Is there a charge for Wilcox and Hackett's  services by a candidate?

No.  Should you be selected by a firm, they compensate us for putting both parties together.  The only thing we ask is that should you believe that we did a good job in assisting you that you refer others to us.

How will confidentiality be kept during my search?

We develop a summary document that we send to a prospective firm that details all of your work experience, academics and intangibles that are important and a firm comes back with "yes"  or "no" on wanting to review your resume.  When they say yes, we contact you prior to submitting you to anyone.  In other words, your resume will only be in front of firms that you have approved.  Additionally, we work with firms very closely with confidentiality as an understanding.  We have held back candidates for their own good because some firms could not guarantee discretion.  Our reputation to you is everything!

Is now the right time to make a move?

99.9% of making a career move comes down to timing.  I have seen attorneys that have rushed into a bad situation because they felt they had to make a move, only to have several good opportunities arise days or weeks later.  During our discussions, hopefully, you will be able to determine this. I have relationships with some attorneys for years before they make a move.  One guarantee is that I will not push you toward an opportunity that does not match your goals.  I would rather have a long-term relationship based on looking out for someone's best interest than short-term placement to an opportunity that I know will make someone miserable in 6 months.

I dont have a substantial book of business, can I still make a move?

First, substantial depends on the firm and many times geography.  Some firms arent needing big rainmakers.  They have alot of work already.  It is extremely rare, however, that a firm isn't looking for some sustainable business from a partner hire.  I am happy to have a conversation about your options in the market.  In some cases, opportunities match up with needs regardless of a large book.  Some cases, I advise for someone to stay put a while and develop their practice if possible where they are.  Some times, our conversation is just what people need to hang their own shingle. Typically, firms do not engage search firms to bring on partners without business.  

I am working with a other search firms, how should I best manage the process?

I work with attorneys all of the time that have relationships with other search firms. I enjoy good relationships with other search firms and can say as with law firms, there are good ones and bad ones. Be VERY careful about who is seeing your resume! When I firstwork with someone and learn about other search firm involvement, I ask for openness.  What other firms has your resume been sent to? If you do not have them written down and have given specific approval to release them you are taking a huge risk.  I also do not advise to work with more than 2-3 at the very most. A few bad things happen. 1) You get submitted to the same firm more than once.  A firm will toss your resume. They dont want to deal with multiple search firm claims issues. 2) Some bad search firms will take a good resume and "spray and pray".  Send to every firm and hope to get a nibble.  Confidentiality cant be controlled, and firms know when they get a shopped resume.  It smells of desperation. 3) Your search becomes a series of random events tied together by hope and luck. This is a career move.  At the very most, there should only be a select few firms that match your criteria.  Establish those up front and qualify the others out.

At what point do I need to make a move or have difficulty in making a move if I don't?

Most firms are looking for somewhere between 2-6 years of experience at the associate level.  We do not work with recent grads and some opportunities are available at the 1 year mark.  After 6 years marketability begins to have a transition into an attorneys ability to develop clientele.  How much of a book do they have?

Why shouldn't I just do the search on my own?

You can.  What we offer is experience in placing attorneys.  We can help provide discretion, suggestions, and contacts.  When a firm receives a resume from us they know that the attorney has been pre-screened as to their qualifications for their specific needs.  Additionally, most attorneys do not have the time to be able to dedicate to a strategic search.  We handle that for you.

When do firms stop looking at GPA or law schools attended?

Some firms look at GPA's 10-15 years out.  They have a certain level that they set as minimums and certain law schools that they have historically found the type of attorney they are looking for.  Most firms will hold GPA and law school with less weight around the 4-6 year range if a candidate has a strong work history, quality work product, and matches their needs.

I have been out of law school a few years and have been with a couple of firms that just haven't been the right fit.  How can I overcome this?

Frankly, it depends on the market in many ways.  If a skill set is in high demand or very niche then a firm make take more of a chance. They are looking for stability though.  Making a few moves in a few years can make a stellar academic and work product look very average.

A couple of suggestions. 1) Don't just make a move for more money.  Everyone wants to make more money but waiting for the right position even if it's a year or two from now will save a great deal of frustration later. 2) Tenure at a firm will sometimes overcome what your GPA may lack.  If you are with the same firm for 3-5 years you will develop and not keep starting over.  You will be handed more responsibility usually and that translates to marketability.  

I want to move to Florida, Georgia... somewhere where it's warm and I have family there...what do I need to know?

First, take the Bar Exam for whatever respective state that you want to move to. The Southeastern migration has led firms to get resumes from all over the country.  One quick way they screen you in or out is to see how serious you are.  Taking and passing the bar is a buy-in to the fact that a move is more than just a fun idea.

Second, as the song goes, "Everybody's got a cousin in Miami" or a parent in Naples or a grandparent in Boca.  This is not good enough for most firms.  Chances are that they will incur some expense in moving you and/or your family along with the changes a new scenery will cause you to be less effective when you first start.  

The only exceptions that I have seen to these observations are 1) Someone has been with a top national firm in NY, DC, Chicago or alike and has hit the type of major league pitching that a firm in Florida would like to match.  There is a work ethic that comes from those candidates that may separate them.  2) There is a truly compelling reason that they must move.