qualified candidates Archives

A Legal Recruiter Relationship is Important

One missed call from a legal recruiter could be costing you money! The phone rings, you answer and it’s a legal recruiter…UGH! You are so busy – but, if your first reaction is to end the call. STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT. Good recruiters are your spotlights onto the marketplace, they are loaded with information and that information costs you nothing! Even if you are happy with your current position and have no intention of leaving, staying abreast of superlative “HOT” opportunities at all times, is purely beneficial to you. Obviously, when a recruiter is a talented professional, they are making quality matches. If those matches lead to you, it could literally be invaluable to your career, income or lifestyle. So, TAKE THE CALL!! (or else set up a convenient time to talk) It’s a 2-way street Allow the recruiter to learn about you, but you mirror that effort as well. How long has the legal recruiter been in the industry? Are they protecting you, the candidate, in a confidential manner? What is the process? Evaluate the communication skills of the recruiter and listen – to learn whether or not they care about making intelligent, quality matches. Make sure the recruiter will not waste your time. At Collier Legal Search, our company motto is “to waste no one’s time” – because, quite simply, it’s bad for business. We thrive on providing a service so seamless that it produces quality placements and endless referrals.Gain Valuable Information Just as accurate, timely and useful information can make or break the outcome of a case, the same applies to your career. An experienced recruiter knows what’s going on in the market locally, regionally, and nationally and will share that information with you. They have their finger on the pulse of the legal market and can tell you who is moving, hiring, opening up in Houston, the most competitive salary and benefits packages, evolving vertical markets, and shifts in the legal landscape. They conduct extensive research, continually update their information and are very well connected. Career Planning Speaking to a recruiter and building that relationship as early as possible in your career can help put your career on the path you want. Whether your goals are to make partner eventually, to work for a multinational firm, to work in-house, or to retire early, you will be able to turn to your recruiter for general guidance regarding your career development. When opportunities match your goals, your recruiter will assist you in pursuing the position. Keep in mind that a job search can often take up to a year or longer, so don’t wait until you are ready to leave your current firm to reach out to a legal recruiter. Networking Powerhouse We live and work in a highly connected world where who you know (and who they know) is very important. Professional legal recruiters are established as some of the most valuable fixtures in the legal community. So, become part of that powerful, though a private network. Confidentiality Interested in speaking with a recruiter, but worried about your current employer finding out? A good professional search consultant provides a thorough service while fiercely protecting the candidate’s confidentiality. Discretion is key to their business success, and legal recruiters will not submit your information to any potential employer without your authorization. If you have any concerns about confidentiality, your recruiter should be able to explain exactly how and when your information will be shared. Full-Service Legal Staffing You Can Depend On If you are ready to start developing a professional relationship with a trusted advisor, contact a consultant at Collier Legal Search to find out how we can help you attain your career goals. Collier Legal Search is a full-service legal staffing company that specializes in placing well-credentialed partners, associates and legal professionals at every level in law firms and corporations. Our experience in the industry, inside knowledge of all law firms and unique vast network all work together to deliver top results. We are committed to maximizing success for our clients and our candidates. Contact us at 832-239-5253 and let us go to work for you. Or, next time we phone you, TAKE THE CALL!

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Legal Hiring Trends / 4th Quarter Outlook

