Whether you are considering your first move from a law firm to an in-house legal department or looking for your next corporate counsel opportunity, the right legal recruiter can make a meaningful difference in your search.
Astor Professional Search helps attorneys at all stages of their careers explore in-house counsel positions with companies across the United States. Our clients range from established Fortune 500 companies and private equity firms to growing businesses, start-ups, and nonprofit organizations.
As former practicing attorneys, our in-house counsel recruiters understand both the legal profession and the considerations that go into making an important career move. We take the time to learn about your experience, priorities, and long-term objectives before introducing opportunities that may be a strong fit.
Discover how the legal recruiters at Astor Professional Search can help you reach your goals. Call 312-781-9000 today.
Moving in-house can offer attorneys a different way to use their legal experience, work closely with business leaders, and contribute directly to an organization’s objectives. But finding the right position involves more than identifying an open legal job.
The company, industry, responsibilities, reporting structure, location, culture, advancement opportunities, and long-term career potential all matter.
Our legal recruiters work closely with attorneys to understand these priorities and identify in-house positions that align with them.
You may be:
Whatever brings you to the search, Astor provides personalized guidance designed around your individual career goals.
Corporate legal departments require attorneys with a wide range of backgrounds and experience. Through our relationships with companies and legal decision-makers, we help candidates explore opportunities across different practice areas, industries, and levels of seniority.
Depending on your experience and the needs of our clients, in-house legal opportunities may include positions such as:
We work with companies in a broad range of industries and maintain relationships throughout the legal market, helping candidates learn about positions they may not otherwise encounter during a traditional job search.
Searching for an in-house position on your own can provide access to publicly advertised openings. Working with an experienced legal recruiter can add another important dimension to your search.
Astor maintains long-standing relationships with law firms, corporations, and legal decision-makers throughout the country. Those relationships give our recruiters insight into the legal market and can help us identify opportunities that align with a candidate’s specific experience and priorities.
Just as importantly, we provide a knowledgeable perspective throughout the decision-making process.
We begin by learning about you.
Before recommending an opportunity, we consider your legal experience, accomplishments, professional interests, preferred location, personal priorities, and long-term objectives.
For an attorney moving from private practice to an in-house position, that may mean discussing why you want to make the transition and what type of legal department or business environment would be most rewarding.
For an experienced corporate attorney, it may mean identifying a position that offers greater responsibility, broader exposure, a different industry, or a stronger path for continued advancement.
The objective is not simply to make a placement. It is to identify opportunities that make sense for your career.
Astor Professional Search was founded by attorneys, and our recruiters are former practicing lawyers.
That legal background gives us a practical understanding of attorney careers and the considerations involved in changing positions. We understand that a legal career cannot be evaluated solely by a job title or compensation package.
Your practice experience, professional reputation, career trajectory, business interests, and personal priorities can all influence whether an opportunity makes sense.
We use that perspective to help you evaluate your options thoughtfully.
You may be looking for an in-house counsel position in your current market, considering relocation, or simply interested in understanding what opportunities exist elsewhere.
Astor works with attorneys and employers locally, regionally, and nationally. Our extensive professional network enables us to connect candidates with companies throughout the United States and introduce opportunities they may not have discovered independently.
Even if you are not actively searching, a conversation with an experienced legal recruiter can help you develop a clearer understanding of the market and the options available to you.
Since the day I started as a real estate associate at a major Chicago law firm, recruiters would call me on a regular basis. My connection with Bill Sugarman at Astor Professional Search was immediate, and his sincerity and knowledge of the marketplace set him heads and shoulders above all the other recruiters. Bill was able to easily identify my goals and concerns and locate the best opportunities. His many connections run to law firms and companies alike, and ultimately enabled me to make the switch to a unique opportunity on the business side.
It was important for me to take an exhaustive approach in considering a lateral move. Having known Bill Sugarman for several years, I felt very comfortable with his strategic philosophy and in-depth market knowledge. I was thrilled to have Bill in my corner as a trusted advisor, particularly given the magnitude of the process and my ultimate decision. I have been extremely happy with the results, and I continue to recommend Bill and Astor Professional Search to any attorneys contemplating a move.
The lateral hiring process can be onerous, and it was beyond helpful to have Bill Sugarman and his experience in my corner, backing my efforts to advance my career. Bill had the unique ability to recognize my priorities while I was still formulating them, and he was strategic in aligning those priorities with potential firms. He was willing to jump on the phone in short order at any time, including nights and weekends, to talk through any issue along the way, no matter how big or small. Bill is the type of advocate you want on your team when considering a move.
After 14 years of practicing corporate law and building my practice with the same law firm, the notion of moving firms and working with a legal recruiter was daunting. However, my experience with Bill Sugarman was extremely positive from the first phone call. Not only did Bill spend a great deal of time with me, but his in-depth analysis and consultation really helped me put things in perspective. Bill’s responsiveness and comprehensive approach throughout the entire process proved invaluable in the results we achieved. I have the highest regard for Bill and Astor Professional Search, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Bill to anyone.
