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"At Burges Salmon, we were delighted to have worked with Gary Jones and Debbie Collett of First Counsel in recruiting our new HR Director. They not only gave us a good summary of candidates' experience, but they also fully understood the nature of the role we were seeking to fill, providing clear advice which added real value to us in our decision-making – and all that with humour and a light touch which made Gary and Debbie a pleasure to deal with."
"Kennedys used Tim Skipper and Gary Jones of First Counsel for the appointment of its HR Director. They impressed from the outset at their pitch with their interest, enthusiasm and obvious knowledge of the market place. From that moment they handled the assignment impeccably. They produced a quality long list, from which we interviewed 6 excellent candidates. We duly appointed within the time-frame and budget agreed. The candidates all remarked on the effectiveness and smooth running of the campaign; we too were kept informed and provided with all the supporting materials we requested. All in all it was a thoroughly professional and pleasurable experience. We would certainly use them again and have already recommended them to another law firm."
"A good recruitment agency is defined as much by what it doesn't do as by it what it does do. It doesn't inundate you with CVs, it doesn't simply summarise the candidate's career history in their covering note without adding insight, and it doesn't waste your time by sending along candidates who, despite a respectable CV, are clearly not right for the job or the firm. Amazingly, very few recruitment agencies seem to pass this simple test. Recruitment takes an enormous amount of my time, so I only want to work with firms that really understand our needs and ensure that candidates are the right calibre and fit with our team. First Counsel are one of the few that meet this test. Their candidate assessments knock spots off those provided by even their best competitors. I like their people and find them straight talking and helpful."
"First Counsel took on this assignment with enthusiasm and were comfortable advising us on it from the start, armed with valuable previous experience. Following a Sunday Times advert, they screened applicants and put forward a very strong shortlist, which ultimately yielded three new joiners. Gary Jones and Deborah Collett worked together well as a team, providing us with a highly responsive service.
To find three people of the right calibre for such a role is far from easy and we are grateful to First Counsel for their skill, dedication and experience during the process, as well as their good humour."
"As a firm we always try to be one step ahead in how we manage the delivery of our services to our clients. Crucial to that is how we internally manage our core Practice Groups. When we identified a need for high level business support to these Groups, we turned to First Counsel who, like us, have kept one step ahead of their competition. Each time we have used First Counsel, they have presented us with a number of very credible options and delivered the quality of candidate we have needed for these senior management positions often working to very specific briefs. More than that though they have been a pleasure to deal with: responsive, professional, sensible and most of all, highly effective in finding these pivotal individuals for our business."
"We initially used First Counsel because they listened to what we wanted, thoroughly researched and profiled each candidate and gave us a balanced and informative opinion based on more than just the CV. The more we have worked with them, the more they have demonstrated an ability to consistently perform at the highest level. They are a first class outfit and a very likeable bunch of people."
"First Counsel really do take time to understand what I am looking for, understand how we work and make good judgments about who would work well within our team and our business."
"After a long and fruitless executive search, First Counsel took on what had been described as a near-impossible task and within a few weeks had found the right candidate for the role. They are responsive, creative and, ultimately most importantly, know their market."
"First Counsel responded swiftly and professionally to provide a number of high calibre candidates thus demonstrating their full understanding of the brief. At all times communication between us was very good and as a result we were able to make a successful appointment in a relatively short space of time. We enjoy working with First Counsel and look forward to doing so again in the future."
"It was proving to take a little longer than we thought to recruit the perfect director of business development and someone recommended we talk to the interim team at First Counsel. Within a short space of time, they found us the solution: a seasoned interim director of business development. Hitting the ground running, she provided effective leadership to our marketing team and to our marketing efforts over a period of six months. More than this, she gave us the benefit of her broader commercial experience. All in all, we were able to maintain momentum and take the time required to select absolutely the right permanent appointee."
"On two occasions recently we needed to hire in specialist expertise on an interim basis. In both cases, the need was urgent and in both cases First Counsel delivered the goods. In short order, they found us the right interim manager for the job. The first, a marketing manager, completed a three-month project in just two months; the second, an interim head of business development, came in, held the fort and added significant value while we recruited for the permanent position. Interim management is a pragmatic solution to short-term resourcing problems. First Counsel delivers that solution better than anyone."
"I enjoyed working with Tim Skipper immensely. We were looking for a consultant that really understood our business, could demonstrate a sound knowledge of the market and would be a strong ambassador for us when representing the opportunity we had. Tim met our expectations and we have been able to recruit a fantastic candidate for our role. Throughout our process, Tim was completely on the ball and gave very honest, practical advice - something that I valued greatly. We will work with First Counsel again and look forward to continuing the relationship."
