We know Lawyers.
Bill Davis is one of New York’s premier attorney search consultants.
Bill founded The Davis Group and has worked in the largest and most competitive legal market in the United States for 30 years.
Bill embarked on his attorney search career after spending eight years as the Director of Recruiting in the New York City headquarters of a global law firm. His extensive recruitment experience, both as an internal and external recruiter, gives him a distinctive perspective that benefits both candidates and employers. Known for his wise counsel, extensive network, and unwavering integrity, Bill provides candidates with valuable insights into the legal market and the diverse cultures and environments of law firms - ranging from large to small.
One of his most high-profile accomplishments was the placement of an entire litigation group of 67 attorneys from one global law firm to another. In addition to his primary practice involving the placement of partners, partner groups and associates, Bill also places attorneys in companies, funds, and financial institutions.
Bill is a member of NALSC (National Association of Legal Search Consultants) and has been an officer for NYCRA (New York City Recruiting Association) and member and conference presenter for both NALP (National Association of Law Placement) and SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management). He received his B.A. from the College of William and Mary and his M.A. in Counseling from the American University.
Our Approach
Local & Regional Excellence. National Reach.
The Davis Group is a full-service, national legal search boutique. Our client base includes premier national and international, midsize and boutique law firms, smaller legal practices as well as in-house legal departments (companies, banks, and funds).
Confidentiality
Confidentiality still means something to us and it extends to our employers, our candidates, and our referral sources at all times. We understand the need for discretion during the recruiting process, and we work closely with all parties to maintain confidentiality. We maintain a very strict and direct code of conduct with the attorneys and employers with whom we work. We do not share information with prospective employers about an attorney unless the attorney has given their express permission to do so.
Bespoke Search
Nothing at The Davis Group is “industry standard,” and that includes our performance. Our candidates value our personalized and evaluative approach – from start to finish – including a full commitment to seeing the process through. Candidates tell us they appreciate being heard and never pressured throughout their search. We collaborate until we get it right without unnecessary timing expectations. The search is candidate-driven and belongs to you. We use our insights into a lawyer’s development, needs and aspirations to enable us to match the right attorney with the right opportunity.
Trusted Network & Industry Respect
Relationships matter. We have built relationships with our clients and candidates over the last 30 years and word of mouth and repeat business plays an important role in our success and growth. We are constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry, but never lose sight of what our clients and candidates have long valued us for: local, personalized services, trusted relationships, and in-depth knowledge of the job market. Our success is tied to helping our clients and candidates prosper - with a mission to make the best possible match between attorneys and employers. All the while we continue to build lasting relationships and are fully invested in the success of both the attorney and the employer.
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Case Results
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Our Services
Partner & Group Recruiting
We have significant experience in partner and practice group recruitment. We act on behalf of partners who move to another law firm and firms who identify specific practice group growth initiatives.
Associate & Counsel Recruiting
We place experienced counsel and associates of all levels and practice areas in law firms ranging from AmLaw 100/200 to small and mid-sized and boutiques.
In-House Counsel Recruiting
We maintain a limited in-house attorney placement practice; regularly assisting companies, funds, and financial institutions in the strategic growth of their legal departments.
Testimonials
Bill Davis stands as a seasoned leader in the attorney search profession. Over the course of 20+ years, he has successfully placed partners, partner groups, counsels, and associates within law firms, funds, financial institutions, and companies. His unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of both employers and candidates has earned him respect within the legal recruitment field. Here is what employers and candidates have to say about Bill and The Davis Group:
What Employers Are Saying
Bill Davis has been a pleasure to work with and has sent us some exceptional candidates. He listens to the needs of the Firm and candidates alike, and honestly cares for everyone involved. I look forward to working with him in the future!
Bill Davis and his team are a pleasure to work with! He listens carefully to our needs, truly understands the importance of cultural fit and consistently presents exceptional on-point lateral candidates for our consideration.
I have had the pleasure of working with Bill throughout a significant portion of my career. Bill is one of my first calls when we have a search because he has taken the time to familiarize himself with our firm and his careful submissions of quality candidates shows that. He is personable, professional and I have always enjoyed working with him.
Bill Davis is an exceptional legal recruiter. Our firm has been fortunate to have worked with him for many years. He is thoughtful in his approach to finding us the right candidates. He carefully screens and only submits those candidates he feels are right for the position and our firm culture. We also rely on Bill for his judgment and valuable insight into the current market.
