Discreet legal search, built for boutique and small firms.
We help law firms grow — whether that means hiring the right partners or acquiring the right boutique.
Who We Serve
We partner exclusively with:
Boutique law firms – specialist practices with a defined niche and high service standards.
Small firms – typically under 100 lawyers, where every hire matters to culture and client service.
Managing Partners & Hiring Partners – leaders who need more than a stack of CVs or a database list.
Firms without in-house recruitment teams – where hiring or acquisitions are just one of many hats you wear.
We're a fit for you if:
1. You want passive candidates who are thriving where they are, until we show them your opportunity.
2. You value confidential, targeted outreach over recruiter spam or broker blasts.
3. You're exploring growth through merger or acquisition and want discreet introductions to ambitious founder-led firms, not a "for sale" list.
How We Work
1. We Start With What's Often Left Unsaid
Lawyers are direct, but not always about themselves. Burnout, cultural misfit, or feeling stuck aren't easy to admit.
We create space for honest conversations, without judgement or pressure. That's how we uncover what really matters.
2. We Help Firms Define What Growth Really Means
The brief often starts with "we need another fee earner."
But real growth isn't just about billable hours, it's about finding people or firms who can move the needle: commercially, culturally, and through client trust.
We help firms strip it back to focus on who (or what) will actually drive 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 founder-led firm open to merger conversations, no two searches look the same.
What stays consistent is how we run them: discreet, focused, and grounded in strategy.
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 ensure both sides see what really matters.
When decisions are based on clarity, not guesswork, the right move becomes obvious.
Our Focus
At ThirtySix Search, we don't run "processes", we run searches built around people, not placements.
Whether you're a lawyer considering your next move, or a firm ready to grow, we never force-fit a solution. We take the time to understand what will work commercially, culturally, and personally.
Every search is bespoke, with clarity and transparency at every stage. The best outcomes come from trust, not transactions, which is why we focus on building long-term relationships, not just closing deals.
We won't just tell you what you want to hear, we'll tell you what we see.
Honest advice leads to better outcomes for both sides. Always.
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 partnerHaving 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."