"I asked First Counsel to assist me in recruiting a Director of Human Resources and a Director of Marketing. They were very helpful not only in finding good recruits but in helping me prepare job descriptions and articulate what I was looking for in a way that would be attractive to high calibre candidates in the market place. I found their approach professional, knowledgeable and user friendly and would highly recommend them to others"
"I wanted to write to formally thank you and Debbie for all of your work in assisting us with the recruitment of a Chief Operating Officer. All of those involved at Harbottle & Lewis have been very impressed with the service you have provided and we feel sure that your assistance is a key element in us having successfully recruited."
"The assignment was not simple: to search for a mid-level, high-potential legal marketeer to take over marketing and BD activities in our Rome office. Moreover, to make it even more complex is the fact that legal marketing is a relatively new field in Italy, thus scarcity of experienced people puts an extra challenge. First Counsel promptly delivered in a creative and somehow surprising way: they were able to identify a US-based candidate, perfectly bilingual with exactly the experience and potential we were looking for and - above all - eager to relocate. Then the search process: it has been managed in a very professional way with clear reporting and prompt updates."
"Bates Wells and Braithwaite employed First Counsel to help us in the search for our first Partnership Executive Officer. I am very glad we did so. They helped us produce a focused job description and then handled the sifting of the 120 applicants down to a manageable shortlist from which we had 3 good candidates with the result that we were able to offer the job and make an appointment all within our timescale. I have no doubt that without First Counsel's role we would not have achieved this result. They were throughout very professional, supportive and efficient."
Law Firm Management Testimonials
Client
"I had an urgent need for a very high calibre and senior business development professional to lead the BD support team of the firm's largest practice. I took a risk, and rather than use one of the firm's usual search agencies, appointed First Counsel to find me someone. They did not disappoint - producing an excellent short list of candidates from which we chose who we believe to be one of the very best professionals in the market. The service First Counsel provided was efficient, commercial and straightforward - I would have no hesitation in recommending Tim, Debs and the team."Matthew Fuller - Global Head of Business Development, Herbert Smith LLP
"At Burges Salmon, we were delighted to have worked with Gary Jones and Debbie Collett of First Counsel in recruiting our new HR Director. They not only gave us a good summary of candidates' experience, but they also fully understood the nature of the role we were seeking to fill, providing clear advice which added real value to us in our decision-making – and all that with humour and a light touch which made Gary and Debbie a pleasure to deal with."
Helen Scott-Lawler - Partner, Burgess Salmon
"Kennedys used Tim Skipper and Gary Jones of First Counsel for the appointment of its HR Director. They impressed from the outset at their pitch with their interest, enthusiasm and obvious knowledge of the market place. From that moment they handled the assignment impeccably. They produced a quality long list, from which we interviewed 6 excellent candidates. We duly appointed within the time-frame and budget agreed. The candidates all remarked on the effectiveness and smooth running of the campaign; we too were kept informed and provided with all the supporting materials we requested. All in all it was a thoroughly professional and pleasurable experience. We would certainly use them again and have already recommended them to another law firm."
Guy Stobart – Chief Executive, Kennedys
"A good recruitment agency is defined as much by what it doesn't do as by it what it does do. It doesn't inundate you with CVs, it doesn't simply summarise the candidate's career history in their covering note without adding insight, and it doesn't waste your time by sending along candidates who, despite a respectable CV, are clearly not right for the job or the firm. Amazingly, very few recruitment agencies seem to pass this simple test. Recruitment takes an enormous amount of my time, so I only want to work with firms that really understand our needs and ensure that candidates are the right calibre and fit with our team. First Counsel are one of the few that meet this test. Their candidate assessments knock spots off those provided by even their best competitors. I like their people and find them straight talking and helpful."
Serena Simmons, Director of Business Development, Lovells
"First Counsel took on this assignment with enthusiasm and were comfortable advising us on it from the start, armed with valuable previous experience. Following a Sunday Times advert, they screened applicants and put forward a very strong shortlist, which ultimately yielded three new joiners. Gary Jones and Deborah Collett worked together well as a team, providing us with a highly responsive service.
To find three people of the right calibre for such a role is far from easy and we are grateful to First Counsel for their skill, dedication and experience during the process, as well as their good humour."
Jonathan Bond, Director of HR & Learning, Pinsent Masons LLP, following the recruitment of three Business Managers
"As a firm we always try to be one step ahead in how we manage the delivery of our services to our clients. Crucial to that is how we internally manage our core Practice Groups. When we identified a need for high level business support to these Groups, we turned to First Counsel who, like us, have kept one step ahead of their competition. Each time we have used First Counsel, they have presented us with a number of very credible options and delivered the quality of candidate we have needed for these senior management positions often working to very specific briefs. More than that though they have been a pleasure to deal with: responsive, professional, sensible and most of all, highly effective in finding these pivotal individuals for our business."
