Recruiter Series: Andrea Hartwell

Previous to recruiting you worked as an associate with both Seyfarth Shaw and Weintraub Tobin. How has your experience as an associate helped you in guiding your candidates?

I was lucky to experience a variety of work environments as an attorney: first for a nonprofit organization, and then later with a regional size firm in Sacramento and an international firm in San Francisco. I also switched practice areas from corporate transactional work to complex commercial litigation, which was not easy and a topic for another time! It was this variety of experience - different work environments, cities, practice areas, people, billable hour and non-billable hour expectations, and law firm cultures that has provided me with a relatable base about the day-to-day life of an associate. I was in the trenches and those experiences have been invaluable and something I rely on when I work with my candidates.

What advantages do candidates gain when working with a legal recruiter?

There are several advantages to working with a seasoned recruiter. The most important is the recruiter’s extensive knowledge of the legal market and understanding law firm clients’ specific practice groups, their “personalities,” culture, expectations, partnership prospects, and clients. It’s this year-after-year information that is tremendously valuable in assessing whether or not a candidate will be a good match with a law firm. Often that information is hard to gather by reviewing what is available online. 

I also spend a great deal of time researching trends in legal markets, which helps candidates benefit greatly by discussing their goals and options in light of the constantly changing attorney job landscape. 

A seasoned recruiter will also make sure their candidates present themselves in the best possible manner. I will often revise resumes and help my candidates interview effectively by leading mock interviews. I also manage the entire job search for a candidate.

Lastly, I have extensive knowledge about how to best negotiate a compensation package with a particular employer.

What do you enjoy most about being a recruiter, and about working for Swan Legal Search?

I still fondly remember my first meeting with Delia Swan back in 2014! There are so many things I enjoy about working with Swan Legal Search. At the very top of my list is that I still get excited every time I work with a new candidate or a new law client, and I feel that is because we have a certain work culture that’s genuinely supportive. We all celebrate one another’s successes, and we work together to find solutions to different situations. I trust and admire my colleagues, and our collective depth of knowledge about the California legal job market and the collaborative nature of our team is second-to-none.

Outside of SLS, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

A couple years after I joined SLS, I became a mom and now I have three young kids and a dog. My kids are finally old enough to get into more active sports, which I’m so excited about! We just built a climbing wall in our garage, and we love going out for bike rides, walks, and traveling to new places. I also have a new love for gardening and I’ve always loved to bake. I do my best to try a new recipe every week. Rest assured with three kids, it’s always eaten in a couple days.

Read Andrea’s full bio and get in touch with her here.