What Are The Economics Of The Typical Legal Search Transaction?
Finding the “right” candidate is very important to top law firms. Consequently, they are willing to pay top dollar, both to the candidate and for the candidate. As indicated above, headhunter fees for a successful placement of an attorney range from about 20-30 percent of first-year salary or compensation. This translates into very high fees, often in the tens of thousands of dollars, in return for which law firms insist on being presented only candidates who meet their exacting criteria. In the event the candidate who is placed does not “work out” (during the first six to 12 months or whatever other time period is agreed upon by the parties), the headhunter is usually obligated to replace the candidate with a new one satisfactory to the law firm, at no additional charge.
