Top California legal search and recruiting
MEET OUR TEAM
Madeleine Seltzer
Madeleine E. Seltzer earned her JD from USC Law School where…
Valerie Fontaine
Valerie A. Fontaine earned her JD from UC Hastings College of…
Roberta Kass
Roberta Kass has over 20 years of legal recruiting experience. She…
Amber Handman
Amber Handman spent 10 years at one of Washington, D.C.’s largest…
Celeste Reeder
Celeste Reeder has been in the business of legal recruiting since 2000.…
The Job Change Roller Coaster
Hang on! Leaving one job for another can bring up a roller-coaster of emotions. You are excited about your new, promising opportunity, but it’s also…
What is ESG?
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, three central factors measuring the sustainability and societal impact of an investment, company, or business. It is not a new investment…
Seven Things Employers Should NOT Do in a Zoom Interview
Originally posted on LawJobs.com. In the good old days (12 months ago), when lawyers interviewed for jobs, they dressed up in suits, maybe flew across…
What’s your sign?
Can employers legally discriminate based on astrological signs? In his June 2020 dissent in Bostock v Clayton County, Georgia, which extended workplace antidiscrimination protections to…
In-House - Private EquityGrowing L.A. PE firm seeks first in-house atty w/6+ yrs exp to liaison w/outside counsel & work w/sr mgmt & investment teams on legal, business, and compliance matters.
Corporate
Intellectual Property
- Entertainment AttorneysL.A. ent law firm w/name clients in film, TV & new media seeks attys w/2–10 yrs relevant transac'l exp w/law firm, ent co or studio. Devel of projects through financing, production, and distrib.
Litigation
Finance & Tax
- Sr Assoc / Jr. Partner - L&EMid-sized L.A. law firm seeks labor/emp sr assoc/jr partner w/advice/counsel and lit exp; class action/PAGA preferred. Firm provides excellent biz dev support.
Employment
Real Estate
TESTIMONIALS
Christopher Cianci, senior associate at Andrews Lagasse Branch + Bell LLP
Valerie is a dedicated, hard-working, thorough, kind, and understanding professional. I was so impressed with the amount of time she devoted to her clients and to assisting prospective candidates. As a recruiter,…
Shawn Thomas, senior litigation associate
Valerie Fontaine is extraordinarily knowledgeable about the LA legal job market. Valerie is also just a kind, pleasant-to-deal-with person, which goes a long way and isn't always a given among recruiters.
IP Associate, Los Angeles
Roberta was an amazing resource and friend during my job search. Her knowledge of the industry, the LA market, and recent hiring trends was invaluable in helping me locate good fits for…
Law Firm Managing Partner
Madeleine is a rare headhunter...not trying to talk me into a job because it might benefit her, but truly looking out for my interests, as well as her client's.
Luci Hamilton, executive director for the legal industry
Valerie is a world-class, awe-inspiring professional. She is always able to deliver on-time and at great value. In addition, she has been an inspiration to all attorneys that have read her outstanding…
Sandra Lepson, attorney at Sandra L. Lepson, Esq.
Madeleine found me my "perfect fit" job. She listened to me and understood my needs as well as those of the employer. Her ability to understand what the employer is looking for…
Bashir Eustache, senior counsel
Randy is a peerless professional in legal placement in Los Angeles. She remains at the top of my list, both because of her integrity and her extraordinary attention to detail.
Naomi Beard Nelson, ceo at Naomi Beard & Associates, Inc.
