Executive Search Associate​/Legal Headhunter – Partner Level Search

Overview

Executive Search Associate / Legal Headhunter – Partner Legal Search

New York | Flexible / Hybrid | High Six-Figure Trajectory

This is not associate-level recruitment.

This is elite, partner-level executive search in the world’s most lucrative legal market.

My client is expanding its US partner practice, and we’re hiring ambitious, commercially driven search professionals to help build one of the most exciting legal executive search platforms in New York. They are a global search firm that has 20+ years of experience placing Partners globally.

If you want bigger fees, senior conversations, faster progression, and real upside, read on.

You’ll work exclusively on partner and team moves for top-tier US and global law firms.

Their searches are:

• Partner-only (or full team lift-outs)
• Retained
• Frequently multi-partner mandates
• With average fees around $500k and regular $1m+ deals

You’ll be embedded in a highly entrepreneurial team, with direct exposure to:

• AmLaw Top 50 firms
• Board-level and managing partner decision-makers
• Some of the biggest legal moves in the US market

As an Executive Search Associate / Legal Headheunter , you will:

• Map senior legal markets at partner level
• Headhunt and engage elite candidates discreetly
• Build trusted relationships with high-performing partners
• Screen and assess candidates at a senior, commercial level
• Manage candidate processes alongside senior consultants
• Progress to running your own searches and mandates
• Originate candidates and opportunities that convert into fees

This role would suit someone who wants to step upmarket fast and grow into a full search consultant / partner-track role. They can offer a career path for individuals to go down career research path too

We’re interested in people with:

• Executive search or professional services recruitment experience
• A strong track record in research, delivery, or 360 recruitment
• Experience in adjacent sectors (consulting, finance, accounting, IB, PE) is highly attractive
• Commercial intelligence, confidence, and real hunger to progress

If you’re currently doing:

• Research but want more responsibility and upside
• 360 recruitment but feel capped at associate / mid-level work
• Professional services recruitment and want bigger fees and faster growth

— this is your move.

• Base salary: $70,000–$80,000 USD
• Full US benefits, including medical
• Discretionary bonus: typically $10k–$20k
• Commission on fees once you’re running processes
• No threshold
• Commission Paid in real time
• Clear, fast-track progression to:
  Consultant / Principal / Partner (partners earn ~70% of billings)

Top performers here don’t wait years — some reach partner in ~3 years.

• Flexible, trust-based culture
• Hybrid working
• New Manhattan office launching alongside team growth
• International platform with major credibility across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia

Because this is where serious legal Search professionals go to do serious work.

• No low-value deals
• No ceiling on earnings
• No glass ceiling on progression

Just high-calibre people, high-impact searches, and exceptional financial upside.