Working With a Legal Recruiter in Denver
Denver is not only the largest city in Colorado, but also a major legal hub of the Southwest. Finding a legal recruiter who is specialized in the local market allows you to leverage their in-depth understanding of the Denver-Phoenix Corridor to expedite the hiring process. Effective legal search consultants in the Denver area understand the intricacies of employment laws and regulations that impact this large market . They also have high-level connections to the chief executives in major legal departments, which positions them very well to call on these insiders to get you to the short list of candidates for key legal roles. These recruiters partner with you to determine the right fit for your needs. In many cases, these well-positioned legal recruiters save you countless hours by helping you find small to mid-sized law firm talent that will meet your needs into the foreseeable future.
Top Legal Recruitment Agencies in Denver
The legal industry in Denver is supported by a selection of leading legal recruitment firms that specialize in each area of the market. These firms have been built over time with expert recruiters who understand the local market and possess a deep knowledge of their specific legal discipline.
The Barrett Group is one of the premier recruiting firms in the Denver area whose legal practice specializes in placements in law firms, corporate law departments, and general counsel offices.
Lateral Link has been serving the Denver legal market for many years and has a large base of clients in the area. The firm specializes in recruiting for both law firms and in-house.
Altitude Law Firm Search focuses on staffing the legal industry, including partner placements, associate placements, and entire practice groups. This Denver firm is well-connected in the legal community.
What to Look for in Legal Recruiters in Denver
While the legal placement market is changing, the qualities that define an excellent legal recruiter in Denver, and elsewhere, is not. Good legal recruiters enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds. We are able to strike up conversation with most anyone. Good legal recruiters come from the legal field, in some form. As former lawyers and former legal HR professionals, we understand what makes lawyers tick and what law firm managers want. Moreover, knowing what it is like to be a lawyer assists your legal recruiter in understanding the perspective of potential candidates. In addition, good legal search professionals have a great deal of knowledge about the local legal market. As market insiders, we are aware of which firms are growing, where the pain points are, and where there may be opportunities for your next position or for top talent to join your team. Finally, you want to work with people who have proven themselves by successfully placing other lawyers like you. Ask to learn about placements your recruiter has made. If your search professional complains about not having the opportunity to place a partner this year, it is likely that he or she makes excuses for inaction. No one working as a legal recruiter will have trouble sharing their success stories.
How Legal Recruiters Help Law Firms and Candidates
Benefits for Law Firms and Candidates: The Role of Legal Recruiters
The primary benefit legal recruiters serve is streamlining the hiring process for both parties. This can be key for legal employers. For example, most firms, no matter their size, do not have the internal resources to sort through the number of resumes they might receive for any given position. They appreciate that legal recruiters know how to streamline the process and only bring qualified, interested candidates to them. Here’s the bottom line that obliges a firm to pay a recruiter to find an attorney for them. If a law firm approaches a legal recruiter about finding an attorney to fill one of its open positions, the recruiter will solicit a candidate for the firm, interview the candidate and present him or her to the firm, and if hired, stay on until the candidate has worked three months with the firm. If the candidate ends their relationship with the firm at that point, the recruiter will continue to actively search for a new position for the candidate. That way, the firm is never stuck with having to pay a sizable fee to a recruiter when the candidate leaves after just a few weeks or months. To the job seeker, a legal recruiter serves as a career consultant and offers assistance throughout the process. Your recruiter can evaluate your resume and, if you agree, make any adjustments necessary to enhance your chances of landing particular positions. Depending on the firm he or she is working with, your recruiter will schedule interviews with the firm. In many instances, he or she will accompany you to these interviews. They know what positions the firm is trying to fill and can guide you on ideal responses to difficult or challenging questions about yourself or your qualifications that could otherwise sink a potentially lucrative opportunity. Additionally, your recruiter offers assistance to help you realize your true worth, especially regarding salary negotiations. After applying their expertise to your particular circumstance and qualifications, they can help you not only understand your worth within your geographic market, but also nationally. You’re not likely to get this kind of accurate information from your employer or headhunters working for the firm. Plus, your recruiter can help prepare you for future interviews, help you avoid mistakes and even write your cover letter.
