No, You Don’t Have to Pay Your Recruiter
Shiny new first-years are often surprised by the deluge of recruiter emails that begin to hit their inbox a few months into practice. When I was a junior associate, I didn’t even know legal recruiters existed. So it’s no wonder that junior associates sometimes ask us what we charge.
Drum roll, please: we charge candidates a hefty fee of $0.
So if our services are free, what exactly are we doing for associates?
What Does a Recruiter Do For You?
Plenty. A good recruiter is a career strategist, sounding board, and behind-the-scenes operator. Here’s what we do:
Market Research: We curate a list of relevant opportunities based on your goals, experience, and market conditions. We also provide intel on firm culture, compensation trends, and practice group dynamics.
Resume Review: We review your resume line by line to make sure it’s tight, tailored, and presentation-ready.
Cover Letter Drafting: We handle these for you!
Interview Scheduling: No back-and-forth email chains—we coordinate directly with firms and work around your schedule.
Interview Prep: We help you prepare, practice, and anticipate firm-specific questions.
Offer Negotiation: We act as your advocate, making sure you get the best possible offer.
Career Counseling: Not sure what you want long-term? Thinking about switching markets or practice areas? We’re here to help you think it through.
So… How Do Recruiters Get Paid?
Recruiters are paid by law firms, not candidates. When a firm hires an attorney through a recruiter, the firm pays a commission based on a percentage of the attorney’s base salary. The exact percentage and fee structure vary by firm and level (associate, counsel, partner), but the key point is: you don’t pay a dime.
The Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about making a move, a good recruiter can be your biggest asset and it won’t cost you anything. Whether you're actively looking or just curious about what’s out there, it never hurts to have a conversation. We're here when you're ready.
