Founding Partner, Michelle Foster, featured in Ellevate Network's Member Spotlight
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We are delighted to have our Founding Partner, Michelle Foster, featured in Ellevate Network’s Member Spotlight!
Introduce yourself to our audience. Tell us who you are and what you are currently focused on.
I am the Founder and Managing Partner of The Foster Group Legal Search, a boutique search firm, that successfully placed 5% of all Partners in New York City (2016), which is quite an achievement for a smaller firm! I am focused on adding value to both the candidates and law firms I work with. With 18 years of experience, I certainly have a wealth of knowledge to share, and a hefty rolodex. Beyond these two essentials, I am wholeheartedly dedicated to the work I do, and the clients I choose to work with. I am constantly told that I put in more effort and take a uniquely tailored/personalized approach, when compared to other recruiters. This is something I pride myself and my business on, and I have reaped the rewards.
I am a lawyer by training, beginning my career as a litigation attorney and earnestly working my way to earning a law firm partnership - which was a milestone that I set for myself and my career.
I transitioned my law firm experiences to a lengthy legal recruiting career where I achieved financial and professional success. Prior to opening my own firm, I was the number one recruiter at one of the largest legal recruiting firms in the country.
What qualities does it take for someone to be successful in your line of work?
A successful legal recruiter is intuitive, persistent, a good listener and confident in their ability to give good advice. It takes continued enthusiasm to remain even-keeled during the search process, which is mired with highs and lows. It is essential to have a good work ethic, be detail-oriented and have strong organizational and follow up skills. Recruiters must keep focused on the long-term view, because it can be some time before the financial rewards of recruiting keep pace with the reward that comes with finding the right job for the right candidate. I have accumulated a tremendous amount of knowledge as to the legal market and built deep relationships with attorneys, Managing Partners, and Hiring Partners over the past 18 years and as a result, I have made hundreds of fruitful placements. Continuing to cultivate relationships and expand my knowledge base remains essential to my continued success.
What is one of your most memorable career accomplishments?
The most memorable accomplishment for me was the day I opened my own recruiting business. Following a long-standing litigation and legal recruiting career, I had the confidence and vision to create a recruiting firm that has deepened my law firm relationships and brought fulfilling career prospects to legal candidates. It has been personally rewarding to have been able to do this with my daughter and discover that our partnership is not only a great pleasure, but is extremely productive.