Private Practice
Services
We are an established global search firm renowned for our specialist in-depth knowledge of the legal players within the offshore centres, European, Asian and US jurisdictions.
Our key focus is on Partner and Associate moves cross-border recruiting the Global Internationalist lawyers of tomorrow.
We are committed to providing the most effective solution to our clients, and to this end, we commit ourselves to one client in each industry sector at any one time for a retained search.
Our evolution has been characterised by a continuous quest for excellence and pioneering of new concepts in response to - and in advance of - our clients' needs.
Our aim is partnership with our clients, enabling us to reposition the traditional consultant-client relationship to one of shared vision, opportunity and mutual benefit for the firm and Able Fisher.
As the legal risks of doing business have escalated, the competition to attract the best solicitors and partners has intensified.
Making the right hiring decisions is clearly the cornerstone of effective personnel development, yet the Search Process is time consuming and unpredictable. This is where Able Fisher fits in.
We have the professional skills and business resources to conduct even the most difficult legal searches, identifying, recruiting and motivating the best lawyer with speed and efficiency.
All of our professional assets are focused on one purpose: to achieve the personnel objectives of our clients.
We at Able Fisher understand that the Search Process is not simply about filling a position, but about shaping a more productive legal department for the future - a department that will maximize our clients' efficiency and performance.
Able Fisher consultants have had experience in recruiting within all major areas that include at partner and associate level:
- International Arbitration
- Venture Capital / Private Equity
- Telecom
- US Securities
- EU competition / Anti-trust
- Intellectual Property
- shipping
- Real Estate
- Project Finance
- Securitisation
- Derivatives
- corporate finance
- Banking
- Tax
- Energy
We are supported by dedicated research teams across Europe, Middle East, Asia and the US that provide the best and most updated information to escalate the Search Process.
We benefit from the extensive client and candidate portfolio of contacts, market and industry publications, reports and press releases.
Our objective is to partner our clients throughout the search and selection process on one simple methodology. Results driven professionalism with a focus on recruiting the best Legal talent globally.
Able Fisher's approach and search solutions globally give our partnered clients access to a worldwide legal talent pool specifically selected to meet client criteria.
Our database covers a wide range of top lawyers, at every level and in every practice area. Our reputation and unique approach give us access to many attorneys not available through standard job search channels.
Our mission is to find the best lawyers for our clients, efficiently and effectively. We serve our clients by recruiting candidates who not only will be hired, but also will become long term producers in their new positions.
We identify, recruit and motivate candidates possessing superior qualifications, relevant professional experience and proven academic excellence.
Finding that ideal alignment between the interests of both client and candidate is a significant part of what we do. This means learning the culture, systems, plans and patterns of development of the client, and matching them with a candidate's objectives, needs and personal style.
We approach every search we undertake through a process designed to focus on the specific needs of our clients, while considering the widest range of potential candidates. The following are the fundamental stages of our Search Process:
Phase One - Culture Review
This first stage, ignored or underestimated by many others, is critical to our success. In order to achieve our goal of the perfect "fit", we must develop a complete understanding of our client.
We work with the client to create an image of the "ideal candidate" for the job. It is this image which will translate into the candidate profile, setting out the specific practice skills required, the number of years of experience needed, desired personality characteristics, and how the attorney will complement the existing organization.
To represent all client firms accurately in the market, Able Fisher need to collect "hard" facts and "soft" values as a firm and the various practices. The next step would be to interview the partner in charge of the practice area and a number of his/her colleagues in the team.
Phase Two - Research
Our next step would be to undertake some extensive desk research to determine the law firms within which potential candidates should be sought.
This would be followed by identification of appropriate individuals, discussions with knowledgeable sources, networking and informal reference checking.
This phase would take 6-8 weeks assuming we would be looking in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.
Phase Three - Strategy Review
Able Fisher would retain contact with the firm throughout the search and it is Able Fisher's practice to have a strategy meeting at the end of the research phase.
