Senior Legal Recruiter Role - Grow Executive Search Career in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
Contract vs. Permanent: This is a 1099 project-based engagement, not a salaried role. While the flexibility is appealing, there is no guaranteed hours commitment, benefits, or job security. This suits experienced recruiters building a portfolio practice, not those seeking stability.
Compensation Benchmark: At $50/hr base plus placement fee percentages, total earnings depend heavily on deal volume. Senior legal recruiters at retained search firms typically earn $120K–$250K+ annually including bonuses. The $50/hr base alone (~$100K annualized) sits at the lower end of market for 7+ years of experience — the placement fee upside is essential to make this competitive.
Skills Development: This role sharpens high-demand capabilities:
- Executive search methodology for the legal vertical (GC, partner-level)
- Stakeholder advisory skills with C-suite and board-level contacts
- Market intelligence, compensation benchmarking, and succession planning
Culture Signals: livingHR positions itself as a human-centric, future-of-work company. The "WFWIMS" branding and remote-first model suggest a progressive, trust-based culture. However, the project-based nature means limited team integration and community.
Green Flags: Autonomy, niche specialization in legal executive search, and potential for repeat engagements. Red Flags: No guaranteed hours, no benefits, and income is heavily variable — best suited for consultants who already have established pipelines.
Position Details
- Location: Remote (FL, CO, IL, MA, NH, RI, ME, CT, GA, SC, NC, TX)
- Type: Contract / 1099
- Work Model: Remote-first (Work From Where It Makes Sense – WFWIMS)
- Compensation: $50/hr, plus % of placement fee to fill
Who We Are
livingHR is the remote-first, professional services "work agency" created to make work better. We partner with organizations to deliver human-centric, future-of-work-ready HR-managed services, professional services, and products. We believe in taking exceptional care of our people so they can deliver exceptional outcomes for clients, partners, and communities.
Position Overview
Lead legal talent search, selection, and delivery efforts to help clients secure high-caliber legal leadership.
Responsibilities
Search Strategy & Selection
- Lead full-cycle searches for lateral law firm partners and practice groups
- Lead full-cycle searches for General Counsel and Deputy GC roles
- Conduct market mapping, competitive intelligence, and talent landscape analysis
- Develop search strategies aligned to client business objectives
Client Advisory & Account Management
- Serve as a trusted advisor to law firm leaders, corporate executives, and boards
- Partner with clients on succession planning and strategic legal talent needs
- Provide executive-level communication and search updates
- Deliver consultative guidance on compensation, law firm economics, and partner portability
Candidate Experience & Relationship Building
- Build and maintain deep relationships with high-performing legal leaders
- Deliver an exceptional, white-glove candidate experience
- Serve as a trusted advisor to candidates navigating confidential transitions
- Maintain accurate CRM documentation, search tracking, and reporting
Role Requirements
- Experience working directly with clients in legal, executive search, or agency settings
- Strong internal or functional expertise across legal recruiting and law firm structures
- Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, client-facing environment
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and advisory skills
- Comfort working in flexible, project-based engagements
- 7+ years of legal or executive search experience preferred
- Willingness to travel occasionally as client needs require
What You Can Expect
livingHR engages contract consultants on a project-by-project basis. Engagement timing, scope, and duration vary based on client needs. Consultants may be considered for multiple opportunities over time as part of our long-term talent community.
Frequently Asked Questions
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