I’ve worked with Michelle twice to recruit an important in-house counsel position. Both times, I’ve had terrific candidates to choose from. She does a very good job of matching the candidates’ resume and skills to those needed in the job. And, she’s a pleasure to work with. I’d certainly turn to her again if the need arose.
Mindy Hatton, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, American Hospital Association
Over the course of the last nine years, I have worked with Michelle as both client and candidate. Her commitment to finding the right fit is remarkable and refreshing. I look forward to the success of Atticus Recruiting with a measure of self-interest as I expect that we will be reaching out to Michelle again in the future.
Donald E. Walther, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, The Heico Companies LLC
During the almost 20-year period I have directed my firm’s hiring efforts, I have worked with dozens of legal recruiters. Michelle Kaplan McAndrew, without question, is among the very best in her field. She is responsive, extremely knowledgeable about the marketplace and wholly committed to the best interests of her clients. Just as importantly, she is unfailingly ethical and professional. Given these qualities, she is a key part of our firm’s hiring efforts and I would recommend her to candidates or employers without hesitation.
Michael P. Conway, Partner, Jones Day (former Hiring Principal, Grippo & Elden LLC)
As a former hiring partner, Michelle Kaplan McAndrew assisted me with several searches, and in all instances identified candidates of the highest caliber. What truly differentiates Michelle though is her unmatched understanding and personal investment in making sure the fit is right for both the candidate and the firm. Michelle is keenly attuned to the unique culture and interpersonal aspects of each of her firm clients, and the same can be said for the personal characteristics and professional aspirations of her candidates. While other recruiters would focus only on the academic and professional qualifications of their candidates, it always was clear that Michelle had taken the next step and carefully selected from a group of stellar candidates only those who, based upon her extensive interaction with them, she truly believed would both thrive in the culture of our firm and also achieve personal and professional satisfaction. In short, Michelle cares, on a personal level, about her clients and her candidates, and that leads to a delightful recruiting experience and outstanding placements.
Adam B. Deutsch, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, ConvaTec Group Plc. (former Hiring Partner Eimer Stahl LLP)
As a former client and now customer of Michelle, I have had the benefit of seeing her at work from both sides. In my view, there is no better legal recruiter in the Chicago area. She knows the market intimately, has impeccable judgment and is, above all, ethical. She will never try to fit a square peg into a round hole. If Michelle says that an apparently borderline candidate is worth an interview, I will usually give that candidate the benefit of the doubt. I have seldom been disappointed!
Adam Oyebanji, Managing Counsel, BNY Mellon (former Partner, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg, LLP)
When I was hiring partner at my prior firm, I worked with Michelle on a regular basis. At the time we were seeking to hire several mid-level associates. At the start of our search, Michelle focused on understanding the firm’s values and priorities. Later, Michelle’s connections in the legal community enabled her to bring us the best and most suitable candidates we interviewed. In fact, the majority of the associates we hired at that time came though Michelle. I was impressed enough with Michelle that when I decided to change firms, I called her for advice. I trust her judgment.
Julie P. Shelton, Partner, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
Krasnow Saunders has worked with Michelle Kaplan very successfully for many years. Her enthusiasm for what she does always makes it a pleasure to work with her. Like many legal recruiters, Michelle has substantial experience as a practicing attorney and understands the business side of running a law firm very well. Unlike many legal recruiters, however, Michelle stands out from the crowd because of her demonstrated commitment to understand the personality and culture of our firm. As a result, Michelle has never blindly thrown candidates at us. Rather, she carefully selects and vets her candidates to be sure that they meet our hiring standards and, as important, to ensure that there is real potential that the individual will be a good fit for us. Her candidate selections have been excellent without fail and the result has been several very successful placements with us. We will undoubtedly be using Michelle again as the need arises.
Frederick M. Kaplan, Partner, Krasnow, Saunders, Cornblath, Kaplan & Beninati LLP
Michelle’s competitive advantage is that she knows her candidates beyond their credentials. Presenting only those talented individuals that are highly motivated, Michelle has a knack for delivering marquees players regardless of the economy. In fact, it was with Michelle’s guidance in 2004 that I relocated from Columbus to Chicago. Now, as a member in a prestigious firm, I turn to Michelle to assist us with identifying and attracting the very best in talent.
Jospeh Cohen, Member, Shaw Fishman Glantz and Towbin LLC
Michelle McAndrew is one of those rare individuals who combines a knowledge of employer needs with a skilled counseling approach when working with potential job applicants. She sees both perspectives, analyses where there is common ground between an employer’s culture and an applicant’s strengths, then delivers a candid assessment to both parties about ‘fit.’ Her exemplary sensitivity to both sides of the employment equation and her broad base of experience in the legal marketplace make her an invaluable resource for those seeking to hire legal talent…and for that legal talent seeking to be hired.
Abbie F. Willard, Associate Dean of Career Services and Policy Initiatives, The University of Chicago Law School