When I first approached Michelle to help me find a position after my clerkship, I had recently delivered my first child. I was anxious to work in an environment where I could gain valuable experience as a litigation associate and also expect a respectful environment for parents of young children. To put it more bluntly, I was nervous about making the wrong choice.
Michelle’s experience and relationships in Chicago were immediately evident. She spoke knowledgeably about the type of work I should expect and concrete details about each firm’s culture. Further, Michelle helped me prepare for interviews and process my reactions to potential opportunities. I am now at a firm where I am given valuable opportunities and enjoy my colleagues; I am also happy with how I show up in my personal life. Thank you, Michelle, for devoting your time to getting to know me not only as a young lawyer but also as a whole person.
Kailin Liu, Associate, Shook Hardy & Bacon
Michelle does a wonderful job identifying meaningful opportunities, while using a keen awareness of the “right fit” in assessing a job setting to make sure the opportunity is right. She has a clear understanding of the market with considerable experience, which gives her a marked advantage over her competitors. In addition, Michelle exercises unquestionable judgment and provides a solid comfort level which cannot be overestimated in unique and sensitive situations. I would recommend her without reservation.
Kathleen McDonough, Partner, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP
I have sought Michelle’s advice at various stages of my career – after a clerkship as a junior attorney, as a partner, and as a hiring manager looking for top notch talent. In every situation she has provided me with invaluable counsel in the decision-making process. Michelle is not simply a resource, but an ally and a friend, and that is what makes her one of the most effective recruiters in Chicago.
Alais Griffin, General Counsel, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (former Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP)
I have known Michelle since before I began practicing as an attorney. Michelle has been an invaluable resource for me in a number of different capacities on numerous occasions. In particular, she has acted in the capacity as a counselor. Michelle is a master at interview preparation and practice. I am a naturally uncomfortable interviewer, but her work with me allowed me to go into my interviews prepared, confident and able to shine. Thanks in no small part to her, I secured multiple job offers and accepted a position at one of the top firms in the country. Michelle also has an incredible grasp of the Chicago legal market. She has a deep understanding of the cultures, personalities and nuances of nearly every large Chicago firm. She took the time to know me and was candid in her thoughts about where I would and would not fit. As I have gained a greater personal understanding of the Chicago legal market, I have gained an appreciation that her observations were spot on. Michelle has the highest level of integrity and is talented, well connected and intelligent. Most importantly, she cares about what she does and about her candidates. While working with her, she was not solely interested in placing me in a position, but she was invested in placing me in the right position. I cannot recommend Michelle highly enough.
John Krocak, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
As a senior level associate relocating to Chicago from out of state, I found Michelle’s advice and counsel invaluable. She used her law firm and in-house contacts to secure the broad range of interviewing opportunities I was looking for and provided all the information I needed to make an informed decision when the time came to accept a position. She is also just a really lovely and delightful person, on top of being absolutely and always a professional. I highly recommend Michelle and her firm to any lawyer looking to make a lateral move.
Sheila Sokolowski, Partner, Hogan Marren, Ltd.
When I moved to Chicago from the East Coast, I was very fortunate to have Michelle working with me to land a lateral position. She helped narrow my list of target firms, identified a potential open position that aligned with my experience, and had me interviewing within days. Her cover letter on my behalf was thoughtful and thorough, and emphasized my experiences and accomplishments that ultimately proved to be what the firm was looking for. Equally important, the firm she pointed me to proved to be a match for what I was looking for. My search with Michelle was exactly as I hoped it would be—fast, efficient, and an unqualified success.
Adam Rick, Partner, Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C.
Michelle got me a great job in a very tough economy. At a time when it seemed like no one was hiring, Michelle got me the city I wanted, the practice area I wanted, and the pay I wanted. No one can beat Michelle’s knowledge of the legal market, and no one has her relationships in the industry. What really sets Michelle apart, though, is her dedication to finding the right job for her clients. I still call her for career advice, and she’s still always right.
Ashley Burden, Trial Attorney, Division of Enforcement at CFTC, (former Litigation Associate, Dechert LLP)
I worked with Michelle on a lateral move between law firms. I was impressed by her extensive knowledge of the Chicago legal field, and that she took the time to find the right fit for me. She made the placement process easier by advocating strongly for me and my best interests. I also highly recommend Michelle because of her extensive contacts, understanding of the market, high standard for integrity, and ability to obtain key information to help clients find the right placement. She is an excellent counselor/advisor and takes the time to know her clients in order to determine the best fit. I would not hesitate to work with Michelle again.
