I thought that First Counsel were the best consultancy with whom I had dealings. I found Chris Cayley very pleasant to deal with and he clearly gave a lot of thought to my search. I am very happy to recommend First Counsel to friends and colleagues.

Candidate (May 2008)

I was extremely impressed with First Counsel, and in particular, with my consultant, Monique. I found First Counsel to be very professional, efficient and committed to providing an excellent service. It is clear that Monique invests a lot of time in the process, firstly meeting with prospective employers to determine exactly what they are looking for, meeting with candidates to obtain a good understanding of their experience and skill set, determining which positions would be suitable for each candidate, and finally summarizing each candidate's CV before submitting it to prospective employers. I have found that many recruitment agents simply forward all candidates' CVs to prospective employers, without performing this in-depth analysis, which results in both employers and candidates wasting a lot of time. I would definitely engage First Counsel again, and I highly recommend them to prospective employers and job seekers.

Candidate (April 2008)

As this looks like the end of my job search for now, I'd like to thank you for all your efforts to date. The experience with First Counsel as an agency has been first rate, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you and your colleagues above others for the legal sector - you have been invaluable.

Candidate (November 2007)

The assignment was not simple: to search for a mid-level, high-potential legal marketeer to take over marketing and BD activities in our Rome office.  Moreover, to make it even more complex is the fact that legal marketing is a relatively new field in Italy, thus scarcity of experienced people puts an extra challenge.  First Counsel promptly delivered in a creative and somehow surprising way: they were able to identify a US-based candidate, perfectly bilingual with exactly the experience and potential we were looking for and - above all - eager to relocate.  Then the search process: it has been managed in a very professional way with clear reporting and prompt updates.

Allen & Overy, Rome

We were very pleased with First Counsel's service, which was attentive and efficient. They were keen to understand fully our culture, "set-up" and detailed requirements, and as a result they were able to find candidates who were right for us. – Martin Armstrong, Legal Director

Philips Electronics UK

First Counsel did a terrific job helping us recruit a senior lawyer for the role of International Counsel. As a recruiter they were exemplary, but more importantly they added value by providing quality guidance and advice which I valued and relied upon throughout the process. Their wisdom and experience really showed. I would be happy to instruct them again and to recommend them.

Reinsurance Group of America

I have been working with First Counsel for some time now and most recently on an advertising campaign, as a result of which we have made an appointment. I found them knowledgeable about the market, responsive and enjoyable to work with. First Counsel has consistently introduced a high calibre of applicant to WPP and I have been impressed by their ability source people from the backgrounds we are looking for. I have also always felt that they are listening and have mine and WPP's interests to the fore. In addition, their candid and pragmatic advice about the market and the people they introduce is noticeable and was appreciated. I will happily continue to use them and to recommend them.

WPP plc

I was very pleased with how First Counsel handled our assignment. We were looking to appoint our first lawyer in Europe and First Counsel provided a shortlist of applicants, all of whom had very relevant experience for the role, quickly and effectively. We were able to make an appointment from that shortlist and are delighted by the outcome, after a process that was trouble free. I enjoyed working with First Counsel and happily recommend them.

Royal Caribbean Cruises

After a long and fruitless executive search, First Counsel took on what had been described as a near-impossible task and within a few weeks had found the right candidate for the role. They are responsive, creative and, ultimately most importantly, know their market.

Taylor Wessing

Bates Wells and Braithwaite employed First Counsel to help us in the search for our first Partnership Executive Officer. I am very glad we did so. They helped us produce a focused job description and then handled the sifting of the 120 applicants down to a manageable shortlist from which we had 3 good candidates with the result that we were able to offer the job and make an appointment all within our timescale. I have no doubt that without First Counsel's role we would not have achieved this result. They were throughout very professional, supportive and efficient.