Legal Careers in Denver
The legal job market in Denver shows growth and vitality, with a range of opportunities currently available. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Denver has seen a steady influx of new residents and businesses, resulting in a corresponding demand for legal services across a range of specialties.
Key among the jobs currently available is mid-level corporate counsel positions, which are seeing a surge in demand. Corporations in the area are particularly focused on hiring in-house attorneys to handle a variety of matters . Aside from corporate counsel jobs, there are opportunities for legal professionals in areas such as:
Labor and employment
Corporate law and governance
Civil litigation
Intellectual property and patent law
Criminal law
Environmental law and policy
Healthcare law and policy
Tax law
Estate planning and administration
Corporate and commercial finance
Hours and pay rates for legal professionals vary by specialization and type of employment. Generally, in-house attorneys tend to have better hours than those employed at midsize and large law firms. On average, the compensation for legal professionals in Denver is slightly higher than the national average. However, certain specialties, such as intellectual property, pay significantly higher salaries. There are also a number of firms that have a flexible work schedule and alternative work schedules.
Working with an Experienced Legal Recruiter
There are four "R’s" in successfully working with a legal recruiter.
- Receptivity. Remain open to a variety of possibilities as they present themselves. At times candidates feel different from the firm they’re exploring. We recommend considering why you feel like a misfit and think about how might you change to better fit. Sometimes we’ll ask a candidate to open up their search to include a larger geographical area. A larger locale increases the opportunity.
- Realize your goals. Your legal recruiter wants to fully understand why you’re job hunting regardless if you’re unhappy with your current job or just monitoring the market for interesting new opportunities- recruiters want to know what will make you happy.
- Response. Respond quickly to interviews once they have been requested. Many firms will see candidates during specific time frames. Legal recruiters understand that candidates are busy. So, they only get one chance to make an impression. In most cases, these timeframes are set well in advance by the firm’s hiring committee. They are accommodating and will do all they can to work with your schedule. Act quickly if you’re interested in the opportunity. When it comes to an opportunity that suits you, do not wait for all other issues to be resolved; i.e., back office. It’s important to inform your legal recruiter of any and all tentative offers. Your legal recruiter is your representative and can then negotiate the situations on your behalf.
- Respect. Respect the process. Candidates need to trust their recruiter and abide by the process. Remember the relationship you have with your recruiter is a two-way street. For all the time and energy a recruiter invest in their candidates, they want to ensure their clients feel the same way. Candidates who are responsive and cooperative with their legal recruiter will have a much more productive and efficient job search.
The Future of Legal Recruitment in Denver
As the legal industry continues to undergo significant changes, the future of legal recruitment in Denver is likely to be shaped by several key factors. One of the most important will be the continued push for greater diversity within law firms. Many firms have already made strides in this area, but there is still much work to be done. Legal recruiters in Denver will need to be particularly attuned to the needs of diverse candidates and to be able to guide them to firms that are genuinely committed to diversity.
Another trend that is likely to impact legal recruitment in Denver in the coming years is the increasing use of technology. Law firms are already beginning to experiment with artificial intelligence in an effort to streamline their recruitment processes . This could potentially make recruiters’ jobs easier, but it also poses potential risks. Legal recruiters will need to be familiar with these technologies in order to ensure that they are keeping up with the latest developments and providing their clients with the best possible service.
Finally, the legal landscape in Denver is shifting rapidly. As the population of the city continues to grow, the demand for legal services will likely continue to increase. This means that legal recruiters will need to be prepared to work harder than ever to find the right candidates for their clients. They will also need to be able to adapt to changing demands in order to remain competitive. Overall, while the future of legal recruitment in Denver is uncertain, it is clear that there will be no shortage of challenges to overcome.