Ann Chen, Senior Counsel, Abbott
I came to Michelle looking to make a lateral move in Chicago. From the outset, she took the time to get to know me and actually figure out where I wanted to go in my career. She was incredibly thoughtful and selective in which firms she approached on my behalf. In the end, she told me about the position I currently hold with the federal government in Washington, D.C.; a position for which she made no commission. I am incredibly grateful to Michelle and would not hesitate to work with her again!
Andrea Manka, Special Assistant to the Chief Counsel at Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
I sought Michelle’s counsel when I was contemplating a lateral move from New York to Chicago. Michelle’s skills, expertise, and unparalleled knowledge of the Chicago legal market assisted me at every stage of the lateral search process search, including identifying firms of interest, drafting and revising my resume, and preparing for interviews. Michelle also conducts her business with the utmost integrity and ethics that always placed my interests at the forefront. I have and will continue to recommend Michelle to friends and colleagues that are considering a lateral move.
Chris Hinojosa, Associate, Kirkland & Ellis
Working with Michelle was an absolute pleasure. Her knowledge of the Chicago legal market is deep and current, and she put me in a position to succeed with every firm I hoped to consider. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking to find his or her ideal firm.
John Robinson, Associate, Quinn Emanuel
Michelle is a loyal and trustworthy advisor. She has successfully landed opportunities for me that I would not have found without her introduction and assistance. I have always believed she put my best interest first, and that her goal was to find the right job for my long-term growth and career objectives.
John Peschke, VP and Associate General Counsel, MB Financial Bank
Integrity. Compassion. Wisdom. These are just a few of the glowing words that come to mind when I think of Michelle McAndrew, who has been a mentor for me throughout my career. Michelle has been there for me during several critical career junctures and has given me invaluable advice. I highly recommend Michelle for any law firm or law candidate interested in her services. Your best interests and long-term fit will be her priority.
Emily Friedman, Associate General Counsel, MacArthur Foundation
In 2007, two years into my legal career, my wife accepted a position in Northwestern University’s history Ph.D. program. After realizing that my Washington DC-based law firm could not accommodate me in Chicago, I was searching for help. After an uncomfortable conversation with a recruiter from a larger firm, a friend suggested that I reach out to Michelle. She was a breath of fresh air. She took the time to analyze my career objectives and develop a personalized strategy for approaching opportunities in Chicago. I knew I could rely on Michelle to be responsive and coordinate my visits with various top-tier Chicago firms. In addition to her deep knowledge of the Chicago legal landscape, Michelle recommended real estate attorneys and mortgage brokers to help us with the purchase of our new home. During my first Chicago winter, when I was working around the clock and studying for the Illinois bar exam, Michelle shared words of encouragement. She offered congratulations after the birth of our first child. Michelle and I have stayed in contact over the years not only because she is a talented recruiter but also because she is a wonderful person. I recommend Michelle at every opportunity. She has her finger on the pulse of the Chicago legal market.
Michael Fine, Partner, Wyatt Tarrant & Combs LLP (former Associate, McDermott Will & Emery LLP)
Michelle is a fantastic career advisor who knows the Chicago legal market like no other. She is super personable and professional. I have trusted Michelle over many years on career matters that involved her services and sometimes did not – because I trust her judgment completely. Michelle is an asset in any environment.
Tom Blanchard, Global Lead M&A Attorney, Accenture (former Corporate Associate, Kirkland & Ellis)
I have referred countless students and colleagues to Michelle for placement and career advice over the years. In my experience, she always gives thoughtful, nuanced consideration to each candidate. Because she had an enormously successful career as a practicing attorney in both the private and public interest sectors, she really “gets” the attorney’s perspective. In addition, she has also proven extraordinarily insightful about what particular employers are looking for as well as the legal market more generally. Her expertise and judgment, combined with her accessible and friendly demeanor, truly set her apart.
Hillary Coustan, Partner, Massey & Gail LLP
I would absolutely recommend Michelle to anyone who is looking to make a move to Chicago or to move firms within Chicago. Michelle is an incredible resource on both a personal and professional level, and she really took the time to listen to what I was looking for in my career and how that fit into my personal goals as well. Michelle definitely has her finger on the pulse of the legal community, not just on a firm level, but also the inter-workings of each firm – be it individuals’ personnel or practice groups. Michelle was able to find an opportunity for me at a top firm here in Chicago and really went the extra mile in helping me prepare for the interview so as to secure that position. I couldn’t have been happier with the process or the results – I am truly grateful to Michelle for all her hard work and assistance.