Bates Wells and Braithwaite

I enjoyed working with Tim Skipper immensely. We were looking for a consultant that really understood our business, could demonstrate a sound knowledge of the market and would be a strong ambassador for us when representing the opportunity we had. Tim met our expectations and we have been able to recruit a fantastic candidate for our role. Throughout our process, Tim was completely on the ball and gave very honest, practical advice - something that I valued greatly. We will work with First Counsel again and look forward to continuing the relationship.

Brodies

I enjoyed working with First Counsel. They are my favourite recruiter by far as they avoid talking rubbish.

Reed Smith Richard Butler

We have worked successfully with First Counsel on a number of assignments now and value their involvement in the recruitment process. They have a professional approach, provide constructive advice and have taken the time to get to know Beazley. As a result, they consistently introduce relevant and high calibre people to us, which has resulted in a number of successful appointments.

Beazley PLC

We really appreciated First Counsel's professionalism in our recruitment process. They consistently introduced high calibre people to us, which led to a successful appointment. We have dealt with other recruiters in the past and can recommend First Counsel as by far the best.

Leading Investment Fund

We initially used First Counsel because they listened to what we wanted, thoroughly researched and profiled each candidate and gave us a balanced and informative opinion based on more than just the CV. The more we have worked with them, the more they have demonstrated an ability to consistently perform at the highest level. They are a first class outfit and a very likeable bunch of people.

Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw LLP

I was very pleased with the work that First Counsel undertook for Inspired Gaming. They were successful in finding people for us for two very different and challenging roles. They produced strong applicants for both positions, gave excellent advice throughout the process and were enjoyable to work with.

Inspired Gaming

Just a brief word to thank you for all your assistance in relation to this recent piece of recruitment; your hard efforts and efficiency are much appreciated by us.

Ashurst

First Counsel successfully identified our first Legal Counsel. We found their service to be thorough and professional, and they worked with us to ensure a successful completion of the assignment. I have no hesitation in recommending or using First Counsel again in the future.

Scottish Re

First Counsel conducted a very successful campaign for us which resulted in the recruitment of three high calibre individuals into our team. We view the recruitment processes of being of tremendous importance and we were delighted with the service that First Counsel provided and with the outcome. They applied themselves to the campaign with enthusiasm, rigor and professionalism and took the time to ensure that they fully grasped our needs both in terms of skill set and fit with the existing team. I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Imperial Tobacco

First Counsel has made its mark in a competitive environment. They can be relied upon to approach recruitment in a shrewd manner that does not compromise on quality or professionalism.

Charles Russell

I was delighted with First Counsel's work. They handled an important appointment for the group, with professionalism, perseverance, candour and expert advice. Their market knowledge and assessment of individuals is excellent.

Wolseley plc.

First Counsel successfully managed the recruitment campaign for our in-house International Legal Counsel. Throughout the campaign I found their service to be excellent. An appropriate short-list was provided in a timely manner, resulting in the successful appointment of our chosen candidate. Should the need arise, I would use the services of First Counsel in the future.

FM Global

First Counsel provided an excellent service and identified a first class list of candidates for a key position in our organisation. They were professional, helpful and responsive at all times and provided spot-on advice throughout. I was delighted to have had the benefit of their guidance and experience during the recruitment process.

Save The Children

We have used First Counsel to assist us with recruitment briefs within IT and Marketing, for both London focused roles and for roles with a European focus. During these recruitment campaigns, First Counsel have become an integral part of our recruitment process. They are involved at the start and have given us invaluable advice with regard to job specifications and possible structures. They work closely with us throughout the selection process to successful completion. Their consultants have a wealth of knowledge and experience which is appreciated by me and the B&M line managers that they work with. I look forward to working with First Counsel on future recruitment campaigns.

Baker & McKenzie

I was very pleased with the service I received from First Counsel, who quickly and effectively sourced applicants for us. We have now recruited someone whom we are delighted to have joining the group. First Counsel clearly put the interests of MWH and the applicant first and I am more than happy to recommend them.

MWH Global

I was very pleased with service I received from First Counsel, who successfully sourced two high calibre corporate lawyers for us through an advertising campaign. I was impressed not only by their professionalism, but also by their ability to reach a broad pool of lawyers internationally. I would have no hesitation in using First Counsel for future assignments.

