Matching exceptional attorneys with law firms and companies since 2009

Ryder Smith Legal Search is a boutique California-based legal placement agency that specializes in the permanent placement of exceptional attorneys and attorney groups with client law firms and companies.

Founded in 2009, Ryder Smith Legal Search is known for delivering exceptional legal search expertise. At Ryder Smith we are devoted to finding our clients qualified attorney candidates quickly, our focus is also on making the right placement.

Our diligence, professionalism, and knowledge of the legal market are unmatched, and we are dedicated to making the placement process a seamless one, for clients and candidates alike.

Ryder Smith Legal Search believes in giving back to the community, and a portion of the Company’s profits are donated to philanthropic organizations.

Let Us Guide Your Search

Clients

Ryder Smith Legal Search is committed to delivering exceptional service to its clients.

We work with a range of clients from international, AmLaw 100 and 200, middle market, regional and boutique law firms and Fortune 500 companies.

Our recruiters assist our clients in meeting their hiring demands and expansion goals through a comprehensive array of services. This includes providing staff for newly opened office locations, identifying partner-level candidates and practice teams to bolster a firm's specific practice group, and sourcing general counsel and in-house legal experts for companies. We take the time to understand our clients' practice so that we can provide candidates that meet the requirements for each role that we recruit for.

While our primary area of focus is California, Ryder Smith Legal Search has also provided its services in numerous other major legal markets across the United States, including New York, Washington D.C, Texas, Florida, and Boston.

Candidates

At Ryder Smith Legal Search, we believe in making the right placement.

Our recruiters invest time in understanding the career goals of each attorney we work with. We understand the crucial role of a law firm's culture, the reputation of its practice areas, the billable hours expectations, and expected compensation. With this knowledge we are able to provide a targeted list of opportunities to our candidates, and help navigate them through the application, interview, and job offer stages.

Ryder Smith Legal Search has developed relationships with all prominent law firms in California, as well as numerous smaller legal practices and companies that typically handle their own hiring. We are proud to present our candidates with opportunities they are unlikely to find through other channels.

Two professional women discussing legal career options outside office building, attorney candidates consulting.

Testimonials

“Lee was instrumental in helping me make the jump from a small firm to a large firm. I don’t know if I’d have been able to do it without her. As soon as I started working with Lee I began getting bites from firms and she helped me navigate all steps of the process, from interviewing to acceptance of an offer. If I ever had a question Lee was always there to answer it. Lee made a potentially stressful and tedious process simple and comfortable. Anyone looking for a new job should use Lee, you won’t regret it.”

— Joseph Persoff - Associate at Baker & Hostetler LLP
“I feel incredibly lucky to have had Lee’s support and guidance during what was an exhausting process. I could tell how invested she was in my success by how responsive she was and how receptive she was to my need to find the right fit. I can’t recommend her highly enough. To whoever reads this, I want to assure you that you will be in good hands if you work with Lee.”

— Jinny Hwang - Associate at Jackson Lewis
“Lee was incredibly helpful in my job search, ultimately connecting me to a position I would not have found without her guidance. She had a wide range of ideas but respected my desire to hold out for my specific area of interest. Finally, Lee always impressed me with her insights into the interview and offer process.”

— Associate at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
“Working with Lee was one of the best choices of my legal career. In addition to her deep connections to the legal market in the SF Bay Area, she was an excellent interview coach, gave stellar advice, and was always prompt and available in her communications. I had several interviews within the first few weeks of signing up with Ryder Smith, and quickly found a position with an amazing firm. I cannot recommend Lee and Ryder Smith highly enough.”

— Zach Crowley - Associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
“Lee is by far the best recruiter I’ve worked with. She is honest, attentive, and incredibly responsive. She was such an incredible advocate for me in my search that I would recommend her to anyone looking to make a lateral move.”

— Associate, New York University School of Law, J.D. 2003, San Francisco Office of National Firm
“Samantha Johnston and Lee Kuhn are by far the best recruiters I have ever worked with. Samantha is a tenacious, dedicated advocate who not only took the time to get to know me both personally and professionally, but also gave me honest advice about the factors I should consider in making a productive lateral move. She cared not about finding me a position, but about finding me the right position. She was attentive, always available, and enthusiastic throughout the entire process. I also had the pleasure of working with Lee when Samantha was out of town. I was impressed with the extent to which Lee took the time to become familiar with my candidacy even before we spoke on the phone for the first time. Samantha and Lee are personable, smart, and thorough — definitely two recruiters you want on your side. I would recommend them without reservation, they are head and shoulders above the rest.”

— Associate, Los Angeles Office of National Firm
“I was a recent law school graduate without a law firm associate job lined up when I contacted Lee, and she helped me find a first-year associate position at a large AmLaw firm (and with one of the top-ranked IP practices in the state). She guided me throughout the entire process, and really made me feel like I was in good hands. She’s the best!”

— Associate, Silicon Valley Office of National Firm
“Lee — thank you so much for your guidance during my job search. You provided me with all the information I needed to make the right career choice, and I really appreciate all your hard work. I have worked with numerous recruiters throughout the course of my legal career, and you are at the top of my list.”

— Of Counsel, Duke University School of Law, J.D. 1998, Los Angeles Office, California Firm
“I would highly recommend Lee Kuhn to anyone considering a lateral move. Her unwavering confidence, professionalism, and up-beat attitude helped carry me through a very difficult time. I knew from the start that I could trust her and that she would do everything she could to help me land in a better place—and she did. Lee responded promptly to all questions and concerns and she gave me constant updates on new opportunities. Her personal experience working in several reputable national firms offered valuable insight into potential employers. Many thanks to Lee.”

— Labor & Employment Associate, San Francisco Law Firm