Search & Selection

Search & Selection is Realm’s strategic recruitment methodology, designed to deliver predictable hiring outcomes in an increasingly cautious and competitive legal recruitment market.

Whilst many recruiters describe this type of service as “headhunting”, we’ve found that proactively approaching lawyers is only one part of the equation. The quality of the search depends just as much on the strength of the strategy behind it.

Every Search & Selection assignment therefore begins with a Search Strategy Review. Before approaching a single candidate, we take the time to develop a thorough understanding of the opportunity, the market and the factors that are most likely to influence a lawyer’s decision to move. This allows us to represent your firm with confidence and ensures every search is built on the strongest possible foundations.

The Search Strategy Review includes:

• Market mapping and competitor analysis.
• Salary and employment proposition benchmarking.
• Validation of the target candidate profile.
• Review of the recruitment and interview process.
• Identification of potential barriers to attraction, acceptance and retention.
• Counter-offer planning and candidate engagement strategy.
• Development of the search strategy and target market.

Once this work has been completed, we move into proactive market engagement, identifying, approaching and engaging the lawyers most closely aligned with your requirements before guiding both parties through the recruitment process to a successful conclusion.

When you choose Search & Selection, you’ll benefit from:

• A dedicated consultant specialising exclusively in your legal practice area or this type of project work.
• A comprehensive Search Strategy Review before market engagement begins.
• A detailed Market Research Report identifying the firms and lawyers within your target market.
• A collaborative strategy session to agree the target candidate profile and market approach.
• Proactive, discreet engagement with carefully selected lawyers who are unlikely to be actively applying for roles.
• Weekly progress updates and ongoing strategic recommendations throughout the assignment.
• Expert guidance around offers, resignations and counter-offers to maximise the likelihood of successful appointments.

Search & Selection remains particularly effective for senior, specialist and business-critical appointments. Increasingly, however, firms are choosing this approach whenever they want greater certainty, a more consultative recruitment experience and a significantly higher level of market insight than traditional recruitment methods typically provide.