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Testimonials from Candidates

Example 1

We were approached by a junior housing litigation solicitor who had been recommended to us by a colleague we had just placed. She had already been in touch with six recruitment agents in the preceding few months received little interest.

She was secure in her position but felt that there was perhaps little opportunity for advancement within her firm. As her area of law was relatively specialized (housing litigation), we felt there was scope for targeting firms that handled her particular type of work. We came up with an initial shortlist of firms at the same time as working on the CV and drafting an application that explained why we thought the candidate represented a good option in the market.

The candidate secured a position in a market leading City practice. In this case, the process took around five weeks from the candidate’s initial contact to the job offer.

“Bridge Legal is like no other recruitment agency I have dealt with. I really felt like they were interested in my future and focused on getting me the right placement, with tailored approaches to specific firms they had identified as appropriate. Kattie supported and encouraged me throughout, from first contact through interview stage to negotiating an offer and helped me get the job I always wanted. I know I will never use another agent.”

Housing Litigation Solicitor, 1yr PQE, City

Example 2

A relatively junior US lawyer that had just relocated to London from New York was referred to us a by the senior partner of one of our client firms. He had received his CV but couldn’t offer him anything so suggested we might be the people to contact. He had been in touch with agents but his lack of UK experience was proving a major stumbling block as far as most were concerned.

We quickly indentified that here was a very commercial, entrepreneurial lawyer that would impress clients and develop good relationships given the opportunity. We were able to put him in touch with another regular client firm – a small niche commercial property practice based in the City – who realised his potential and offered him a position.

Though he didn’t join them straight away, he did so some months later and was able to forge an impressive following quite quickly as we knew he would. He has stayed in touch with us and has continued to use Bridge Legal in his capacity as an employer, most recently after having established his own practice.

“I have worked with Bridge Legal for 6 years, first as a candidate and more recently as an employer. They first helped me when I moved to the UK from the US and really put the time in to develop a personal marketing strategy when other consultants wouldn’t take the time to speak to me.”

Commercial Property Partner, London

Example 3

We had experience of recruiting leasehold enfranchisement lawyers for a client firm that handled in it and were, at the time, one of very few who had a dedicated department. We knew from our experience with them that people with solid experience were few and far between, even as leasehold enfranchisement has become a real growth area in recent years.

When we received this candidate’s CV, there were no active vacancies yet we were able to generate five interviews by making a strong business case for her. In addition, we felt that the fact she was looking for a part-time position – not always easy to be find - could be worked as a real positive in that it meant less commitment on behalf of the employer, especially those that might be considering leasehold enfranchisement as a potential new income stream in a poor property market.

It helped that she was, like most of our candidates, very commercial and had good contacts in her field. We secured five interviews, all of which were with firms that had no active vacancy. She was offered a position at four of the five and chose a major City practice. She obtained a salary equivalent to that of her full-time salary in her previous firm.

“Bridge Legal made a refreshing change to the other agents I contacted. I was looking for something very specific that was not really on the market. Bridge Legal took up the challenge, took an interest in what I had to offer and really did their research to great effect. I was incredibly pleased with the work they did and relieved to find an agent who took pride in finding a suitable placement for me rather than thinking that it might be too much like hard work!”

Leasehold Enfranchisement Solicitor, 5yrs PQE, City

Example 4

The candidate was recommended to us by a former colleague who was actually a Practice Manager we placed with one of regular clients. This property litigation lawyer was due to return to work following maternity leave but decided to take the opportunity to look for a new position.

As with many of the other examples on this page, we started by asking her to expound on her experience in areas such as marketing and business development, possible contacts and her billing. This is helpful not only in giving us the specific information but also in helping candidates think of themselves in a commercial way i.e. what they can offer to a firm.

In this particular case, whilst there was no following and only some contacts, the candidate provided a list of organizations she had acted against and we incorporated this into speculative applications to our target list.

The candidate obtained a position in the Property Litigation Department of a major West End practice and recently told us she was delighted with her move eight months on into “a really lovely firm to work for”.

“Recommended to me by a friend who was successfully placed, I can honestly say that Bridge Legal adopted a personal and considered approach with the emphasis not just on finding a placement but on finding a placement that really suited me.  This approach coupled with tailored and specific applications and an extremely pro-active manner brings fantastic results!”

Property Litigation Solicitor, 4yrs PQE, London

Example 5

A residential property candidate who came back to us following a sabbatical from the firm we had placed her with several years earlier.

Unfortunately, during her time out the market had turned and residential property roles were few and far between. We knew, however, how highly thought of she was by the firm she had left and that they would have happily had her back. However, she felt like it was time for a change so we set about exploring opportunities.

With an extremely businesslike approach, she was confident she’d be able to get former clients, many of whom were still in touch, back up to speed quickly. Working closely with her we were able to identify firms that might be interested in residential lawyers, even in a terrible market and she was even able to refer a couple of instructions to a potential employer.

We managed to secure a senior role within an established city practice and recently heard that business was coming in thick and fast and she is likely to be in touch regarding recruitment of additional staff for her department.

“Bridge Legal have successfully placed me with two firms. Their approach has been consistently diligent, professional yet personal. I am certain that their success has come from understanding my criteria and those of the employer.  I can honestly say that I have been nothing but impressed with the bespoke service I have received and would not hesitate to recommend Bridge Legal.”

Residential Property Solicitor, 7yrs PQE, West End and City.