What They Say
At firms like Latham & Watkins and White & Case, the pool of potential laterals is incredibly small. Recruiters need to act on behalf of the firm as ambassadors, understanding the strategic imperatives for growth, and conveying a detailed and finely-tuned proposition to candidates who often have no need to move and are well looked after by their current firms. David and Freddie are in a tiny subset of partner recruiters who are able to perform at this elite level.
Global Director of Lateral Recruitment
Throughout the entire process, Hamish made me feel like I was his only candidate. He was always available and provided regular updates. He walked me through the entire process and was incredibly helpful and insightful. I highly recommend Hamish.
Special Counsel
Fran has been nothing short of magical in helping me find my new role! It's clear how much Fran loves her job and I'd recommend her to anyone in a heartbeat. The whole process was super smooth and I was never in the dark - thanks so much!
Professional Development Co-ordinator
Working with Freddie was a real pleasure. His knowledge of the market is unmatched and his approach was patient, thorough and focussed on getting the best result for the firm. We had a few unexpected bumps along the road and Freddie helped us navigate those bumps masterfully. I would highly recommend him for any partner search and we will certainly use him again.
Head of International Disputes
Hamish brings professionalism and integrity to the recruitment process; something we see too rarely in this industry. He is a strong, hassle free, head hunter that instils confidence in candidates and brings credibility to each of his clients' searches. He takes great ownership in all of his assignments, is tenacious and brings all of the skills gained in his former career as a banking lawyer to every recruitment project he takes on. One of the few top tier recruiters around.
Counsel
Hamish is a shining light in the London recruitment industry. Hamish exudes passion and professionalism and truly listens to the career aspirations of his candidates. Hamish has worked hard to develop distinctively strong relationships with top banking and finance partners at London's best firms. My recruitment process with Hamish was uncharacteristically efficient, transparent and seamless. I recommend him without reservation.
Associate
Good partner recruiters are rare, and there is a process of natural selection that leads inexorably to firms like Montresor. Their consultants exemplify the key attributes of valuable business partners: market knowledge, user-friendliness, tenacity, excellent network, a broad and educated perspective, and commerciality. I have worked with David Carbery and Freddie Lawson for many years and hold them in very high esteem.
Global Director of Lateral Recruitment
Caiti has been a huge help advising me in making my recent move. It was the first time I had changed roles as a partner and she was particularly supportive in talking me through the factors I needed to consider when moving at a senior level. Caiti took on board all of my requirements and was able to implement her knowledge of the market to find opportunities that perfectly matched my brief.
Partner
I first partnered with Francesca, for legal recruitment services, last year and have been incredibly happy working alongside her. Francesca has assisted us in recruiting several excellent individuals and it has been an utter pleasure working with her. Always going over and beyond her call of duty. She is extremely responsive, knowledgeable, with amazing emotional intelligence, and great to work alongside. I have no hesitation in recommending her!
Chief Legal Officer
Caiti Simpson has supported many of our key strategic recruitment campaigns enabling us to continue to attract and recruit the best talent in the market. Caiti’s approach of understanding us as a firm and our strategic requirements, outstanding candidate management, building strong relationships and developing a bespoke offering has been fantastic. Many great success stories with more to come !
Group Head
Francesca helped me to secure a role at an amazing firm within about 2 weeks of first contacting her. She was incredibly friendly and supportive throughout the various recruitment stages. Couldn’t recommend her more!
Paralegal
Hamish, having navigated through the corporate law environment himself, is highly skilled at leveraging a candidate’s “wish list” for his ideal role with his professional profile in order to secure interviews for his candidates with prospective employers. He is the most professional, responsive and market savvy head-hunter I have been assisted by in the London market and his persistence in helping me to secure a role was evident throughout my interactions with him. You will not find a more dedicated and passionate legal head-hunter in the London market. It is for these reasons that I would highly recommend him.
Associate
Francesca helped me with my first role when I left college. She is very professional and kind, made me feel very welcome and ease before going into interviews. Fran provided me with the advice I needed before going into interviews. If your looking for a job, ask for Fran! She gets the job done! :)
Legal PA
Francesca was exactly who I needed during the stressful period of trying to find a job. She was kind, incredibly hard working, reassuring and honest. I’ve worked with many recruiters and she is by far the best I have come across. If you are looking for a job, the best decision you can make is to contact Francesca!
Paralegal
Working with Purdeep has completely transformed our interim recruitment process. She’s incredibly responsive, intuitive, and always presents candidates who are not only qualified but also a perfect cultural fit. Highly recommended.
Head of Legal
Purdeep’s knowledge of the legal sector is second to none. She quickly identifies the right candidates for our needs and makes the whole process effortless. Her dedication and attention to detail are impressive.
HR Director
Purdeep’s approach is refreshingly personal. She understands the pressures and nuances of interim legal work and goes above and beyond to ensure candidates feel valued and informed throughout the process.
General Counsel
Elmira is highly professional, approachable, and deeply knowledgeable about legal talent within the financial services sector. She has helped us secure top-tier legal professionals for a number of years, who have made an immediate impact on our team!
General Counsel
Elmira's network and knowledge of the market are second to none. She connects us with high-quality legal professionals who are hard to find elsewhere, using an approach that is consultative, strategic, and always tailored to our specific requirements.