As former President and CEO of one of the nation’s leading online brokerage firms, I oversaw our search for an associate general counsel. We were extremely selective with exactly who and what we were looking for. Bill Sugarman, of Astor Professional Search, asked the right questions and took the time to find the specific attributes that were critical to us. He presented us with only the strongest candidates to fit our needs. I was particularly impressed with his high level of candor, responsiveness and overall diligence. We were extremely happy with the manner in which he conducted the overall search as well as the outstanding results he delivered.
I was happy in my position at my law firm, but my long-term career goal was to move in-house. Unlike other recruiters who simply passed me law firm opportunities in the hopes of a quick placement, Joel Bronstein of Astor Professional Search took the time to really understand my long-term goals. Thanks to Joel’s persistence and huge network, he ultimately connected me with a unique in-house opportunity that I likely never would have discovered on my own and without his guidance. Joel became a trusted advisor and resource for me throughout the search process, and at every step along the way. I would not hesitate to recommend Joel and Astor to other attorneys who are looking for a professional change, whether at a law firm or elsewhere.
Bill Sugarman is a fantastic legal recruiter who spent a great deal of time getting to know me on both a professional and personal level. His tenacity, market knowledge and vast network of relationships were instrumental in procuring multiple offers for me. Ultimately, I was able to choose the right opportunity after thorough analysis that was made easier through Bill’s detailed consultation and sound judgement throughout the process. I would gladly recommend Bill and Astor Professional Search to any of my friends or business associates.
My family and I were in the process of relocating, and I was considering available career opportunities that would make sense for me. After consulting with Joel Bronstein, of Astor Professional Search, we were able to identify an ideal position that would enable me to achieve my long-term goals. Joel was instrumental in each step of the process, and his high level of market knowledge, strategic insight, and tactical advice were invaluable. I would strongly recommend Joel and Astor to any attorney exploring the market in Chicago or throughout the country, as well as to any attorney simply interested in gaining a better market perspective through Astor’s expertise.
Having a sizable book of business in my intellectual property litigation practice, I knew that I would have good options when I decided to leave my previous law firm. Although I had worked with other legal recruiters previously, it wasn’t until I worked with Bill Sugarman of Astor Professional Search that I realized how much more value he brought to the table as my advocate. His thorough market insight and attention to detail, coupled with his accessibility and superior work ethic are unparalleled. I continue to be very pleased with the results he delivered.
Joel Bronstein, of Astor Professional Search, was an invaluable part of my lateral search when I was looking to relocate. I thought that identifying law firms that aligned with my long-term goals in a different geographic region would be a challenging ordeal, but through Joel’s impressive market intelligence and detailed guidance, the process was much smoother and easier than I anticipated. Joel exceeded my expectations by taking the time to gain an in-depth understanding of my goals and priorities from multiple perspectives. I would strongly recommend Astor Professional Search to any attorney.
As a corporate attorney at an international law firm, I was constantly receiving recruiter phone calls. However, Joel Bronstein at Astor Professional Search immediately stood out from the crowd. My experience with him was particularly refreshing, given his professionalism, market knowledge, and sincere interest in my long-term goals. Joel was diligent and patient as we navigated a variety of quality opportunities. I would happily recommend him and Astor to any attorney interested in gaining a better understanding of the legal market and exploring their career options.
After 15 years at an IP boutique firm, I decided to move to a full-service firm to better serve my clients. I had concerns about the process, finding the right fit, and ensuring a seamless transition for my clients. Bill Sugarman of Astor Professional Search guided me through the entire process, first by discussing my objectives and determining my clients’ needs, and then by continuously asking insightful questions and applying his experience to my objectives. His in-depth knowledge of the legal market and firm-specific culture, as well as his extensive network of relationships, were critical to the process. His experience and coaching resulted in a “perfect-fit” transition for me. Bill is a communicative, sincere, and objective advocate. I strongly recommend Bill and Astor to any attorney either looking to make a move or just exploring the market.
As the hiring partner with a national law firm specializing in real estate law, I need to make sure that the candidates we interview, and ultimately hire, have what it takes to satisfy the heavy demands of our high profile clients. Astor Professional Search has really advanced our recruiting efforts by continuously providing the type of top legal talent that can sometimes be difficult to find in a competitive market. Astor’s ability to target high caliber candidates, and effectively communicate our firm message to them, has proven very successful in delivering outstanding results for us.
I was referred to Astor Professional Search by a former colleague, who was very happy with her overall experience and ultimate results. Bill Sugarman spent a lot of time with me discussing my short, intermediate, and long-term goals. His experience and connections helped him readily identify the opportunities which best positioned me to achieve these goals. Equally important, Bill was interested in finding a place in which I would fit personally as well as professionally, which is critical to my success and the firm’s ultimate success. I continue to recommend Bill to any attorney contemplating a job change.
