Hobbs Harding Search specialises in engaging with high-performing lawyers, predominantly at the Partner level* nationally, in relation to our client firm briefs.
In line with our briefs, we most often tend to engage with lawyers having a global, national, local (capital city) or specialist (i.e. practice area) law firm background.
Common examples of the type of lawyers that we reach out to, or engage with when they reach out to us (including being referred to us), include:
Established Partners
Partners with a strong and reliable portable client base are always going to attract interest from some of our firm clients, whether to add further depth and seniority to an already established practice or to set up a new practice area. At any one time, we are working on briefs covering both of those examples, often in a range of practice areas. Many of the established Partners that we engage with are looking for a new challenge and/or are attracted to some of our client firms who are offering something quite different to what they have experienced to date.
Junior Partners
Beyond the honeymoon period that often comes after the significant promotion to Partner, many of the junior Partners we speak to are performing well though, taking a longer term view, are not necessarily excited about what they see, including the path to equity. We often speak to junior Partners who have two to four years of experience at that level and who are looking for a better long-term fit. Issues relating to firm leadership / culture (including attitude to innovation) often drive this interest in junior Partners speaking to us about their options.
Prospective Partners (those who can move directly into a Partner role at a new firm)
Many ambitious Special Counsel and Senior Associate level lawyers want to make Partner. Many need some further time at that level before making the transition though some are certainly ready and are being held back, and that can be for a number of reasons beyond their control. Often prospective Partners are unaware of the requirements (especially around portable client base) to make the transition to join a new firm as Partner when not already at that Partner level - it is worth noting that our client firms vary in terms of the specific requirements to join as a Partner. Increasingly, we are seeing a reluctance for prospective Partners to join as a Partner-elect (e.g. typically coming on as Special Counsel) with an understanding that partnership would follow in a 12-18 month period. Rather, and particularly for those who have had promises broken in the past around their promotion to partnership, the appeal of making a move is very much based around the promotion to Partner itself, rather than, for example, the level of autonomy they currently have - which is often complete (or near complete) autonomy in running matters in their current firm in any event.
Beyond discussing particular opportunities that we have been briefed on, in summary, we are able to advise on:
Recent developments, news and trends within the private practice market, both within Australia and internationally via our affiliates
Practice structures (through comprehensive market-mapping), partnership structures and firm leadership and likely opportunities for career progression (including requirements for equity)
Firm attitudes towards workplace flexibility, innovation, technology and their cultures more generally, as well as how they remunerate (including bonuses) and any related incentive programs
Customised CV preparation (see the Resources section on this website for a relevant CV template)
Customised business plan preparation for Partner-level opportunities
Tailored briefings prior to any interviews
Assistance prior to resigning
Preparation prior to reviews (particularly when addressing remuneration and any non-remuneration benefits).
Suggested business development initiatives and resources.
*Any reference to Partners includes Principals and those at a similar level
To discuss how Hobbs Harding Search can assist you in your career, please call 03 9225 5033 / 0414 142 422, or email thomas@hobbshardingsearch.com. Also, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.