General Counsel
Francesca is an excellent consultant, who is always willing to assist and to do her very best to ensure a good match. She is sensible and logical and makes sure that her clients are kept up to date, without ever becoming intrusive. She has assisted me with placements into my firm and also with placing contacts of mine elsewhere, both very successfully. She is very well-informed about the legal market, is credible and trustworthy. I recommend her highly.
Head of Human Resources
Holly goes above and beyond for her candidates. She understood the nuances of my derivatives background and ensured I was well-prepared and positioned for my new role.
Derivatives Lawyer
During the recruitment process, Holly left a positive impression and a personable image. As a 6 PQE, I was looking for someone with good market knowledge and strong communication skills. During the process, I valued her advice and ended up managing multiple offers with her help. I can recommend her with confidence.
Lawyer
Elmira is a recruiter who genuinely cares about her candidates. She guided me through the process, offered strategic advice, and ensured I felt confident at every stage of securing my job!
Lawyer
I had the pleasure of working with Francesca, who assisted me in securing a role I applied for. She was a delight to work with, demonstrating professionalism and genuine care throughout the process. Francesca is reliable, approachable, efficient, and friendly, making the entire experience seamless and stress-free. Her dedication to supporting candidates truly sets her apart.
Document Review Lawyer
Francesca’s service was first class! Throughout the process she was accessible, friendly and professional. It was a pleasure working alongside her and getting a great result out of it. I had never used a recruiter before and after working with Francesca I would highly recommend.
Paralegal
Fran provides first-class communication and is a real asset to the company!
Facilities Manager
Francesca has been nothing but a pleasure to work with. Throughout my application process she kept me well informed and answered any queries I had. She is among many things reliable, approachable, efficient and friendly. I would definitely recommend her services.
Paralegal
During the recruitment process Holly left a positive impression and personable image. As a 6PQE I was looking for someone with good market knowledge and strong communication skills.
During the process I valued her advice and ended up managing multiple offers with her help. I can recommend her with confidence.
Holly McMahon
Part Time Finance Manager - Law Firm
We are working with a highly regarded, growing London law firm that is looking to recruit an experienced Finance Manager on a part-time basis.
This is a broad and responsible role with oversight of the firm's finance function and would suit someone with previous experience working within a law firm who is looking for a senior position offering genuine flexibility.
The role is for 25 hours per week. The firm's preference would be for the hours to be worked as five hours per day across five days, although they are very open to considering alternative working arrangements, including the hours being compressed across three or four days.
The position is hybrid, with only one day per week required in the London office.
The Finance Manager will have overall responsibility for the financial operations of the firm, including line management of an Invoicing Manager and oversight of an outsourced legal cashiering provider.
Responsibilities will include:
- Overseeing the firm's billing process, including more complex invoices and narratives
- Managing and overseeing supplier and consultant invoices and Accounts Payable
- Overseeing legal cashiering activity and responding to queries relating to client and office account transactions
- Preparing regular payment runs
- Reviewing Client Account transfers
- Producing monthly and quarterly management information
- Maintaining and updating P&L and cashflow forecasts
- Reviewing WIP, aged debt and recovery rates
- Overseeing credit control
- Supporting budgeting and wider financial planning
- Overseeing client financial onboarding
- Liaising with the firm's accountants
- Supporting month-end and year-end processes
- Assisting with annual accounts and SRA Client Account audits
- Managing and developing the firm's Invoicing Manager
- Working closely with the COO and wider management team on financial matters
We are looking for someone with strong finance experience gained within a law firm environment.
You should be comfortable taking ownership of a broad finance function and working autonomously, while also managing relationships with senior stakeholders, external accountants and outsourced providers.
Experience of areas such as management accounts, budgeting, cashflow forecasting, WIP, billing, credit control and SRA accounting requirements would be particularly valuable.
Previous management or supervisory experience would also be beneficial.
Experience using legal accounting or practice management systems would be advantageous, although specific experience of the firm's system is not essential.
This is a 25-hour-per-week position.
The preferred working pattern is five hours per day across five days, although there is flexibility and alternative arrangements across three or four days will also be considered.
The role requires just one day per week in the London office, with the remainder worked remotely.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced law firm finance professional looking for a responsible and varied role alongside a genuinely flexible working arrangement.
Trade Finance in-house Counsel - Transactional Banking
We are working with leading international bank who is is seeking a Trade Finance Lawyer (3+ PQE) to join its growing London Legal team.
The role will advise the global trade finance and distribution businesses on a broad range of transactions, including syndicated and bilateral facilities, guarantees, supply chain finance, receivables financing and risk distribution.
The successful candidate will have a strong banking and finance background, excellent drafting skills and a practical, commercial approach. Prior trade finance experience is advantageous but not essential.
Product & Regulatory In-house Counsel - Fintech
Our client is a leading fintech who is expanding its London Legal team and as such is seeking a Legal Counsel (3-7 PQE) with experience in financial services regulation and / or payments or broader fintech experience.
The role will advise across the business on payments and regulatory change, product launches and market expansion, while working with regulators and supporting cross-border projects.
The ideal candidate will have some UK payments regulatory knowledge, excellent commercial judgement and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, international environment. In-house or private practice experience is welcomed, with fintech, payments or financial services experience advantageous.
Prior crypto or blockchain experience could also be interesting and beneficial as the skillsets are very transferable.