Global Elite Law Firm: Appointment of Chief Legal Officer

The Mandate

Marsden was appointed to lead the global search for a Chief Legal Officer for a Global Elite law firm. Our long-standing relationship with the client—spanning London, Europe, the Middle East, and the US—had been built over more than a decade through successful senior management placements within the firm and across its major client base.
This trusted partnership and our deep connectivity across both private practice and in-house legal markets led to Marsden being invited to participate in a competitive pitch for the appointment.

The Challenges

The firm sought to replace its outgoing Chief Legal Officer, a key member of its Business Services C-Suite. The ideal candidate needed extensive experience from within a Magic Circle or Global Elite firm, the gravitas to gain immediate credibility with partners, and exceptional judgement in managing legal, regulatory and risk matters.

The role required a leader with proven relationship-building skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and elevate a high-performing international legal team. A forward-thinking mindset and willingness to leverage new technologies, including generative AI, were also essential to drive operational efficiency.

The Process

The search was led by Karen Glass and Sarita Rai from Marsden’s in-house team, alongside Michelle Mills, our private practice client relationship lead. Drawing on our combined networks, the team quickly identified a targeted list of qualified candidates through our global legal search platform.

Our collaborative approach ensured transparency, timely communication, and market intelligence drawn from our research team. To support the client’s decision-making, Angela Floydd, our Lumina psychometric practitioner, provided detailed personality and leadership insights for the final candidates – ensuring not only technical and cultural alignment but also an effective long-term fit.

The Outcome

The successful candidate was appointed as Chief Legal Officer and joined the firm in 2025. Following completion, Marsden continued to support the General Counsel with a Lumina psychometric assessment to strengthen collaboration and set the foundation for the new CLO’s success.

What our clients and candidates think​