In a time when the legal market is tough and the role of the legal recruiter has changed, Roberta remains fully engaged, connected and responsive. She knows the market intimately. She is…
Lynne Traverse, manager of lateral recruiting at Bryan Cave
Valerie is someone I think of first when I look to partner with a professional search firm. I have known her for many years and have come to expect integrity, consistent communication,…
David Mainzer, partner at Spolin Cohen Mainzer LLP
Madeleine helped me with a difficult job search that other recruiters had no success in pursuing. As a result of Madeleine's hard work, experience and contacts, I found a good position at…
Amazon Book Reviewer of The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers
I was amazed to read such a comprehensive, detailed "how to" for any prospective or current lawyer in just one short volume! This book [The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development…
Lydia Hervatin, managing counsel at Toyota Financial Services
Randy came highly recommended to me for a very specialized attorney search. She is the best recruiter I've ever dealt with. Randy is not only extremely knowledgeable, professional and results oriented, she…
Gary Goodstein, partner at Goodstein & Berman LLP
Valerie is an exceptional legal recruiter. She has her finger on the pulse of the Los Angeles legal market. She has contacts at the best law firms in town and no one…
Megan Lorenz, associate at Latham & Watkins
Randy is an excellent recruiter. She is honest, committed, informed and responsive and will make every effort to get you into a position that will be a great fit. Randy is the…
Jeff Wutzke, counsel at Goodwin Procter
Of many legal recruiters with whom I've worked, Madeleine stands out as someone who truly listens, who is objective, and who strikes the right balance of pragmatism and enthusiasm when discussing prospects.…
Amazon Book Reviewer of The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers
I am fortunate to have read the book [The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers] and have the privilege of knowing the author. Valerie, in a nutshell, is…
Randolph L. Tom, senior advisor
I was a candidate that Valerie had identified for a publicly traded client's General Counsel position. Although the position was not of significant interest to me, I was extremely impressed with Valerie's…
Reg Levy, vice president of compliance and policy for Minds + Machines
Do you love your job? Do you see yourself doing it until you retire? If your answer is anything but “Yes!” to either of the above, Valerie A. Fontaine’s The Right Moves: Job Search…
Loura Alaverdi, partner at Baker Hostelter LLP
Randy is not only exceptionally gifted at what she does, she also brings energy and sense of humanity to her work.
Leo Martinez, professor at University of California Hastings College of the Law
I hired Valerie Fontaine, who is a principal of the Seltzer Fontaine legal search firm, to conduct a search for a new Executive Director for a non-profit organization for which I serve…
Peter Gurfein, partner at Landau Gottfried & Berger LLP
Randy is a trusted counselor and advisor whether retained by the hiring firm or by the candidate looking for placement. Highly recommended.
Phyllis Hawkins, legal recruiter at Phyllis Hawkins & Associates, Inc
Besides being a talented legal recruiter, Valerie's book "The Right Moves" should be a must read for attorneys looking to change jobs. I have known Valerie and her partners for many years…
Michael Song, associate at Perkins Coie LLP
Randy is extremely well connected, will scour the market to find any and all possible opportunities, and has the highest ethical standards. She is extremely responsive, and always keeps you in the…
Amazon Book Reviewer of The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers
No longer do lawyers join a law firm and remain through retirement. Because career change is so common, and so vital for lawyers to move up the career ladder, a book like…
Graham Sherr, assistant dean at Loyola Law School Los Angeles
I have known Randy for over 20 years. I was her competitor for ten years and developed the highest respect for her which continues to this day. There is no shortage of…
Amazon Book Reviewer of The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers
After purchasing and reviewing "The Right Moves", I found it to be completely engaging and informative. It is, among other things, intelligent, well organized, readable, comprehensive, multi-dimensional -- providing information for entry…
Francesco Barbera, corporate Attorney and founder at Barbera Corporate Law, PC
Randy is an exceptional, high-integrity legal recruiter with deep contacts in and knowledge of the attorney job market. I used Randy for a couple of job searches and she was without fail…
Amazon Book Reviewer of The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers
This book [The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers] was great right out of law school. I was pretty lost at what to do and this book had…
Brandon C. Fernald, trial attorney
I met Randy Beckwith in 2002, when I returned to Southern California looking for a firm job. It goes without saying that Randy knows the L.A. market well and is overall an…
Henry Bouchot, judge advocate at United States Marine Corps
Valerie was instrumental in helping me obtain employment following my military career. She is truly dedicated to helping service members, taking time out of her busy schedule to meet with me and…
Pamela Peery, associate legal editor at Daily Journal Corporation
I've always been impressed by how knowledgeable Valerie is. Very few people understand the Los Angeles legal market as well as Valerie does.
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