Most attorneys have been there—a recruiter reaches out on LinkedIn or sends a message that lands somewhere between your spam folder and your “maybe later” mental list. You’re swamped with deals, briefs, or client meetings, and you’re not actively looking. So, should you take the call?
Here’s the short answer: not always. But often, it’s more valuable than you think.
As a legal recruiter, I talk to attorneys every day who initially hesitated to connect. Some didn’t want to waste time, others didn’t want to appear disloyal to their firm, and many just didn’t think they were in the market. But what they quickly found is that a quick, confidential conversation can offer clarity, insight, and options—even if they stay exactly where they are.
Let’s break it down.
What a Good Recruiter Isn’t
Let’s start with what we’re not. A good legal recruiter isn’t trying to convince you to leave a job you love. We’re not spamming resumes to firms or pushing a generic list of openings. And we’re certainly not assuming you’re unhappy just because we reached out.
What we are doing is staying closely plugged into the legal market—watching trends, tracking demand, and hearing directly from firms about what (and who) they’re looking for. And when we reach out, it’s usually because your background genuinely aligns with something interesting.
Why It’s Worth the Conversation
Even if you’re not planning a move, there are real benefits to taking that call:
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Market Intelligence
You stay up to date on what firms are paying, where demand is shifting, and which practice groups are growing or contracting. It’s hard to get that kind of unfiltered information from inside the walls of one firm.
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Benchmarking Your Career
Are you being paid competitively? Are other firms placing higher value on your niche? Recruiters can give you a broader perspective—without you having to fish for it.
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Discreet Exploration
Some of the best opportunities aren’t publicly posted. If something ideal comes up—closer to home, better platform, stronger culture—wouldn’t it be nice to know about it before it’s gone?
The Value of Building the Relationship Early
One of the most underrated reasons to take the call: building a relationship before you need one. Even if you’re not “on the market” today, getting to know a recruiter now means you’ll have someone who understands your goals and your practice when the timing is right.
But just as in any profession—not every recruiter operates the same way. Taking the call is also a chance to assess whether this is someone you’d actually want to work with in the future. Are they listening more than selling? Do they understand your practice? Do they seem genuinely interested in what’s right for you, not just what’s open right now?
A good recruiter isn’t focused on a quick placement. They’re patient, strategic, and relationship-driven. Personally, I’ve had conversations with attorneys that didn’t lead to a move for years—but when the right opportunity finally surfaced, we already had a foundation of trust and an understanding of what mattered most to them.
Even if you hang up the phone and don’t talk again for months or longer, that initial connection can lay the groundwork for the right move when—and only when—the time is right.
What to Expect from a Conversation
A good recruiter will treat your time and your privacy with respect. Most initial calls are short—10–15 minutes. We’ll ask about your goals, your practice, and where you are in your career trajectory. You’re not committing to anything; you’re just giving yourself options.
Think of it like working with a financial advisor. You may not be ready to buy or sell right now, but it’s smart to stay informed—and to have someone in your corner who knows your priorities when the timing is right.
Final Thought
You don’t have to be on the market to be market-aware. Taking a quick call with a legal recruiter doesn’t mean you’re making a move—it just means you’re staying informed, strategic, and open to opportunity.
And when the right door opens—whether next month or three years from now—you’ll be glad you took the call.
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