This month, we caught up with the driving force behind Realm Recruit, our director Duane Cormell. In this edition of Meet the Team, Duane gives an insight into his role at Realm, offers advice to lawyers craving a change and tells us all about his very special summer plans.
As director of Realm, you’re constantly spinning plates – what parts of your role do you find most enjoyable?
If I’m really honest, one of the things that I like most about being a director is the sheer variety to my role, so it is difficult to pinpoint specific aspects of it that I find most enjoyable. I suppose I particularly enjoy anything that involves directly working with other members of the team – whether that be working alongside a consultant in recruiting for a role, coaching or training a member of the team, or even just the ad-hoc conversations that we have to share ideas and talk through problems.
What would you say sets Realm apart from other legal recruiters?
I don’t really buy-in to USPs anymore if I’m honest, because I think in most industries, particularly recruitment, it is incredibly difficult to honestly say what you do is unique.
I do firmly believe in our tagline though – a refreshing approach to legal recruitment. We came up with it as a team and it was based significantly on feedback that we’ve received from clients we’ve recruited for and candidates we’ve placed. We are told all the time that our approach – in terms of how candid and human we are – is very different to that of most recruiters.
I know that some other legal recruiters specialise in particular geographical areas, and others just recruit for commercial facing roles; however, I don’t know of any other legal recruiters who can honestly say they’re as specialist and niche as our team at Realm, who each focus on just one practice area.
What advice would you give to lawyers pondering a move?
To be positive – making a career move can be incredibly daunting and there are anxieties that can arise from the fact that the market is very tight and that employers talk to one another. Ultimately though, moving jobs is exciting, if done for the right reasons, and can drastically improve the all-round quality of an individual’s life if it goes well.
What’s the last film you saw? Any good?
I had a cinema pass between the ages of 14 and 16, and averaged something like two films a week over a two-year period, whereas I don’t think I’ve even been to the cinema this year! I did see the new Jumanji at a friend’s house a couple of weeks back – it wasn’t great.
You’re stranded on a desert island; which book/luxury item would you take with you and why?
I don’t tend to read anything other than the newspaper in my spare time but, I loved reading Harry Potter when I was younger, so probably one of the later books from the series. And I’d take a Bialetti coffee percolator, in the hope that the island had coffee beans and I could figure out a way of roasting them!
Any exciting plans for the summer?
I will be getting married in Cornwall at the start of August, spending a week or so there, and then flying out to Ibiza to honeymoon. I’ve also got a pretty big birthday coming up at the end of August, which I may even celebrate.
Lastly, who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
David Attenborough and Leonardo Di Caprio. I doubt I’d have much of interest to say to them but, I’m sure they’d have stories aplenty that would interest me.
How Duane can help you…
If you’re looking to grow your team and want to partner with a recruiter who thoroughly understands the state of the market and will advise you honestly on how to find the very best legal talent, Duane is ready to help you. Get in touch on 03300 245 606 or email duane@realmrecruit.com
