Macrae recruiters have an unparalleled understanding of the U.S. and international legal markets, enabling us to provide immediate value to candidates. On a weekly basis we meet with leaders at numerous Am Law 50 and top UK law firms, as well as an array of smaller elite firms, to discuss their lateral partner needs. Our uncommonly robust research and knowledge management team meticulously tracks every key aspect of the lateral partner market to contribute hard, up-to-the-minute data to our firmwide collective intelligence platform.

This means that we enter into every candidate interaction armed with the latest information about market trends and law firm developments, from which practice areas are currently most in-demand to which firms are investing heavily in lateral growth to changes in compensation systems. We aim to rapidly identify the opportunities and challenges candidates might face as they seek to advance their careers by making a lateral move. Then we expertly guide them through each step of the process.

Many of us are former practicing lawyers ourselves. We understand the full range of issues that impact decision-making, from the professional to the personal, and are optimally positioned to give substantive counsel on potential moves. We strive to form long-term relationships with candidates, and it’s not unusual for us to advise candidates over the course of months or even years before they go to market. While a significant proportion of the lawyers we work with come to us from personal referrals, we always welcome new enquiries. 

Why Macrae?

We continuously study how law firms differ from one another locally, nationally and internationally, through the dynamics of individual partners, culture, strategy, management, practices, compensation structures, operating performance, client base and other law firm differentiators. We know which law firms are accelerating and which are seeking to regain their stride. We share that information actively within our company so that all of our recruiters are equally informed and empowered.

We have decades of experience working with partners in the United States, United Kingdom and Western Europe and will offer impartial, informed and completely confidential advice on career options. We’re also happy to engage in a no-pressure discussion about the state of the legal market and potential opportunitie. While we specialize in placing partners, we are happy to advise senior law firm associates or counsel on theirpotential next steps for career progression.