FAQ for Employers

Why should I use MS Legal Search instead of another search firm? What can I expect from my relationship with MS Legal Search? Why is it better to work exclusively with one recruiting firm? What are your fees? Why should I use MS Legal Search instead of another search firm? Using MS Legal Search when you have need to hire an attorney will save you time and money. We work proactively. Often, the lawyer you want is busy doing a great job for someone else and does not have time to read want ads. If you try to fill your position by putting an ad in the paper, you are only reaching a small segment of the candidate pool. We know who the superstars are, and we will take your opportunity to them. We focus exclusively on permanent attorney placement. Attorneys ourselves, we spend all day talking with our peers and reaching out to new colleagues, learning about their experience and career goals. We are keyed into the direction the market is moving, and we can make sure you benefit from that knowledge as well. We specialize in the mechanics of the interviewing and hiring process. We work with you to keep things moving so that you can focus on getting to know your top candidates rather than on screening piles of resumes. When you have questions, we are on hand with answers. In short, this is what we do, and we do it very well. We look forward to using our experience and expertise for your benefit. What can I expect from my relationship with MS Legal Search? Expect straight talk. We are committed to your success. We operate with the highest ethical standards, and we share all pertinent information with you as we work on the search, even if sharing it is not in our best interest. Expect teamwork. Our recruiters, all licensed attorneys with roots in the community, work collaboratively on each and every placement. We do not work on commission, so each recruiter benefits from the success of all of the firm's placements. You benefit from the strength of our combined knowledge, networks, and drive to find the right match for you. Expect top-notch candidates. We want to make the right placement, not the "right now" placement, so we will present only well-qualified candidates who are truly interested in your opportunity. Expect great fringe benefits. We hear what lawyers are saying about your organization and can share that with you. We take very seriously the trust you place in us to uphold your reputation, and strive to leave a positive impression of your organization in the mind of everyone we speak with and meet. Why is it better to use one search firm or many for my placements? Working exclusively with one firm is the best way to guarantee that the firm can devote sufficient time and resources to your search. An exclusive relationship with MS Legal Search allows us to really get to know your needs, lawyers, and corporate culture. That means we can present your opportunity in the most effective way to the most qualified candidates. An exclusive relationship also means you talk to one person from one firm, rather than keeping track of who knows what and who needs to be informed about how the search has changed or progressed. What's the downside to working with multiple firms? When multiple recruiters work on a search, instead of achieving a broader reach, you may end up with a weaker focus among search firms who recognize that others are targeting the same candidates. Qualified candidates may receive calls from multiple recruiters representing the same position, which creates a confusing and inconsistent image of both you and your opportunity. Because of MS Legal Search's team approach to openings, with one call you get the benefit of multiple recruiters devoted to your opening and partnering with you to project a positive and consistent image of your culture and opportunity. What are your fees? Our fee for placing a candidate is based on a percentage, agreed upon beforehand, of that person's annual compensation. We reward clients who commit to exclusive relationships with us by offering discounted fees. We also work on retainer, and in some instances will recommend a flat fee for a search. We want what works best for each situation. No matter how they are structured, all of our fee agreements come with refund provisions, because our ultimate goal is not just making the placement, but making the right placement.