For U.S. Government Candidates

We connect senior government attorneys with firms where they will thrive – both professionally and personally.

The Partner You Need to Make a Change.

Macrae is uniquely positioned to connect senior government attorneys with the world’s best law firms. Our recruiters understand the distinctive value and expertise that senior government attorneys bring to the private sector.

With many of our recruiters having worked as both government attorneys and in private practice, we are ideally positioned to assist with your transition, as we intimately understand the challenges and opportunities you face.

Combined with our unparalleled knowledge of both the U.S. and international legal markets, and the largest practice in Washington, D.C. dedicated to placing senior government attorneys into private practice, we are the partner you need to transition into Am Law 50/100 and top U.K. law firms in the region.

With decades of experience, we are well-connected to the top law firms in Washington, D.C., New York, the Bay Area, and the U.K., and have a proven track record of assisting senior government attorneys with their transition into private practice. We ensure that you are presented with a wide range of opportunities tailored to your experience, skillset, and career goals. Importantly, we know how to navigate the unique ethical and confidentiality issues you face when exploring a move from public service to the private sector. 

We’ve successfully placed attorneys from a wide range of government agencies and entities, including the Departments of Justice, Treasury, State, Commerce, Homeland Security, Interior, and Defense; federal agencies such as the FTC, SEC, FERC, and CFTC; and the Senate, House of Representatives, and White House. Our experience spans all levels of seniority, from top DOJ officials to trial counsel, and from commission chairs to congressional staff.

Why Macrae?

  • Since 2020, Macrae placed nearly 25% of government attorneys who transitioned into law firm partner and counsel roles.

  • Since 2020, we've placed 4 deputy assistant attorney generals from the DOJ into partner positions with Am Law 100 firms.

  • In the past 3 years, we've placed 6 section and unit chiefs from the SEC and DOJ into partner positions with Am Law 100 firms.

  • 78% of government attorneys we have placed have been into an Am Law 50 or Magic Circle firm

Our Track Record

Our recruiters have a strong track record of placing senior government attorneys from a diverse array of government agencies and entities into Am Law 50/100 firms and top UK law firms, including but not limited to:

    • A former US Attorney General to an Am Law 50 firm

    • A Deputy Attorney General to an Am Law 50 firm

    • 8 Deputy Assistant Attorney Generals from the DOJ to Am Law 50 firms 

    • 3 Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney Generals from the DOJ to Am Law 100 firms

    • Over 20 US Attorneys from various states to Am Law 100 firms

    • 8 AUSAs to Am Law 100 firms

    • A Secretary of the Department of the Interior to an Am Law 50 firm

    • A FERC Chairman to an Am Law 50 firm

    • 2 FTC Chairs to Am Law 100 firms

    • An FTC Commissioner to an Am Law 50 firm

    • 2 Deputy General Counsel from the CIA to an Am Law 100 firms

    • 3 General Counsel from the EPA to Am Law 50 firms

    • 2 General Counsel from the Federal Reserve to Am Law 50 firms

    • 13 Chiefs from various divisions of the DOJ and SEC to Am Law 100 firms

    • 9 Bureau Directors from various federal agencies to Am Law 100 firms

    • 3 Associate Directors from various federal agencies to Am Law 100 firms