About Us

Our History

As a young mother, Delia Swan experienced the tricky balancing act of being a lawyer and a mother. She wanted to find a way to continue to work in the legal industry that she loved and admired, while allowing herself the time to be available and present for her children. After practicing law for six years as an attorney, Delia launched Swan Legal Search, with the mission to advance the careers of fellow lawyers and expand law firms throughout California.

Within a year of our launch in 1997, we became a well-respected and leading legal search firm in California. Since then, we have placed thousands of attorneys. Many of the junior associates that Delia placed early on have become Managing Partners, Hiring Partners, and Executive Committee members.

Delia has fostered a trusting community of attorneys and recruiters. Our team of recruiters share Delia's commitment to helping make attorneys' professional lives as good as they can be. In 2020, Delia's daughter, Jenny Swan Clearman, joined the team, creating a true family partnership. Jenny has seamlessly integrated Delia's decades of market expertise and recruiting excellence with modern approaches to support today's evolving legal talent landscape. Together, they've developed and implemented a long-term vision that honors our foundational values while adapting to meet the changing needs of contemporary legal professionals.

Our Expertise

We guide attorneys through career-defining transitions across California and the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1997, we bring three decades of market intelligence and deep relationships to every search. Our team of former practicing attorneys and legal professionals understands both the nuances of complex lateral moves and the intricacies of the California and Seattle legal markets.

As a woman-owned firm deeply embedded in the West Coast legal community, we've built our reputation on understanding what truly matters in a lateral move. Our expertise is evidenced by thousands of successful placements and trusted relationships with decision-makers at AmLaw 100/200 and elite boutique firms. Our focus on law firm placements brings unmatched market insight and a sophisticated understanding of firm cultures, compensation structures, and partnership tracks.

Your Journey

What truly sets us apart is our approach to your career journey. We're not just recruiters, we're your strategic career guides. Our candidates consistently choose us because we take time to understand their unique story - then leverage our extensive network and market intelligence to uncover opportunities they might never have considered. We've been in your shoes: we understand the nuances from the inside.

Your confidentiality is paramount - as members of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC), we maintain the highest ethical standards and adhere to the NALSC Code of Ethics. Many of our placed attorneys return for subsequent moves throughout their careers, from junior associate to partner, because they trust our guidance at every career stage.

Ready to get started?