In-House Testimonials

Client

“Michelle is a resilient Recruiter who works well under pressure and with a constantly changing landscape. She strives to achieve the right results at the right time. Michelle has a professional approach to each role and is comfortable working at all stakeholder levels.”

HR Manager at Equifax

I have enjoyed working with First Counsel and was impressed with what they did for the RFU. A campaign for us generated a very significant level of interest and First Counsel handled the process efficiently and provided us with very credible shortlists for two roles, both of which led to successful appointments. Their assessment of applicants was insightful and made a challenging selection process, with a very high calibre and competitive field of lawyers, much easier. I am very happy to recommend First Counsel.”

Karena Vleck, Head of Legal, RFU

“FC made the whole recruitment process, from start to finish, as painless as possible. They quickly assessed our requirements and through targeted advertising and briefings translated that into a strong long list of candidates for initial consideration, which led to a high quality shortlist from which we interviewed and found our preferred candidate. FC was able to give constructive advice on both positioning the role and candidate expectations and I would therefore not hesitate to recommend them for in-house legal recruitment.”

Adam Batty, General Counsel of Domino’s Pizza Group Limited

“It was a pleasure working with Michelle Corneby at First Counsel. Against a tough brief she delivered good CVs and we recruited someone who exactly met the spec. Processes were handled efficiently and customer and candidate management was first class”.

HR Manager at a Metals Trading Company

"I have been extremely pleased with the approach that First Counsel took in helping us identify a new General Counsel. It was effortless working with Chris in terms of shortlisting and gaining candidate insight all the way through to the final close. Chris genuinely invested time to ensure he fully appreciated our company culture and values before he started to look at candidates who would fit into this environment. I wouldn't hesitate to work with Chris again."

Raj Verma, Corporate HR Director, Sodexo

"First Counsel is a cut above the rest. They listen to their clients and don't try to fit square pegs into round holes. They have done a great job for Grass Roots in providing us with two excellent lawyers at very different stages of our rapid worldwide expansion."

Helen O'Byrne, General Counsel, Grass Roots Group PLC

"First Counsel combined an efficient and pro-active service with a genuine and likeable team."

Iain Simm, Group General Counsel, BBA Aviation

"I was very pleased with First Counsel's service in helping me to secure a new senior lawyer for my team at Cushman & Wakefield. Michelle Corneby took the time to understand my specific requirements and the unique culture of our organisation before selecting a small number of candidates to put forward that fitted the bill. Although First Counsel did not have an exclusive mandate for this role, we ended up interviewing only candidates that Michelle had found for us because of her thorough approach. They were all of a very high standard and we have successfully hired a top quality lawyer on his first move in-house. First Counsel also took the pain away of preparing the advert at short notice to meet print deadlines."

Rachel Harris, Executive Officer and European Counsel, Cushman & Wakefield

"Chris Cayley and First Counsel care. It is as simple as that. They take the time to understand what you are looking for, guide you when you simply don't know, and ultimately find you the perfect fit for the role. He and his colleague are one of the few in the recruitment business who understand companies, understand people and understand roles. Their expertise is rare, and coupled with Chris' great personality it makes him someone with whom you can partner with ease on your recruitment project."

Jo Bower IMI plc

"We (the recruiting organization, and candidate, at that stage) share similar views: you did a really good job and really cared; you stood out from the "run of the mill" recruiter by adding value to the actual process, rather than merely introducing a CV. A friend of mine, who is a headhunter in a non-legal sector, personally recommended First Counsel to me. I found all interactions with you to be very professional and efficient. I felt we understood each other well throughout the process and you took considerable care (and time) to make sure that I, the candidate, was kept regularly up-dated with all relevant information, including detailed feedback. You were also keen to understand my concerns; I felt you actively listened and helped to increase understanding between candidate and recruiting organization, which helped me to come to a decision to join."

Gilead Sciences Europe

"We were very pleased with First Counsel's service, which was attentive and efficient. They were keen to understand fully our culture, "set-up" and detailed requirements, and as a result they were able to find candidates who were right for us."

Martin Armstrong, Legal Director - Philips Electronics UK

"First Counsel did a terrific job helping us recruit a senior lawyer for the role of International Counsel. As a recruiter they were exemplary, but more importantly they added value by providing quality guidance and advice which I valued and relied upon throughout the process. Their wisdom and experience really showed. I would be happy to instruct them again and to recommend them."

Reinsurance Group of America

"I have been working with First Counsel for some time now and most recently on an advertising campaign, as a result of which we have made an appointment. I found them knowledgeable about the market, responsive and enjoyable to work with. First Counsel has consistently introduced a high calibre of applicant to WPP and I have been impressed by their ability source people from the backgrounds we are looking for. I have also always felt that they are listening and have mine and WPP's interests to the fore. In addition, their candid and pragmatic advice about the market and the people they introduce is noticeable and was appreciated. I will happily continue to use them and to recommend them."

WPP plc

"I was very pleased with how First Counsel handled our assignment. We were looking to appoint our first lawyer in Europe and First Counsel provided a shortlist of applicants, all of whom had very relevant experience for the role, quickly and effectively. We were able to make an appointment from that shortlist and are delighted by the outcome, after a process that was trouble free. I enjoyed working with First Counsel and happily recommend them."

Royal Caribbean Cruises

"We have worked successfully with First Counsel on a number of assignments now and value their involvement in the recruitment process. They have a professional approach, provide constructive advice and have taken the time to get to know Beazley. As a result, they consistently introduce relevant and high calibre people to us, which has resulted in a number of successful appointments."

Beazley PLC

"We really appreciated First Counsel's professionalism in our recruitment process. They consistently introduced high calibre people to us, which led to a successful appointment. We have dealt with other recruiters in the past and can recommend First Counsel as by far the best."

Leading Investment Fund

"I was very pleased with the work that First Counsel undertook for Inspired Gaming. They were successful in finding people for us for two very different and challenging roles. They produced strong applicants for both positions, gave excellent advice throughout the process and were enjoyable to work with."

Inspired Gaming

"First Counsel successfully identified our first Legal Counsel. We found their service to be thorough and professional, and they worked with us to ensure a successful completion of the assignment. I have no hesitation in recommending or using First Counsel again in the future."

Scottish Re

"First Counsel successfully managed the recruitment campaign for our in-house International Legal Counsel. Throughout the campaign I found their service to be excellent. An appropriate short-list was provided in a timely manner, resulting in the successful appointment of our chosen candidate. Should the need arise, I would use the services of First Counsel in the future."

FM Global

"First Counsel provided an excellent service and identified a first class list of candidates for a key position in our organisation. They were professional, helpful and responsive at all times and provided spot-on advice throughout. I was delighted to have had the benefit of their guidance and experience during the recruitment process."

Save The Children

"I was very pleased with the service I received from First Counsel, who quickly and effectively sourced applicants for us. We have now recruited someone whom we are delighted to have joining the group. First Counsel clearly put the interests of MWH and the applicant first and I am more than happy to recommend them."