Able Fisher would present a comprehensive report on the ground covered, the people identified, their experience and salary levels and any other issues arising from our extensive reconnaissance.
This report gives both you and Able Fisher the chance to evaluate the initial hypothesis as to the type of individual sought against specific profiles. The outcome of this meeting would be a very clear definition of the priority candidates we would process.
Phase Four - Full Search
The next step would be to interview numerous candidates and set deadlines for interviews and feedback to you and the candidate as well as to discuss any off-limits.
The Candidate Referral
We carefully interview all candidates identified during the screening and recruiting processes to determine their abilities, depth of practice experience, motivation, short and long term career goals and other intangible qualities necessary to provide that proper "fit" with the client.
Only those candidates who most closely match the search parameters are referred to the client for an interview.
Arranging the Initial Meeting
We aid in setting up the initial interview, and help both sides prepare for this crucial encounter. We understand the need to draw out concerns and address potential issues - on both sides - prior to any initial meeting.
We work with the client and the candidate so that both can effectively communicate what they are looking for and what they have to offer.
Post-interview Consultation
We follow up each client/candidate meeting to elicit comments or concerns, advise on the selection of final candidates, address compensation issues, conduct reference checks and facilitate the hiring process.
If and when both sides are convinced that a match has been made, we are ready for the final stage: the extension of an offer and its acceptance.
In our established role as intermediary, we can help speed this process to its conclusion.
Transition
After the acceptance of the offer, we assist during the transition stage. We prepare the candidate for the resignation interview, handle any counteroffer situations, negotiate an early start date and ensure that the move to the new position is quick, smooth and successful.
What added value does a Legal recruitment company provide to a firm?
Able Fisher assists a firm in determining the parameters of a search, identifying, evaluating and recruiting potential candidates, managing the interviewing process, and providing valuable feedback at each step of the way.
Where do you find qualified candidates that fit our organization's specific parameters?
We are in the legal community talking to leading lawyers on a daily basis. Able Fisher's wide range of contacts provide us with a tremendous network of referrals and recommendations, and we rely upon our state-of-the-art database.
The needs of my firm are confidential. Can our search be handled in a discrete, proprietary manner?
One of the reasons Able Fisher have been successful is that we are utterly discrete. As lawyers, we understand the meaning of confidentiality for both candidates and clients.
Do you pre screen candidates before they are referred?
Yes. We meet and interview every potential candidate before a referral to avoid wasting your time and to ensure an appropriate fit for all retained search assignments.
How will our organization be represented to best reflect our image and objectives?
Before undertaking a project, we meet with your key people as well as do our own research in order to gain a complete understanding of the organization, its culture and needs. Only then, armed with that information, do Able Fisher approach potential candidates on your behalf.
We know our competitors - shouldn't we just contact candidates on our own?
Probably not. Sometimes it is awkward for you to do so. Able Fisher can do it in a more organized and effective manner. Most importantly, we can ensure that it is done in a timely manner. This is our full time occupation, and we can accomplish results promptly, not on a catch-as-catch-can basis.
"We have found Able Fisher to be very professional, pragmatic and highly effective. They have a very good understanding of their clients' needs. They always listen and diligently follow through with both the client and the candidate so that the right fit for both parties is achieved. We enjoy working with them and recommend their services highly."
"I am delighted with the pro-active and professional way Able Fisher has approached our recruitment assignments. They have been placing top quality candidates with us for some months now and I am continually impressed with their ability to understand and meet our requirements. Dealing with Able Fisher is always a pleasure and I cannot recommend their services highly enough."
"Able Fisher performed a completely professional job in finding appropriate candidates for this position, were also totally professional in being available, offering constructive advice and following up on this assignment at all stages."
Partners
Able Fisher Search focuses on partner placements as well as dealing with senior assistants or associates who are seeking partnership. Our experience is broad and has included senior hires from and to the Magic Circle, US law firm start ups, in-house placements and international partner moves.