David Hutchins, General Counsel North America Private Investments, Bain Capital (former Corporate Associate, Kirkland & Ellis LLP)
After deciding I that wanted to change my area of practice but before beginning my job search, a colleague referred me to Michelle and Atticus Recruiting. Meeting Michelle was instrumental to me finding the position I wanted. As a relatively inexperienced attorney, and with even less experience in the field in which I sought to practice, Michelle took a sincere interest in my cause: she prepared me for interviews, answered any and all questions I posed, and otherwise acted as an authoritative resource on job placement in the legal market while I searched for the perfect fit. To me, what best exemplified Michelle’s integrity was her willingness to share with me a particularly attractive lead despite the fact that she did not stand to gain had I received and accepted an offer of employment. Due to my inexperience, the firm I interviewed with would not have taken an interest in me if they would have had to pay a recruiter’s fee. Michelle knew this, yet she went out of her way to help me get the position I desired because she truly loves what she does and is the best in the business. Without reservation, I would recommend Michelle and Atticus Recruiting to candidates and employers for all of their placement needs.
Brian White, Associate, Sidley Austin LLP
Having worked in a “Big Firm” for five years out of law school I thought I had my dream job when I accepted an associate general counsel position at a large investment bank. After less than a year working in-house, I knew it was not the right fit for me. In a stroke of incredible luck (and Google) I happened to find Michelle and Rob and they worked with me to find the right position in a fantastic firm here in Chicago. While it seems odd to jump from law firm to in-house back to law firm, Michelle and Rob not only sought out employers that were a perfect fit for my unique background but also coached me through some tough questions with respect to the interview process that had I not discussed prior might have dissuaded my end result. I could not be happier where I am at and it is 100% due to the persistence and assistance of Michelle and Rob. You have my deepest gratitude for not only your effort but also for caring about placing me in the right firm and not just any firm.
Jennifer Dulski, Senior Attorney Waddell & Reed, (former Corporate Associate, Foley & Lardner LLP)
It would be difficult for me to overstate how much I appreciate Michelle and all of the work that she has done on my behalf. As someone who has been in the professional world for a number of years and who has, like all lawyers, fielded cold calls from legal recruiters on a regular basis, I was admittedly cynical about how much extra value a recruiter could actually bring to my job search. After my first meeting with Michelle, I was convinced that she was more competent, knowledgeable, and compassionate than any other recruiter that I’d ever met. Perhaps most invaluably, Michelle took the time to get to know me, to understand my story, and to recognize the attributes that I sought in a workplace. She worked with me, in person, to help refine my professional narrative, through which I was better able to communicate my value to potential employers. She also suggested tweaks to my resume — things that I probably would have never thought of — that enhanced it in subtle, but important, ways. Michelle worked with me to identify the firms that best fit my criteria and then utilized her extensive professional network to see to it that, whether the firm was openly hiring or not, my name made it to the desk of a decisionmaker. Even after I was placed at a leading global firm, Michelle continued to take the time to periodically reach out to me—to check in to see that I was still pleased with the job, or simply to chat and catch up. To this day, I cannot thank her enough or express how grateful I am to have had the chance to work with her.
Shanda Sibley, Associate, Littler Mendelson
Michelle and I met when I was trying to make a transition out of a large law firm. The thing you immediately notice when you speak with Michelle is that she thinks about your professional goals in a very strategic way. She does not take open positions and try to fit you into them. She opens her vast rolodex and brings to bear her diverse experiences as an attorney to figure out how she can help you make the best decision for your career, irrespective of her monetary incentives. She quickly became more of a close friend than a recruiter to me, and even as I have moved on to my second in-house position since leaving the law firm, I still call upon her for career advice.
Vineet Shahani, Director, Legal, Nest Labs (former Corporate Associate, Latham & Watkins)
I first met Michelle more than twelve years ago when I was looking to transition from a law firm to an in-house position. All these years later, I consider her a friend. She possesses all of the qualities that you expect of a great legal recruiter: she’s very smart, insightful, well informed, and diligent. What sets her apart is her regard for her clients. She builds relationships that last beyond the immediate job search because she cares about her clients’ long term personal and professional goals instead of just focusing on the near-term situation. I have trusted her judgment and good counsel throughout my career. I couldn’t recommend her more highly.
James Adams, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Boyd Gaming Corporation