Blogs, Candidates, Employers / collierlegal

As job growth outpaces the rest of the nation, here is the local legal outlook and legal hiring trends in Texas. According to the fall figures released by the Dallas Fed, 2018 Texas job growth outpaced the rest of the nation, rising to 1st place, up from 9th in 2017. The hot local economy has also impacted the legal arena with law firms setting up shop and expanding operations in Texas at a frenzied pace. Dozens of firms opened offices in Houston between 2001 and 2018, lured by the strong economy, the high-profile energy sector and the growing list of corporate headquarters. Some of the fastest-growing practice areas in Texas include energy, corporate, real estate, international, employment, environmental, and immigration law. This explosion in law firms has created a frenetic lateral market and a near-constant churn in support staff. The growth has brought several recruiting and legal hiring trends into the forefront: Higher compensation To recruit candidates and improve retention rates, employers are increasing the starting salaries for attorneys. Some law firms seek tenured associates with proven track records; others are taking the opposite approach and recruiting attorneys with two to three years of experience and offering training. Amped up Benefits While salary will always be one of the top considerations, more firms are finding that attractive benefits and perks package can tip the balances in their favor. Some of the less traditional benefits and perks include holistic health and wellness programs, gender-neutral family leave, work-from-home options and paid volunteer hours. Focus on Firm Culture Large law firms are seeing Millennials leave to work at smaller law firms with a better work-life balance. Diversity, community service and how associates are treated are all essential aspects of firm culture. Personality Profiles Degrees and experience are essential, however, hiring managers must also determine whether someone will thrive in the organization’s culture. Hiring the right fit can dramatically reduce turnover and increase productivity, translating into higher profits for the firm. Personality assessments are becoming more common to gauge interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Tech-Savvy Support Paralegals who can perform multiple duties are in high demand since they can deliver some of the work traditionally handled by associates. Hybrid paralegal/legal secretary roles are more common as clerical responsibilities have become streamlined by technology. Non Lawyer Professionals To remain competitive and innovative, many law firms have realized that they must operate more like a business. Non-lawyer professionals are increasingly hired to handle key marketing and development operations. Some new positions in law firms include chief talent officer, chief pricing strategist, director of practice management and director of business development. Staffing Flexibility Even in a booming market, successful law firms must be flexible and agile. Many are turning to legal staffing firms to quickly scale up talent when projects demand and then reduce when the project is completed. Temporary hires can also be thoroughly evaluated for personality and skill before making a permanent, and expensive, final offer. This option allows firms to increase manpower without increasing payroll expenses. Full-Service Legal Staffing You Can Depend On Collier Legal Search is a full-service legal staffing company that specializes in placing well-credentialed partners, associates and legal professionals at every level in law firms and corporations. Our experience in the industry and a unique approach to building our candidate database consistently delivers results that clients can depend on. We are committed to maximizing success for our clients and our candidates. Contact us at 832-239-5253 to give us the opportunity to work with you.

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Growing Your Staff in 2018

Candidates, Jobs / collierlegal

Are you growing your staff in 2018? Here are a few hiring tips. In the coming year, successful law firms will further experiment and innovate to add depth to their practices, develop more profit centers, and deliver cost-effective service to clients. Legal recruiting in this competitive market is challenging, but doable, with the right recruiting partner. Firms who intend to add legal resources in 2018 must carefully weigh the cost of a new hire against the return on investment. Hiring in any of the following categories is far more efficient, plus easier, with the help of a seasoned legal recruiter with in-depth knowledge of the marketplace: Partners A recent study found that over 30 percent of equity partners are currently at or approaching retirement age. Firms who are losing experienced talent to retirement often look to competing firms to replenish the ranks of high-level partners. Established partners with profitable practices, in-demand skill sets, and portable clients are the most sought after. Whether it’s a single partner or an entire practice group, adding these tier-one attorneys is a way to expand a firm’s client base and expertise. HOW COLLIER LEGAL SEARCH CAN HELP We are focused entirely on your specific needs and can discreetly approach partners and identify practice groups that may be a fit for your organization. Associates Identifying and recruiting qualified, experienced mid- to senior-level associates continues to be challenging because there are fewer available candidates. In the wake of the 2008 recession, many firms hired fewer associates. Those who were hired during the lean years are now rising through the ranks with their collective eye on equity partnership. Adding one or more seasoned associates to your firm can impact productivity since these associates need minimal training. Additionally, maintaining a robust team of junior talent allows a law firm to deal with partner retirement issues more efficiently. The Power of Temporary Attorneys Corporate legal departments and law firms of all sizes greatly increase profitability by utilizing contract (temp) attorneys to handle overflow and project work. By using Collier Legal Search (CLS) employees as your temps, your liabilities and costs disappear because CLS (as the employer) absorbs those expenses. Support Staff The role of paralegals is evolving. They now perform legal research and discovery—activities for which the firm can bill their clients. During times of work overflow, contract (temp) paralegals make a lot of financial sense as opposed to hiring someone permanently. Outstanding and efficient Legal Secretaries allow the billers (attorneys and paralegals) to be more productive, greatly enhancing the bottom line of the legal entity. Here again, the efficient use of temporary legal secretaries brings great value. HOW COLLIER LEGAL SEARCH CAN HELP We can help you expand your talent pool. We have an expansive database and network which constantly draws in outstanding associate legal talent at all levels. Once we know your specific hiring needs and goals, we will identify the best candidates saving you time and money. With regard to all temporary recruiting and staffing, Collier Legal Search handles all costs including taxes, benefits, and payroll. Specialists Many managing partners have stepped away from daily operations and now rely on experienced professionals in finance, strategy, business development, marketing, technology, cybersecurity, pricing, knowledge management, and talent. A legal technology specialist provides technical support for large e-discovery projects, document production, and document reviews. A legal technology specialist requires advanced knowledge of document management software programs and database manipulation as well as a thorough understanding of federal and state rules of civil procedure. A pricing specialist is one of the fastest-growing support roles in law firms. Law firms are facing increased pressure from clients to alter their pricing from the traditional billable hour. How matters are priced is becoming a central support function within law firms. The ability to evaluate different types of legal work and apply the appropriate pricing models is becoming increasingly valuable. HOW COLLIER LEGAL SEARCH CAN HELP We are on top of the latest trends and developments in the legal industry and can help your firm identify specific needs and specialists that can elevate your firm from the competition. Full-Service Legal Staffing You Can Depend On Collier Legal Search is a full-service legal staffing company that specializes in placing well-credentialed partners, associates and legal professionals at every level in law firms and corporations. Our experience in the industry and a unique approach to building our candidate database consistently delivers results that clients can depend on. We are committed to maximizing success for our clients and our candidates. Contact us at 832-239-5253 to give us the opportunity to work with you.