PWC Logistics

As Wragge's recruitment partner, First Counsel undertook a critical (and in my experience an unusual) role by taking a highly professional competencies based approach to initial candidate selection. This was coupled with a testing and rigorous interview process to ensure best fit between candidates and the role, irrespective of market sector experience. My view of First Counsel is of a highly professional team of quality individuals prepared to go that extra mile to deliver for clients and in doing so take an individualised approach to prospective candidates rather than treating them as commodities. This seems to me to be an enlightened approach to recruitment and has meant that I have been successful in moving into the Legal Services Sector which must surely benefit from an influx of diverse commercial experience and skills.

Candidate

"First Counsel really do take time to understand what I am looking for, understand how we work and make good judgments about who would work well within our team and our business."

Gillian Sutherland, Business Development Partner, Davis Langdon

“I asked First Counsel to assist me in recruiting a Director of Human Resources and a Director of Marketing. They were very helpful not only in finding good recruits but in helping me prepare job descriptions and articulate what I was looking for in  a way that would be attractive to high calibre candidates in the market place.  I found their approach professional, knowledgeable and user friendly and would highly recommend them to others”

Alison Morley, Managing Director, Capsticks

“First Counsel have provided a first class service and support to a recent recruitment exercise looking for a senior position within the firm. They have taken time to get to know the firm and our specific requirements which has made it feel very much like to team effort all the way through”

Kate Sanderson, Deputy Director HR, Training and Development, Nabarro

“A good recruitment agency is defined as much by what it doesn't do as by it what it does do.  It doesn't inundate you with CVs, it doesn't simply summarise the candidate's career history in their covering note without adding insight, and it doesn't waste your time by sending along candidates who, despite a respectable CV, are clearly not right for the job or the firm.  Amazingly, very few recruitment agencies seem to pass this simple test.  Recruitment takes an enormous amount of my time, so I only want to work with firms that really understand our needs and ensure that candidates are the right calibre and fit with our team.  First Counsel are one of the few that meet this test.  Their candidate assessments knock spots off those provided by even their best competitors.  I like their people and find them straight talking and helpful”

Serena Simmons, Director of Business Development, Lovells

“We have used First Counsel on a variety of projects, each time they have demonstrated a great understanding of recruitment trends within our marketplace. Customer service and advice have been excellent and they have delivered quality candidates to help develop our growing team”

Neil Templeton, Marketing Director, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP

“SJ Berwin have been working closely with First Counsel as a preferred supplier for several years focusing on discreet searches, qualified legal hires and senior business support roles. Their dedicated, dynamic and highly experienced team have developed an in depth understanding of our culture and requirements so we have great faith in their ability to fulfill our needs. They embrace even the trickiest of assignments and have the tenacity and sense of humour to stick with it when the going gets tough”

Louise Crumpton, Senior HR Manager, SJ Berwin

“Working with First Counsel is a highly positive experience.  We have come to rely heavily on the quality of their short-listing expertise and the very high standard of service delivery that they offer.  From initial instruction through to completion, First Counsel acts as an extension of our Firm - something that we view as a key success factor with regard to any of our agency relationships.  First Counsel understands our business and our culture and we admire their core principles; both elements are crucial for us to work successfully together. First Counsel is certainly in the forefront of our minds in terms of recruiting expertise for law firm management”

Linda Johnston, HR Director, Bird & Bird

“Thank you both so much for all your first-rate first counsel help.  Deeply impressive as usual.  You have no proper competition in your market”

Head of Marketing joining top tier US law firm

“Can I just take this opportunity to thank you for all of your help over the last few months - it has been really refreshing to work with a Consultant who really knows what they are doing & understands the business (compared to most other HR agencies I've dealt with), and to work with someone who has the courtesy to keep candidates up to date with what's going on. I will definitely recommend you to any colleagues of mine who may be looking to work in the legal sector”

HR Manager candidate