Michael Silver, National Recruitment Manager, DLA Piper UK LLP, following the recruitment of two Business Managers
"We initially used First Counsel because they listened to what we wanted, thoroughly researched and profiled each candidate and gave us a balanced and informative opinion based on more than just the CV. The more we have worked with them, the more they have demonstrated an ability to consistently perform at the highest level. They are a first class outfit and a very likeable bunch of people."
Mayer Brown, reflecting on First Counsel's work in recruiting a number of people for their marketing team
"First Counsel really do take time to understand what I am looking for, understand how we work and make good judgments about who would work well within our team and our business."
Gillian Sutherland, Business Development Partner, Davis Langdon
"After a long and fruitless executive search, First Counsel took on what had been described as a near-impossible task and within a few weeks had found the right candidate for the role. They are responsive, creative and, ultimately most importantly, know their market."
Taylor Wessing, following the recruitment of their Head of HR
"First Counsel responded swiftly and professionally to provide a number of high calibre candidates thus demonstrating their full understanding of the brief. At all times communication between us was very good and as a result we were able to make a successful appointment in a relatively short space of time. We enjoy working with First Counsel and look forward to doing so again in the future."
Watson Farley & Williams, following the recruitment of their HR Director
"It was proving to take a little longer than we thought to recruit the perfect director of business development and someone recommended we talk to the interim team at First Counsel. Within a short space of time, they found us the solution: a seasoned interim director of business development. Hitting the ground running, she provided effective leadership to our marketing team and to our marketing efforts over a period of six months. More than this, she gave us the benefit of her broader commercial experience. All in all, we were able to maintain momentum and take the time required to select absolutely the right permanent appointee."
Director of HR, leading Midlands law firm
"On two occasions recently we needed to hire in specialist expertise on an interim basis. In both cases, the need was urgent and in both cases First Counsel delivered the goods. In short order, they found us the right interim manager for the job. The first, a marketing manager, completed a three-month project in just two months; the second, an interim head of business development, came in, held the fort and added significant value while we recruited for the permanent position. Interim management is a pragmatic solution to short-term resourcing problems. First Counsel delivers that solution better than anyone."
Head of Administration, Anglo-US law firm
"I enjoyed working with Tim Skipper immensely. We were looking for a consultant that really understood our business, could demonstrate a sound knowledge of the market and would be a strong ambassador for us when representing the opportunity we had. Tim met our expectations and we have been able to recruit a fantastic candidate for our role. Throughout our process, Tim was completely on the ball and gave very honest, practical advice - something that I valued greatly. We will work with First Counsel again and look forward to continuing the relationship."
HR Director, Brodies
"I asked First Counsel to assist me in recruiting a Director of Human Resources and a Director of Marketing. They were very helpful not only in finding good recruits but in helping me prepare job descriptions and articulate what I was looking for in a way that would be attractive to high calibre candidates in the market place. I found their approach professional, knowledgeable and user friendly and would highly recommend them to others"
Alison Morley, Managing Director, Capsticks
"I wanted to write to formally thank you and Debbie for all of your work in assisting us with the recruitment of a Chief Operating Officer. All of those involved at Harbottle & Lewis have been very impressed with the service you have provided and we feel sure that your assistance is a key element in us having successfully recruited."
Neil Adleman, Partner, Harbottle & Lewis, following the recruitment of their first Chief Operating Officer
"The assignment was not simple: to search for a mid-level, high-potential legal marketeer to take over marketing and BD activities in our Rome office. Moreover, to make it even more complex is the fact that legal marketing is a relatively new field in Italy, thus scarcity of experienced people puts an extra challenge. First Counsel promptly delivered in a creative and somehow surprising way: they were able to identify a US-based candidate, perfectly bilingual with exactly the experience and potential we were looking for and - above all - eager to relocate. Then the search process: it has been managed in a very professional way with clear reporting and prompt updates."
Allen & Overy, Rome, following the recruitment of a BD Manager
"Bates Wells and Braithwaite employed First Counsel to help us in the search for our first Partnership Executive Officer. I am very glad we did so. They helped us produce a focused job description and then handled the sifting of the 120 applicants down to a manageable shortlist from which we had 3 good candidates with the result that we were able to offer the job and make an appointment all within our timescale. I have no doubt that without First Counsel's role we would not have achieved this result. They were throughout very professional, supportive and efficient."