OUR NETWORK IS YOUR STARTING POINT

The search starts
with a connection.

We don’t build a contact list from scratch for every brief. Our recruiter network already has relationships with the leaders, partners and specialist lawyers who shape the legal market.

Real relationships. A more informed search.
01

Specialist recruiters

A connected network of recruiters sharing market knowledge, introductions and access to hard-to-reach talent.

02

Partners & legal leaders

Established relationships with law-firm partners, practice heads and in-house legal leaders.

03

Expert lawyers

Direct connections with specialist lawyers, including people who are not actively looking for a new role.

Jose, an Upnest recruiter, seated with his arms crossed against a warm orange background
JoseRecruiter · Upnest Lawyers

RECRUITERS WHO KNOW THE NICHE

“The best legal talent isn’t always on LinkedIn. Your connections have to be real.”

Knowing the practice area is only half the job. You need to know the people behind it: the partners, the specialists and the leaders they trust. That is where our recruiters start.

Talk to someone who knows your market

THE TALENT LANDSCAPE

Different worlds.
Exceptional standards.

From ambitious tech businesses
to established global law firms.

01Startups & scale-ups

  • Stripe
  • Revolut
  • Airbnb

02Global businesses

  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • Uber

03Leading law firms

  • Clifford Chance
  • Linklaters
  • Freshfields

Selected industry references, shown for illustration. Not a client list or a verified record of candidate employment. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

THE MORE SPECIFIC THE BRIEF, THE BETTER

Niche expertise.
No ordinary search.

Complex practices. Scarce experience.
The legal specialisms we search across.

01

Competition & Antitrust

Merger control, foreign investment screening and contentious competition matters.

Discuss this search
02

International Arbitration

Commercial arbitration, investor–state disputes and cross-border enforcement.

Discuss this search
03

Restructuring & Special Situations

Distressed debt, insolvency, creditor advisory and complex workouts.

Discuss this search
04

Financial Regulation & Fintech

Payments, digital assets, MiCA and the regulation of financial services.

Discuss this search
05

International Tax & Transfer Pricing

Cross-border structuring, transfer pricing disputes and tax controversy.

Discuss this search
06

Patent Litigation & Life Sciences

Complex IP disputes, pharmaceutical regulation and biotechnology.

Discuss this search
07

Data, AI & Cybersecurity

Data protection, AI governance, cyber incidents and technology regulation.

Discuss this search
08

Energy & Infrastructure

Project finance, energy transition and major infrastructure transactions.

Discuss this search

A brief that sits between practice areas? That is often where a specialist network makes the difference.

A SMALL TEAM. A VERY PARTICULAR SEARCH.

Not more CVs.
The right person.

We’re Upnest, a recruitment agency for hard-to-find legal talent. Partners, specialist associates and niche expertise for firms that need more than a vacancy filled.

01

Get under the surface.

Your firm, your culture, the experience you can’t find. A proper conversation, not another job specification.

02

Work the right connections.

Our recruiters combine existing relationships with targeted market mapping to reach specialists who aren’t looking for a move.

03

Make the right introduction.

A considered shortlist. Honest conversations. One search partner, right through to the final decision.

A DIFFICULT BRIEF. AN EASY FIRST CONVERSATION.

Who are you looking for?

Give us the brief