The right hire starts with the conversation no one else is having.
Our searches begin with real conversations.
We create space for lawyers to speak honestly about where they are, what’s missing, and what they need next.
And we help firms get clear on what growth actually looks like beyond headcount or hours.
When both sides are honest, the right move becomes obvious.
How We Work
1. We Start With What’s Often Left Unsaid
Lawyers are direct – but not always about themselves. Burnout, bad culture, feeling stuck… it’s not always easy to say.
We create space for honest conversations, without judgement or pressure. That’s how we get to what really matters.
2. We Help Firms Define What Growth Really Needs
The brief often starts with “we need another fee earner.”
But growth isn’t just about hours. It’s about finding someone ready to steer the needle – commercially, culturally, or through client trust.
We help firms strip it back and focus on who will actually move the business forward.
3. Every Search Is Different – But Always Structured
Whether it’s a partner hire, a senior lawyer with untapped potential, a team move or a merger conversation – no two searches look the same.
What stays consistent is how we run them: discreet, focused, and grounded in the strategy behind the move.
4. We Guide the Move With Clarity and Discretion
We keep conversations honest — and private.
Our role is to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and help both sides see what really matters.
When decisions are based on clarity – not guesswork – the right move becomes obvious.
Our Focus
At ThirtySix Search, everything we do is bespoke – built around people, not placements.
Whether you’re a lawyer considering your next move, or a firm looking to grow, we don’t force-fit solutions.
Every search is fully tailored to the people involved – with clarity and transparency at every stage.
We build long-term relationships, not quick wins.
And we won’t tell you what you want to hear – we’ll tell you what we see, because honest advice leads to better outcomes on both sides.
Headhunt
Search
Partner Moves
Team Moves
Firm Mergers
Succession & Retirement Planning
Client Success & Testimonials
“James is outstanding, thorough, sharp, and genuinely consultative. His ability to ask the right questions helped us uncover what the firm really needed, which led to better conversations, stronger alignment, and ultimately, the right hire.”
“I’ve not experienced this level of talent acquisition before, it’s genuinely impressive.
Working with James gave us the space to articulate the subtleties of what we were really looking for beyond the brief. His understanding of the legal market, combined with the rigour and discretion he brings to the process, made this feel nothing like traditional recruitment. As someone who’s worked in recruitment myself, I know how rare it is to come across someone who truly partners with you. This was, without question, the best hiring experience I’ve had”
“James doesn’t just manage a process, he leads it. In a niche market with complex demands, his ability to extract detail, align senior stakeholders, and execute with pace made a real impact on the outcome.”
“James has been an invaluable asset to our firm as a talent partner
Having worked with him across multiple hiring projects, I can confidently say he has played a key role in shaping the strength of our team. His approach goes well beyond filling roles. He has helped us build a model that not only attracts exceptional lawyers but also ensures they are onboarded with care and set up to stay. There is a real long term mindset to the way he works and it has made a tangible difference.”
“It is game-changing working with James. He takes the time to properly understand what we need as a client, which means we are never wasting time reviewing candidates who are not a great fit. The process is genuinely smooth and efficient. At the same time, he invests just as much care in getting to know the candidate. By the time they join, they already feel connected to our business. That level of detail makes a real difference”
“It is rare to find a search partner you can genuinely trust.
James brings a depth of understanding that goes well beyond the brief. He takes time to get under the skin of both the role and the wider business, and his insight into the market has been invaluable. Every part of the process feels considered and aligned, it is clear he is in this for the long term.”
“Helping to build our firm from 1 to 10 in six months is no small task
James managed the process with total confidence, clear delegation, structured delivery, and a calm grip on every moving part. I always feel assured he is doing exactly what he says he will. His communication saves me time and headspace, and he operates like a true extension of the business.”