Marquis Who's Who Honors Michelle J. Foster for Expertise in Law and Legal Recruitment
/Marquis Who’s Who Honors Michelle J. Foster for Expertise in Law and Legal Recruitment
Michelle J. Foster has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Foster has established herself as a distinguished figure and prolific recruiter in the legal recruitment industry, having served as the Managing Partner at The Foster Group Legal Search since 2014. Michelle has been highly sought out by clients and candidates alike, who are eager to partner with Michelle and benefit from her extensive legal network and connections. In this role, she has been instrumental in assisting a broad cross section of law firms and corporations recruit top legal talent, and has successfully guided countless legal professionals through the intricacies of career advancement. Ms. Foster takes a career counseling approach to recruiting and her hands-on approach includes meeting with candidates, assisting them in preparing for client meetings, and providing invaluable coaching and advice for interviews. She routinely meets with Managing Partners and Hiring Partners at a broad cross-section of law firms to learn as much as possible about the firms and their strategic hiring goals. Ms. Foster’s expertise also extends to authoring articles for various publications, and contributing to the broader discourse within her field. To date, she has made more than 600 placements in her recruiting career.
Prior to her current position, Ms. Foster was a partner and top recruiter at the largest global legal search firm, Major, Lindsey & Africa, from 2003 to 2014. Here, she honed her skills in legal search and recruitment, building a foundation for her subsequent entrepreneurial ventures and a reputation as a highly successful recruiter. Earlier in her career, she was an attorney at Jones Hirsch Conners Bull from 1989 to 1996, where she further developed her legal acumen with a winning decision in the New York Court of Appeals, and, notably, was one of the firm’s first woman partners. Ms. Foster began her career as a litigation associate at Greenhill Speyer Thurm from 1984 to 1989, where she first delved into the legal profession and learned the art of persuasive legal writing and oral argument.
Ms. Foster’s professional journey is underpinned by a solid academic foundation. She earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (now UC Law San Francisco) in 1983, and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in History from UCLA. Her academic achievements, coupled with her extensive legal experience, have played a pivotal role in her career success, providing her with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to excel in the competitive world of legal recruitment.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ms. Foster is committed to giving back to the community through support and donations to Doctors Without Borders and various women’s organizations. Her philanthropic efforts are complemented by accolades, such as being named Top Global Recruiter, a testament to her tenacity, dedication and excellence.
Ms. Foster has been married since 1988 and is a devoted parent to three children. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring culinary delights through cooking, and reading books across various genres. Looking ahead, Ms. Foster aims to continue to provide expert advice to candidates and clients while also planning a well-deserved vacation that will allow her to recharge and reflect on her many accomplishments.