plan before contacting prospective firms. We help attorneys draft individually tailored résumés and business plans to bring the full potential of each partner’s practice into focus for the purpose of educating executive committee members and practice group leaders as to the dynamics of each partner’s practice. 

CONFIDENTIALITY

All communications with The Counsel Group are strictly confidential. Our communications are limited to interested candidates and prospective law firms. When submitting candidate information to law firms, we stress the need for the highest level of confidentiality.

LATERAL PARTNER QUESTIONNAIRES

Law firms typically ask partners to complete a Lateral Partner Questionnaire (LPQ) during the interview process. The LPQ will seek extensive biographical, professional, billing and client information. We actively work with lateral partner candidates to draft LPQs which accurately capture the full scope of each partner’s practice. Timely completion of the LPQ reflects favorably on a partner’s professionalism. Extended delays in returning an LPQ can create a negative impression and should be avoided. Partners should strive to complete and return LPQs within seven days. 

OFFERS

Multiple issues can arise when a candidate receives an offer to join a new firm. Candidates should be aware that most offers are conditional and subject to a satisfactory reference check and possibly a background check. Additionally, should a candidate accept an offer, the partners of the new firm must usually vote on whether to admit the candidate to the partnership. Candidates should not resign from their present position until all of the conditions have been satisfied and the offer has become unconditional.

Once an attorney accepts an offer, additional ethical and insurance issues arise. Some of these issues are briefly identified below.

ETHICAL ISSUES

There are a number of ethical considerations surrounding when and how partners should notify their present firm and clients of their decision to join a new firm. We encourage lateral candidates to visit our Articles page and read ABA Formal Opinion 489 - Obligations Related to Notice When Lawyers Change Firms. If you have any questions regarding your duties and obligations to your present firm and when to notify clients of an impending lateral move, you should seek legal advice from a licenced professional in your jurisdiction. No one at The Counsel Group LLC is licensed to provide legal advice. 

PRIOR ACTS INSURANCE COVERAGE

There are serious professional liability coverage issues when an attorney makes a lateral move to another firm. Many law firms clearly state that they will not provide prior acts coverage to incoming lateral partners. We encourage you to visit our Articles page and read An Attorney’s Guide to Understanding Lawyers’ Professional Liability Insurance. If you have any questions regarding appropriate prior acts insurance coverage, you should seek legal advice and insurance advice from licensed professionals in your jurisdiction. No one at The Counsel Group LLC is licensed to provide legal advice or insurance advice.