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Duane Cormell

Director

Meet Duane Cormell

I am the co-founder of Realm Recruit. I believe that when it comes to work-life balance, life is the more important of the two, and that’s something I try to put at the centre of everything Realm does.

Since moving to recruitment after obtaining a degree in Law, I have amassed more than 10 years’ legal recruitment experience, and I use the knowledge I have gained in that time to help law firms, lawyers, and aspiring lawyers alike.

I co-founded Realm in 2015 with the aim of developing careers and sustainably growing law firms through a refreshing, values-driven approach to legal recruitment.

Recently I’ve been researching the impact that COVID-19 has had on the legal profession, in terms of employee engagement, attraction and retention, and employees’ employability. In July 2020, this research was featured in an article by The Law Society Gazette about ‘The New World of Work’.

As well as leading the Realm team, I help law firms to improve their employer brand and employee engagement, which leads to:

Reduced recruitment spend
Lower absenteeism
A healthier workforce
Greater employee loyalty and retention
Improved customer service
Better productivity
Greater profitability

Having been personally disillusioned by the traditional legal career advice offered to me as a law student, in 2020, I founded Legal Job Coach.com to shine a light on the gaps left by the traditional advice.

In February 2022, I won the award for Business Owner/Entrepreneur at the Made in Manchester Awards and I was Highly Commended at the Recruiter: Investing in Talent Awards in the Most Inspiring Team Leader/Manager category.

I am also an iMA affiliate and an Alumni Ambassador for local charity Forever Manchester.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Compassionate, driven, loyal

What’s your favourite thing about working at Realm?
It’s hard for me to settle on just one thing, as I’ve been lucky enough to watch Realm grow from nothing to the business it is today. I suppose I’d say it’s the team I work with – not only are they are all lovely, down-to-earth people whom I enjoy spending my days with but it’s been fantastic to see how much they’ve all developed and what they’ve all achieved whilst being a part of the Realm team.

How do you unwind after a busy day at work?
Listening to a podcast (usually football related, if not specifically 90s football) on my drive home, cooking dinner if it’s my turn, and then slobbing out on the sofa with my partner and our springer spaniel, Trevor.

Duane helped me find my new role in September and I cannot recommend him and Realm highly enough. He is helpful, quick to respond and has a great knowledge of the market. I had a number of questions, having been with my previous firm for a number of years and having not looked for a new role for quite some time. Duane had helpful and practical advice for me and was always on hand to calm any fears I might have had. He is patient and calm and worked very hard to secure my new role; one in which I am very happy.

Nathan Penny-Larter

Senior Associate

Realm were introduced to Maguire Family Law by recommendation and we have not been disappointed. Duane came to our office to meet the team and get a grasp of our ethos. We have only ever received appropriate CVs, excellent communication and client care. Thank you, team Realm.

Eimear Maguire

Partner at Maguire Family Law

Duane could not have been more approachable when I first contacted him for advice about putting together a CV after twenty years of not writing one. He gave me a structure to start with and then kindly reviewed it offering tips of how to fine-tune it. Since then I have attended webinars where he has discussed recruitment in the legal sector offering interesting insight and encouragement. Duane is honest, approachable and motivational as well as being highly experienced in his field. Certainly a great person to connect with if you are considering taking that first terrifying step into a new career.

Nicola Jackson

Law Student