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Boost Your Firm’s Productivity in 2018

Blogs, Employers / collierlegal

Are you looking to boost your firm’s productivity in 2018? Here are a few easy ways. In today’s competitive market, law firms have learned to work harder for every dollar they earn. Most firms have already cut costs and diversified services to improve profitability. Maximizing productivity on every level is another way to streamline operations and benefit the bottom line. Everyone in the firm gets 24 hours each day. How those hours are spent determines firm productivity which translates directly to profitability. Here are some simple ways to recapture valuable time that may currently be wasted: Assign the right person for the job A law firm’s biggest productivity killer is using attorneys for tasks that don’t earn revenue. If lawyers are answering phones and sorting their mail, the firm is flushing money down the drain. The same can be said for law firm associates who are spending hours on document review; instead, consider utilizing far less costly project personnel like temporary attorneys or other legal professionals to work hourly on this kind of volume-driven work. Automate one thing There are many software programs on the market that help law firms become more efficient with various tasks from administrative functions to research to case management. Select one area to automate in 2018. For example, if the firm still utilizes a manual billing process then it’s highly likely that time and money is being wasted. Manual billing systems are cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to errors. Speed up the computers A slow computer can add seconds or minutes to every single task, not to mention frustration and agitation. Those few seconds here and there across the firm can add up over the course of the year. Reclaim lost time by speeding up every computer in the firm. Uninstall programs that aren’t being used. Run the Windows Disk Cleanup tool to create more free space on the hard drive. Disable programs that aren’t needed at startup since those programs run in the background all day, slowing computers down. A few minutes here and there may not seem like much, but it can add up over the year and across the firm. Reduce meeting times Are all of the firm’s regularly scheduled meetings necessary? Do they drag on longer than needed? Every minute spent in an unproductive meeting is time wasted. Consider eliminating some meetings, limiting them to less than one hour and sticking to the time limit, or switching to some online meetings. Cloud-based collaboration tools can eliminate some meetings. Implement daily “Uninterrupted Time” for attorneys Many lawyers feel that they are most productive late at night or on weekends. It’s during these times that they can fully focus on a project because they are not distracted by ringing phones, administrative tasks, or other staff members. Stress the importance of at least an hour of daily uninterrupted time for billable work. During this time, the attorney should not answer calls or emails or be interrupted by coworkers. Provide food Energy is essential to a productive workday. If your attorneys are low on energy or hungry, they will be less productive or may spend more time than necessary trying to find something to eat. Stock the office with easy to eat light meals or energy and protein-rich snacks foods to help stave off the midday crash. It may also serve to increase productive time in the office if staff members occasionally stay in instead of leaving for lunch. At Collier Legal Search, we understand that your time is valuable. Contact us today and let us help with your firm’s temporary and permanent staffing needs.

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