Bill Sugarman, of Astor Professional Search, really helps you examine your career goals and determine what type of firm will be best for you. He knows the Chicago legal market extremely well. He immediately understood what type of environment I was looking for and he helped me to achieve my goals. Changing law firms can be a difficult and stressful process, but Bill made the transition much easier than I expected.
As an experienced real estate attorney, it was very important to me that my recruiter understood not only the general reputations and qualities of firms, but which specialties each firm excelled at. Through his contacts in the legal community and long-time experience, Bill had a great sense of what smaller departments were like within the context of bigger firms. This expertise enabled me to find a firm and department that fit my specific goals for both work and firm culture. Bill put a tremendous amount of effort into my search and was very involved in helping me get through each step of the process. It was very helpful and useful to have his advice and support through my search. I would definitely recommend Astor Professional Search to anyone.
In an ever-changing legal market, our lateral recruiting efforts continue to be a top priority. Having known Bill Sugarman for over 25 years, we have the utmost confidence in Astor Professional Search to represent our law firm’s attorney recruiting interests in a highly effective manner. Astor treats Much Shelist and its lateral task force with integrity and professionalism, and we are thrilled to have Bill and his company securely in our corner.
The many demands of a growing firm like ours requires the legal recruiters we work with to be very efficient when conducting lateral searches for us. Working with Bill Sugarman at Astor Search is refreshing, because he has a very good understanding of our firm culture and our particular needs, and as a result is consistently able to provide us with highly credentialed candidates whose personalities tend to fit in well with our firm environment.
As we continue to grow our Chicago office and expand our national footprint, the select few legal search firms with whom we work must be at the top of their game. Astor Professional Search, under the leadership of Bill Sugarman, epitomizes this notion. Not only has Astor provided us with the highest caliber of lateral partner talent on a consistent basis, but they have done so in a way which makes the entire process seamless. Their combination of in-depth market knowledge, partner relationships, candid communication and high integrity really sets them apart. We look forward to continued mutual success with Astor in the years to come.
Exploring another legal position can be sensitive, particularly when you are currently employed.
Our recruiters understand the importance of discretion in the legal profession. Rather than broadly distributing your resume, we take a strategic and personalized approach to your search.
When an appropriate opportunity arises, we help you understand the position and determine whether it deserves further consideration.
If you decide to proceed, our involvement continues throughout the hiring process.
An experienced recruiter should do more than forward job descriptions and resumes.
Astor serves as a career advisor and advocate throughout your search. Our team can help you:
Because we work closely with both attorneys and employers, we can provide perspective throughout the process while helping you stay focused on your long-term objectives.
Discover how the legal recruiters at Astor Professional Search can help you reach your goals. Call 312-781-9000 today.
For many attorneys, transitioning from private practice to an in-house legal department is a major career milestone.
It can also raise important questions.
What type of company is the best fit for your experience? How will employers evaluate your law firm background? Which of your skills are most valuable to a corporate legal department? What should you expect during the interview process? And how will a particular move affect your longer-term career path?
Our in-house counsel recruiters help attorneys think through these questions before and during their search.
Rather than treating every corporate opportunity as interchangeable, we consider how each position fits into the broader direction of your career.
Companies hiring in-house counsel often look for more than strong legal credentials. They may prioritize attorneys who can communicate clearly with business leaders, understand commercial objectives, manage risk pragmatically, and work effectively across different departments.
Our recruiters help candidates understand how their law firm or existing in-house experience may translate to a corporate legal environment. We can also help you identify the aspects of your background that may be most relevant to a particular employer, industry, or position. By understanding what a company is seeking before you enter the interview process, you can present your experience more effectively and evaluate whether the role is truly a good fit.
Not every in-house counsel opportunity is the same. The size and structure of a legal department can significantly affect your responsibilities, exposure to senior leadership, opportunities for advancement, and day-to-day work.
Some attorneys prefer large corporate legal departments with specialized practice groups, while others are drawn to leaner teams where they can handle a broader range of legal and business matters. We help candidates consider factors such as reporting structure, team size, company growth, industry, leadership, and the scope of the position when evaluating an opportunity.
You do not have to be actively searching for a new job to benefit from speaking with an in-house counsel recruiter. Many attorneys begin conversations with us simply to understand the market, learn how their experience is valued, or explore what their next career move could look like.
Starting that conversation early can give you a better sense of available opportunities and help you make a more informed decision when the right position arises. We are happy to speak with attorneys at any stage of the process, whether you are ready to make a move or simply considering your options.
You do not need to wait until you are determined to leave your current position to begin exploring the market.
Whether you are actively pursuing in-house legal jobs, considering a move from a law firm to a corporate legal department, evaluating your next step as an experienced in-house attorney, or simply interested in learning what opportunities may be available, Astor Professional Search can provide informed and confidential guidance.
Our legal recruiters combine firsthand legal experience, extensive market knowledge, professional relationships, and individualized career counseling to help attorneys make thoughtful career moves.
Ready to explore your options? Search our available attorney opportunities or contact Astor Professional Search at 312-781-9000 to speak with an in-house counsel recruiter.
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