10 Jun Why Marsden? Gillian Morgan
Her career began in the lecture halls of the University of Glasgow. She enjoyed the study and intellectual process of law, and, after shadowing her uncle, a judge, after completing her law degree she decided to train and practise in criminal law. “I really enjoyed it,” she said, “but in Scotland, the career path to becoming a senior advocate (barrister) can take up to ten years. I wasn’t sure I wanted to wait that long.”
Enter the world of legal recruitment – a career she hadn’t previously considered, but which was suggested to her by a recruiter. The proposition was appealing – a faster track to progression, more control over her professional life, and the opportunity to stay closely connected to the legal community. “I love dealing with lawyers – they’re intelligent, driven, and always interesting to talk to. And I wanted a career where I could work independently but still be part of a team.”
Her journey took her from Glasgow to London, where she joined an international legal recruitment firm. She spent five years there, starting just before the pandemic, and discovered that the remote work era actually opened new doors. “People had more time and were open to speaking – it made relationship-building easier in some ways.”
Gillian had always been curious about the US legal market, drawn by its variety and scale compared to the UK’s mainly London-centric focus. With her brother already living in New York, the idea became more tangible. “The US just felt like the next big challenge.”
The opportunity came from a familiar name: Marsden, where she already knew several team members through working for the same major law firm clients. “Just a few weeks into my career, I’d met Michelle Mills at a law firm briefing, and I’d also regularly come across Alex Russell, so when a rec-to-rec reached out to me about the new offices being launched in New York and Los Angeles, I already knew Marsden’s reputation and some of the people.”
Rather than moving immediately to New York, she chose to embed herself first in Marsden London – our largest office. “It was important for me to get to know the culture, the team, and the way Marsden operates. There’s a strong emphasis on collaboration – Marsden recruits team players, which makes a massive difference in a relationship-driven industry.”
Marsden’s support has been a constant. “From the logistics―like sponsoring my work visa, getting bank accounts set up, finding a place to live―to career mentoring and client introductions, everyone is so accessible and helpful. I can ask anyone anything.” Marsden US co-head David Nicol, who moved from Glasgow to Sydney to Los Angeles with Marsden, was especially helpful in sharing his own experiences about adapting to life in the US.
When Gillian made the move to New York after six months at Marsden in London, she was struck by just how different the professional culture was. “The city is intense. Everyone has come here to succeed, and there’s this shared drive.” She thrives on the energy, ambition, and diversity around her. “Everyone moves here with a purpose. There’s a sense of solidarity – people want to succeed, and they want you to succeed too. I love that.”
New York lawyers, she observes, are a bit more transactional. “In the US you often have to have someone at interview stage before you can build a meaningful relationship with them. In London, people were more open to a chat even if they were not actively looking to move.” “When you get to that stage however, I find New York lawyers are generally more accessible to meet in person. The city never sleeps and a lot of city professionals live right here in Manhattan where we work, so generally people are have more time to catch up.”
Gillian currently focuses on associate and counsel moves and regularly speaks with lawyers from London, Australia, Canada, and Singapore who are considering a move to the US. Marsden has offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston, but as she notes, “There’s huge potential in the US beyond those locations – we’re working in Boston, Washington DC, Chicago…I’m really excited about continuing to help to grow our presence in the US.”