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Selecting which recruitment agency to partner with as a legal candidate is an important decision that can shape how the market perceives you. At Chisholm Clarke, we specialise in placing private practice lawyers into roles that align with their values, lifestyle, skills, and career aspirations. Whether you’re actively seeking a new position or simply exploring your options, here’s what you can expect when you partner with us.
The first step of our process is spending time getting to know you, first as a person, and then as a lawyer. We believe that understanding who you are - your motivations, values, and long-term ambitions, is just as, if not more important than knowing your legal experience and skills. By building a full picture of you as an individual, we can better match you with employers that not only align with your professional goals but also fit your lifestyle and personal values. This tailored approach ensures that the opportunities we recommend are a true fit.
We’ll then have an in-depth conversation about your career goals, legal experience and the type of role you’re looking for. We’ll also discuss the kind of work environment you thrive in, whether it’s a large corporate firm, a boutique practice, or something in-between to narrow down our search parameters.
This conversation allows us to tailor our approach to your unique circumstances. Whether you are looking for a lateral move, a step up into a senior role, or even a transition into a new legal speciality, we will ensure that our recommendations align with your goals.
Once we understand your preferences, we will leverage our knowledge on different law firms across the country and identify employers that will suit you. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We will carefully provide you with a selection of active and off-market opportunities that are tailored to your ideal career path.
Our point of difference from other agencies is that we do not partner with law firms; we partner with you, the one lawyer. This means our focus is not on selling jobs and bombarding you with irrelevant job postings, but on understanding your individual needs and recommending opportunities that truly align with your experience and aspirations. You can trust that our recommendations are driven by what is best for your career, not by external pressures from employers.
Our top priority is ensuring your privacy and professionalism is maintained throughout the process. We do this by keeping your identity and personal details confidential until a potential employer specifically requests your details. We will never send an unsolicited CV. Instead, we first present a curated overview of your skills and experience to employers, protecting your personal data until we have secured mutual interest.
This method allows us to maintain discretion while ensuring that your professional profile is handled with the utmost respect and care, safeguarding your privacy throughout every stage of the search process.
An integral piece of our process is personalised interview preparation. Once we have secured an interview, we will meet you again either in person or over video and provide insight into the firm culture, structure of the interview, and the role requirements - ensuring you feel confident and prepared for the meeting. We will also discuss how best to present your experience and skills.
We always say that it is just as much about you liking them as it is about them liking you, so we will help you create important questions to ask throughout the interview that align with your wants and needs.
This approach ultimately helps us put you in a position of having all the information you might need to help make a sound decision if you are offered the position.
Throughout the recruitment process, we remain by your side, acting as your advocate. We handle all communication and appointment scheduling with the employer, provide feedback after interviews, and keep you updated at every stage. If an offer seems imminent, we assist the client in aligning their offer with your preferences and their capabilities.
Once an offer is received, we manage any negotiations on your behalf, ensuring that the terms of the new arrangement meet your expectations. We guide you through everything from salary discussions to start dates and pre-booked leave, ensuring that everyone is comfortable with the final arrangement.
Once you have accepted an offer, our support continues. We remain in touch during your transition to your new role, ensuring that the placement is a success for both you and your new employer. We value long-term relationships and are here to offer advice, guidance, referrals, or simply a listening ear as you settle into your new position.
We pride ourselves on being more than just ‘recruiters’ - we are career partners for lawyers. Whether you are actively seeking a new opportunity, exploring potential career moves or would just like to discuss the market, we are here to support you every step of the way. We understand that changing roles can be scary, but we are dedicated and experienced professionals that help make your process as seamless and enjoyable as possible, with a business model built around trust.
Chisholm Clarke is a proud registered corporate member of the RCSA and aligns its operating ethos with those values of our industry's overseer.
If you are ready to take the next step in your legal career or simply want to explore your options, reach out to Sam and Sarah.
sam@chisholmclarke.co.nz
sarah@chisholmclarke.co.nz
