Building the Legal Leadership That Drives Success
The legal market is evolving—from regulatory complexity and globalized compliance demands to digital transformation in law firms and corporate legal departments. Success in this rapidly changing landscape requires strategic legal professionals who can navigate cross-border regulations, manage risk, and provide business-driven legal counsel.
At Ward Howell, we partner with top law firms, corporate legal teams, and compliance leaders to secure exceptional legal talent—from high-performing partners and practice groups to in-house general counsel and legal innovators.
Shaping the Next Generation of Law Firm Partners & Corporate Counsel
The legal profession is undergoing a transformation. Once driven by billable hours and prestige, success now hinges on strategic advisory capabilities, cross-border expertise, and the ability to integrate legal services into broader business strategies.
Firms and in-house legal teams must attract, retain, and develop legal professionals who can:
- Bridge legal expertise with business acumen, helping organizations navigate risk while driving commercial success.
- Manage global regulatory shifts, including GDPR, ESG compliance, financial regulations, and evolving corporate governance laws.
- Leverage legal technology, embracing AI-powered legal research, contract automation, and data-driven compliance strategies.
At Ward Howell, we help global law firms, boutique specialists, multinational corporations, and fast-scaling startups find and develop the legal minds that shape the future.
The Legal Market’s Defining Challenges & Leadership Needs
How We Help Law Firms & In-House Legal Teams Secure the Right Talent
Partner & Practice Group Hiring for Law Firms
Leading law firms must build dynamic, business-savvy partnerships that drive growth.
- Recruiting high-performing partners and practice groups in corporate law, litigation, M&A, finance, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property.
- Helping firms strategically expand into new practice areas, geographies, and industries.
- Advising on succession planning and firm leadership transitions for managing partners, senior counsel, and governance committees.
- General Counsel & In-House Legal Leadership
Corporate legal teams are evolving into core business strategists.
- Identifying General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Chief Legal Officers who can navigate risk, governance, and business transformation.
- Recruiting specialized legal executives for financial regulations, ESG compliance, intellectual property, and data privacy.
- Developing succession plans for in-house legal teams, ensuring continuity in legal risk management and corporate advisory roles.
- Compliance, Risk & Regulatory Expertise
Organizations need legal professionals who understand regulatory complexities across industries.
- Recruiting Chief Compliance Officers, regulatory affairs specialists, and risk management leaders to navigate global regulations.
- Securing legal professionals for highly regulated industries, including financial services, healthcare, and technology.
- Building teams that integrate compliance with corporate strategy, cybersecurity, and operational risk mitigation.
- Legal Technology & Innovation Leadership
AI, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping legal services.
- Identifying Chief Innovation Officers and Legal Tech Directors to implement AI-powered legal operations, contract automation, and eDiscovery solutions.
- Recruiting legal professionals with expertise in blockchain, smart contracts, and regulatory technology (RegTech).
- Helping firms and legal departments build digitally fluent teams that leverage AI-driven insights and workflow optimization.
- Global Expansion & Cross-Border Legal Strategy
International businesses require legal professionals who understand multi-jurisdictional risk and regulatory challenges.
- Finding legal experts in cross-border M&A, trade law, and international dispute resolution.
- Recruiting lawyers with fluency in foreign legal frameworks, ensuring seamless global business operations.
- Helping firms and corporations build legal teams that align with global expansion strategies.
Future-Ready Legal Talent Solutions
At Ward Howell, we do more than find legal professionals—we develop long-term talent strategies that position law firms and in-house legal teams for sustained success.
Whether you’re a top-tier law firm expanding into new markets, a corporate legal team strengthening regulatory expertise, or a legal tech innovator optimizing operations, we ensure your legal talent drives business growth, mitigates risk, and adapts to evolving industry challenges.
The future of the legal industry is changing—does your leadership team have the expertise to navigate it?
Partner
Bernd Prasuhn
Chairman of the Global Board
JUTTA LOHKAMPFF
Member of the Global Board & MANAGING PARTNER
NATALIE BAIRAKTARIDIS
Managing Partner
LUIGI MANCIOPPI
Partner & Chairman Italy
JENS HAGEDORN
MANAGING PARTNER
GORDON CHEN
Managing Director
RONY LAN
Partner
Susie Marks
Partner
SIMON E. FRANCO
Partner
