Over 25 Years of West Coast Legal Recruiting

Since 1997, Swan Legal Search has placed thousands of attorneys at law firms throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. We are proud to partner with international, AmLaw 100 and 200, middle market, regional and boutique law firms and assist with their strategic hiring needs. Our recruiters are former practicing attorneys and legal professionals and are passionate about assisting attorneys as they navigate career transitions. Whether you’re a lawyer or a law firm, we welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

I’m a lawyer.

I’m a law firm.

The SLS Edge

  • We're industry leaders.

    For over 25 years, Swan Legal Search has been a leader in the California legal recruiting industry. We are well-respected within the community and maintain excellent relationships with a wide range of law firms. Our success is a direct reflection of the commitment, accountability and integrity we bring to each search.

  • We have an excellent team.

    We are a woman-owned and operated search firm with a diverse team. Our recruiters are former lawyers and legal professionals who understand how exceptional legal careers are built. We listen. We counsel. We're pros at finding the right match for our candidates and clients. We take pride in our work and love what we do!

  • We maintain a strong network.

    Our network of attorneys and recruiting professionals on the West Coast is second to none. We have placed many associates who, over time, have become Hiring Partners, Managing Partners, and Executive Committee Members at law firms. Our perspective and guidance has been trusted by both attorneys and law firms for decades.

  • We're confidential.

    Swan Legal Search is a proud member of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC), the industry’s top association. We are committed to upholding and exceeding the highest ethical standards in the field. Our team works with integrity and maintains relationships with candidates and clients in an extremely confidential and professional manner.

Advice

  • The Myriad Benefits of Working with a Legal Recruiter

    We think that using a legal recruiter is a no-brainer decision, one with no down side and diverse benefits. Here are a few reasons to use a legal recruiter.

What our candidates are saying.

  • Andrea was recommended to me by my former client, who told me she had placed a number of successful attorneys at the best firms in the Silicon Valley area. My experience was no different - Andrea captured all great opportunities in the market and helped me choose the best one that suits my needs.

    Associate, Quinn Emmanuel

  • I had such a wonderful experience working with Zsaleh. Throughout the whole application/interviewing process, she was encouraging, helpful, compassionate, and communicative. I also really appreciated how she and her team at Swan Legal have legal backgrounds, which enabled them to provide me with deeper insights into certain firms. I would highly recommend her to any attorney searching for a new role.

    Associate, Paul Hastings

  • I worked with Zach for my first lateral move, which was a retool into a different practice. His approach to recruiting is personal, attentive and sincere. He gave a lot of his time, making himself available via email, text and phone to provide support from the application through the decision processes. Working with him, I could understand why he has such strong relationships in the industry - he makes you feel supported and really advocates for the candidates he is working with.

    Associate, Hanson Bridgett

  • Mindy was fantastic. She guided me through the whole search process, from resume refinement, to interview preparation, to fact finding as I moved through interview rounds. She was also extraordinarily responsive and provided valuable insights into each firm backed up by personal connections among the hiring teams. Her strong knowledge of the market helped me find the right opportunity and start strong.

    Associate, Gibson Dun

  • Carla is exceptional to work with and was incredibly diligent, empathetic, and responsive in aiding me with my narrowly-tailored search. I always felt like I was her number one priority. If you're looking for a recruiter, she is the best!

    Associate, Davis Wright Tremaine

  • Lorraine was phenomenal in helping me lateral into big law. She was quick to communicate various opportunities, big or small, and was my support system as I interviewed. More importantly, I felt valued as an associate candidate with Lorraine, who was always a phone call away whenever I had any questions or needed a sounding board.

    Associate, Steptoe & Johnson

Our Markets

We work in all the major West Coast markets including, but not limited to:

  • Los Angeles

  • San Francisco

  • Orange County

  • Seattle

  • Silicon Valley

  • Sacramento

  • San Diego

  • Portland

Recent Press

  • What Drove BigLaw to Flock to These 3 Regions in 2023

    This year we saw firms of all sizes make strategic expansions within California. Jenny Swan Meyer spoke with Law 360 about some of the motivations for the moves.

  • Top Performers 'Likely' To Raise Associate Pay, But Broad Hesitancy Lingers

    Milbank is the first Big Law firm to announce a salary raise for 2024. Zsaleh Harivandi speaks with Law.com about the likelihood of other firms following suit.