Bill takes the time to develop an understanding of the practice and personalities his working with, and has a knack for spotting affable candidates whose interests, experience and skills best align with the practice’s needs - the diamond in the rough, so to speak. Bill and his team are resourceful and responsive, making a potentially-daunting candidate search that much smoother and more fruitful.
Bill Davis has a deep understanding and knowledge of the legal industry and how it relates to our needs. I’m amazed how he and his firm service countless clients while also giving us their undivided attention. This focus means Bill is always spot on with his submissions for which we are grateful. Working with Bill and his team is effortless, efficient and a genuine pleasure.
I have known and worked with Bill Davis for many years. He knows our Firm and sends us candidates who he feels would be a good fit from both a cultural and practice standpoint. Bill is always professional, respectful and genuine. He is an absolute pleasure to work with and I look forward to continuing to partner with him on our Firm’s needs.
Bill Davis and his team provide professional and diligent service in recruiting exceptional lateral talent for our firm. His deep knowledge of the legal market allows him to advocate for our specific needs while considering the right match for our culture. The Davis Group is an ideal partner for us!
I’ve worked with many search firms during my career, but Bill took things to a whole new level! Our in-house legal department had a very specific need which had been open and unfilled for 13 months. In short order, Bill presented a range of highly qualified attorneys with the right experience, qualifications, and cultural fit. He was able to access incredible candidates we could not have reached on our own and had our search closed in a few months. Above all, Bill is a great guy and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend him and the Davis Group for your in-house legal searches.
I have worked with Bill for over 15 years in both my current and previous roles. When recruiting it is key to me that I have a contact who is responsive and reliable. Bill possesses a deep knowledge of the lateral associate market. I value that he understands our needs and always tries to find the right fit for our firm. I would highly recommend him, as he always refers high quality candidates.
Olshan has had a positive relationship with Bill since 2007. He recently filled two openings for us where the process was seamless and the candidates, as well as the firm, are happy. Bill Davis, in particular, understands the needs of the firm and sticks to the script and doesn’t send candidates just to send them. There is a personal touch with KL Davis because it is a smaller agency and I have their attention for all of our hiring needs and can get results!
We have worked with Bill Davis and his team for over 15 years. They are consummate professionals who have taken care to get to know and understand our firm, ensuring that their candidate referrals are the right match for our culture and our needs.
I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Bill Davis on a wide variety of key associate and partner level searches over the past six years. Bill has a talent for producing targeted, highly qualified candidates that match not only the required skills of our positions, but who also fit the unique culture of our firm. He brings a contagious enthusiasm to the position filling process, offers creative solutions, and approaches challenging searches with an energetic can-do attitude. It’s refreshing to know that our firm’s strategic recruiting needs are on Bill’s radar and that we have a trusted professional representing us in the market.
I have worked with Bill Davis and his team for over 15 years. They have always been helpful with finding the best candidates to fit our firm and practice groups. Bill is an absolute asset to the Recruiting process.
Bill Davis has proved to be an incredibly reliable, thoughtful and knowledgeable legal recruiter with a wealth of expertise. Bill is positive, engaging, responsive and able to source and deliver excellent candidates that truly match our hiring needs. The trusted relationship developed over the many years of partnering on key lateral hiring searches means that Bill an invaluable resource. This is a professional relationship that I prize and treasure.
We have partnered with Bill Davis on many strategic searches over the past several years. He is a very talented recruiter, who knows the NY market well and develops a great rapport with candidates and clients alike. Bill makes every effort to understand us, our business strategies and our recruitment needs and these efforts have turned around some great candidates for our offices.
Bill has ably assisted Keane & Beane in its recruitment efforts. He takes the time to fully appreciate our staffing needs and selectively identifies candidates. Bill’s services streamline our placement processes, and have resulted in exceptional hires. I highly recommend working with Bill and look forward to doing so again in the future.
Bill Davis has provided us with solid candidates that fit our search criteria. He understands our firm and what we are looking for in a lateral hire candidate and is a pleasure to work with.
Bill Davis has been my “go to” recruiter for the last several years. He is smart, responsive, hard-working, and diligent and, most importantly, I trust what he says about the candidates he presents.
What Candidates Are Saying
Not all legal recruiters are created equal. I can say unequivocally that Bill stands tall in a very crowded field. From our initial meeting to our final wrap up call, he stood shoulder to shoulder. You’ll benefit from his interview tips and knowledge about law firms. For several of my interviews, Bill personally knew the key players and was able to speak to their personalities and to the group and firm culture. I highly recommend him for your search.
