Business Details
38 Years
experience
Global Legal Recruitment Experts
Established in 1988, Laurence Simons has become a leader in executive legal search, placing over 3,200 senior legal and compliance professionals across 62 countries. Our team of former lawyers and industry experts brings firsthand knowledge of the legal sector's unique requirements, ensuring precise matches for Fortune 100 and FTSE 100 clients. With seven global offices in London, Amsterdam, Miami, Paris, and So Paulo, we combine local market expertise with a worldwide network to build exceptional legal teams. Our proprietary process, enhanced by Lumina Learning psychometric testing, delivers top-tier candidates within five weeks, prioritising quality without compromising speed.Over three decades, we have maintained a commitment to transparency, partnership, and client-centric service, evidenced by 50+ General Counsel placements and 400+ roles in Life Sciences. Our AESC membership underscores adherence to the highest industry standards, while our Talent Acquisition team supports candidates' long-term career growth, with 50% of placements leading to internal promotions. By focusing on cultural alignment and professional development, we enrich careers and strengthen employer value propositions globally.
Services
Legal Recruitment
Compliance Recruitment
Executive Search
Talent Acquisition
Psychometric Testing
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- 35+ years of experience in legal executive search
- Global reach across 62 countries with seven offices
- Proprietary Lumina Spark psychometric testing for precise matches
- 90% client retention rate through transparent partnerships
- 50% of candidates achieve internal promotions post-placement
Associations and certifications
- Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC)
What people say
Well-connected within the market
Superior international candidates
Excellent market knowledge
Proactive recruitment process
Transparent and trustworthy
Services
Legal Recruitment
Specialised recruitment for senior legal professionals across corporate, compliance, and private practice sectors. Our legal background enables precise role requirement analysis and candidate vetting. With 35+ years of industry experience, we deliver executives who align with organisational culture and strategic goals.
Compliance Recruitment
Targeted placement of compliance officers and risk management professionals. Our consultants understand evolving regulatory landscapes, ensuring candidates meet both technical requirements and ethical standards. 400+ placements in Life Sciences demonstrate sector-specific expertise.
Executive Search
Global executive search for C-suite legal and compliance roles. Using Lumina Spark psychometric testing, we assess leadership potential and cultural fit. 50+ General Counsel placements highlight our ability to identify strategic decision-makers for multinational corporations.
Talent Acquisition
End-to-end talent solutions combining legal expertise with innovative assessment tools. Our three-pronged approach involves dedicated search consultants, talent specialists, and business support teams to ensure seamless candidate-company alignment and long-term retention.
Psychometric Testing
Integration of Lumina Learning assessments to evaluate candidate strengths and workplace behaviours. This scientific approach enhances matching accuracy by 40%, ensuring candidates not only meet technical criteria but also thrive within client organisations' cultures.
People
Clare Beresford
Chief Executive Officer
With 20+ years in legal recruitment, Clare leads global operations while maintaining hands-on client relationships. Her strategic vision has expanded the firm's reach to 62 countries while preserving its client-centric ethos.
Benedito Villela
Senior Consultant
Specialising in Latin American markets, Benedito leverages 15+ years of regional legal expertise to connect multinational clients with top-tier compliance professionals across Brazil and neighbouring jurisdictions.
Paul Beresford
Head of Growth Marketing
Driving digital innovation in recruitment strategies, Paul combines legal sector knowledge with marketing expertise to enhance candidate engagement and client outreach across North America.
Carolina da Rocha Morandi
Senior Consultant
Based in So Paulo, Carolina specialises in private practice placements across South America. Her dual expertise in legal operations and recruitment has secured 100+ placements for international law firms expanding in the region.
Alison Baron
Senior Director
Leading EMEA operations from London, Alison oversees executive search for FTSE 100 clients. Her 25-year track record includes 30+ General Counsel placements, reflecting deep understanding of corporate governance requirements.
Questions
What legal sectors do you specialise in?
We focus on corporate law, compliance, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, technology, and private equity sectors, with dedicated consultants for each specialism.
How do you ensure candidate quality?
Our three-stage process combines legal background checks, Lumina Spark psychometric testing, and cultural fit assessments with client teams.
Can you assist with urgent placements?
Our accelerated process delivers shortlisted candidates within five weeks while maintaining rigorous evaluation standards.
Do you operate outside major cities?
Yes, our seven offices in London, Amsterdam, Miami, Paris, and São Paulo support placements in 62 countries, including emerging markets.
What post-placement support do you offer?
We provide 12-month integration support, including performance check-ins and career development guidance for placed candidates.
How are fees structured?
Fees are transparently calculated as a percentage of the candidate's first-year compensation, with no hidden costs.
