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.

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

Recruiters

  • Lee Kuhn, founder of Ryder Smith Legal.

    Lee Kuhn

    Founder

  • Amanda Wharton, legal recruiter with Ryder Smith Legal.

    Amanda Wharton

    Recruiter

  • Katie Wharton, legal recruiter at CC Wharton Search.

    Katie Wharton

    Recruiter

    CC Wharton Search

  • Shawn Nichols, legal recruiter at SLN Search.

    Shawn Nichols

    Recruiter

    SLN Search

  • Alana Cohen, legal recruiter at AC Advanced Legal Search.

    Alana Cohen

    Recruiter

    AC Advanced Legal Search

Contact us

If you are looking to make a move or talk about the market, don’t hesitate to reach out via email, give us a call, or fill out the form below.