Bill is at the top of his game. He was an integral part of my recent move in-house. He is efficient and easy to communicate with and was always available to me. I had a number of starts and stops in my search. He kept me focused on the rough and competitive in-house job market terrain and inspired me to push forward after initially receiving several “passes” during my interviews. Bill stayed with me and was dedicated during the whole recruiting process, from beginning to end.
I’m coming up on my 3rd year anniversary and am 100% certain that without Bill’s assistance I would not have found this firm. He’s a pro and I appreciated his expertise and connections. I have recommended Bill to many others because he’s exactly the ally you need in your corner for something as important as a career move.
"I’m Facebook friends with my recruiter” – a quote from me to my best friend from law school. He’s at the top of his game professionally and happens to be a great guy. He kept a stressful process in perspective which involved lots of hold handing and bonding over the months which led to a great friendship. I’ve had the privilege of saying “I told you so” to several friends who I later introduced to Bill and who also had great experiences.
Bill is one of the most ethical and thorough recruiters with whom I’ve ever worked. He made me feel comfortable, and was honest, knowledgeable, and professional. His experience was obvious from the get-go but later in our interview prep sessions. He knows everyone and was able to talk about the personalities and backgrounds of my interviewers at several firms. One of the best things about him - and different from other experiences with recruiters, I never felt pressure to make decisions that were not fully my own. I was focused on finding the right place as I am a senior associate and wanted a firm with a runway to partnership. I highly recommend his services.
I had very specific lateral goals – one of which was to split my time between two practice groups -- and Bill was genuinely a magician at making all of them a reality. With respect to the process, he always kept me up to date, replied to my emails and (countless!) questions and was invaluable. He even managed to secure a sign-on bonus for me. I couldn’t be happier with our experience together and I recommend him wholeheartedly.
I have asked Bill to represent me in both of my searches, once as an associate and years later as a partner (he also filled an associate role for us in our group several months ago). Bill is incredibly knowledgeable about the market and culture of firms. As a lateral partner, I found his research, insight, and initial firm outreach to be phenomenal. When he presented me with prospects, I found that 80% of the firms I had thought about were on his list, the additional 20% made perfect sense in retrospect and I was grateful for that. He gets it.
Quoted & Noted
Bill Davis, managing principal at The Davis Group in New York, said he has seen an increase in Big Law candidates willing to hear him out about boutiques and small firms, as well as in-house opportunities. “Those lawyers not long ago were saying, ‘Are you kidding me? Why would I make a move now? It’s raining money here,’” Davis said.
"I would say that in terms of smaller law firm clients, this seems to be a nice turn of events for them," said New York-based recruiter Bill Davis of the Davis Group. "They find themselves in a situation where they're back in the driver's seat a bit, whereas in the last hiring frenzy, they were really outgunned by BigLaw salaries."
"It is important for a candidate to cast their time away from full-time work in a positive light," says Bill Davis, a legal recruiter in New York. "Prepare in advance for the most difficult question about your gap, and, no matter how long you have been out, don't be defensive. The more confident you are, the less time the interviewer is going to spend on the issue and the quicker you can move on to discuss other parts of your resume."
"The small and mid-size firms have trailed in the talent wars," said legal recruiter Bill Davis. Firms are having to sell themselves harder to candidates than in years past, and the "deep pockets" of the major firms have "really stunted the usual migration” by mid-level associates out of BigLaw into smaller firms, he said.
Bill Davis, a recruiter who works mainly with associates, said he has almost never heard associates express concerns about a firm's integrity in terms of its adherence to professional ethics, but that he has known many candidates who view broken promises around issues like work from home or compensation to be questions of integrity. "If [attorneys] feel that they've been shortchanged, you can bet that they'll bring that to me, and it will manifest as questioning [the firm's] integrity," Davis said. [...] Davis added that he especially hears associates talk about mentoring, and that associates are hungry for feedback. "Generationally, that is something they've come to expect," Davis said. "Law firms need to be aware of that. For whatever reason, this generation really wants that feedback."
These inquiries appear to be part of an effort by management firms to bolster their suddenly swamped traditional labor practices by recruiting from the other side, said legal recruiter BIll Davis of the Davis Group. Davis said hiring for traditional labor roles has surged in recent years amid an uptick in attention to union organizing. Davis has fielded more calls than usual from firms seeking attorneys who know their way around traditional labor, and search databases show this trend is widespread, he said. "My sense is, if recruiters aren't getting traction in identifying traditional management-side candidates, they may then turn to the labor side in the hopes that someone will make that switch," Davis said.
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