Our Services
Because our clients demand the very best, RLS is selective. Academic excellence is important. The candidates we typically recruit were on Law Review or graduated at or near the top of their class from a highly regarded law school.
See U.S. News Online Top Law Schools Chart or the Vault Law School Intel. They also hold undergraduate or graduate degrees from noted private or public institutions, and have been recognized with such honors as Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude, or Magna Cum Laude.
A stable employment record at a premiere law firm or major corporation, with two to five years of complex business-litigation or transactional experience, is essential. A one- or two-year federal clerkship is preferred. Ideally, attorneys with more than six years of experience should have a portable book of business. If RLS agrees to work with you, you’ll be provided with a comprehensive set of legal search services, tailored to your unique interests and long-term career goals. RLS prides itself on its tact and discretion. Your search will be kept confidential.
Fees
RLS does not charge attorneys any fees for its placement and consulting services. The client law firm or corporation pays the recruiting fee. Such fees are considered a normal and usual cost of doing business.
Consulting
We review our active searches with you, and explore which openings best match your interests and personal situation - and which ones have the most potential for long-term career advancement.
Marketing
Access is our most important asset. RLS makes sure that your resume is placed in front of the right people, at the right time. Our long-standing relationships with key legal recruiting administrators and hiring authorities mean that your resume will receive prompt attention. We know who will be actively looking for attorneys in the near future. And we also know who will interview and extend an offer should the "right" candidate happen to become available.
Resume Evaluation and Submission
RLS evaluates the effectiveness of your resume, and helps you revise it to improve your chances of obtaining an interview. Our extensive file of model resumes is available for your review. Resumes are submitted for consideration only with your express, prior permission.
Interview Preparation
RLS coaches you on the best way to conduct yourself during the interview. If you have not interviewed for a position during the past two years, it is essential that you discuss interviewing strategies with us. In a highly competitive lateral market, a flawed interviewing technique can mean missing out on outstanding opportunities. If possible, we supply you with a list of the lawyers who will be interviewing you, as well as background information on the client.
Post-Interview Analysis and Problem Resolution
RLS provides you with confidential feedback on how your interview was received — so you know how to improve your performance during subsequent rounds. We troubleshoot problems as they arise, addressing any misperceptions either you or the client may have developed. We schedule follow-up meetings and discuss all relevant post-interview comments.
Advocacy
RLS is your advocate during each stage of the search process. We draw attention to your strengths, and downplay your weaknesses. We work hard to maximize your chances of attaining the career-enhancing job you seek. More importantly, we strive to make sure you’re extended multiple offers. Your bargaining position will be significantly improved if clients know you have several options.
Closing the Deal
RLS works with both the candidate attorney and the client law firm or corporation in closing the deal. Once an offer has been made, we assist in negotiating the compensation package, years to partnership consideration, relocation expenses, and other important terms. If you have received several offers, RLS will help you evaluate the pros and cons of each opportunity. We also address the issue of reference checks, providing consultation on how and when to approach your references.
RLS conducts both retained and contingency legal searches for associates, partners, and practice groups. A current fee schedule will be furnished upon request. The following services are provided for all clients:
Assessment
RLS is available to meet with the organization's hiring decision-makers to assess current and, if appropriate, long-term personnel needs. We seek to understand not just the client's practice areas and business strategy, but also the client's style and culture.
Representation
We represent our clients in a manner consistent with their goals and image. To make sure that we devote proper attention to each and every client, we take on a limited number of focused representations.
Data Base Review
RLS initially reviews its attorney data base - and then taps into its network of contacts - to develop a list of potential candidates. Our data base covers a wide range of both nationally and internationally preeminent lawyers, at every level of accomplishment and in most practice areas.
Candidate Screening
All potential candidates are pre-qualified prior to client referral. The evaluation includes a review of abilities, academic record, depth of practice experience, motivation, short and long term career objectives, and personal attributes necessary to ensure the best fit with the client's organizational culture and particular personnel needs. Only attorneys whose profiles closely match the search specifications established by the client are referred for an interview.
Consulting
With our extensive network of attorney and client contacts, RLS is well-positioned to obtain a broad overview of emerging trends in the legal marketplace. This perspective is a critically important aspect of the service we provide to clients, and enables RLS to perform a consulting role as part of every search.