A: Yes, my goal is to counsel people and help them make good, smart career decisions. For my law firm clients, my focus is to help them identify talent that they might have otherwise missed out on. Q: Can you tell us a bit about your formal education and background prior to (becoming an attorney)? A: I graduated from the University of Southern California with a dual degree in Political Science and Communications. Immediately thereafter, I enrolled in law school. I made the decision to attend law school in a different part of the country because I was born and raised in Southern California and always knew that I would settle here. So, I applied only to out-of-state law schools and eventually made the decision to enroll at Boston College. I loved living on the East Coast but was happy when it was time to return to sunny California! Q: Where did you practice law after graduating from law school?(or what did you do prior to becoming a legal recruiter) A: I always knew that I wanted to be a trial attorney but, during law school, the decision crystallized when I participated in a clinic at the D.A.'s office. Thus, when I graduated, I became a county prosecutor. Q: Why did you become a legal recruiter? A: About three years into my career, I had to relocate and the county I was moving to was in the middle of a hiring freeze. I loved practicing law so I decided to look for a position with a law firm. I joined a small firm but found that I really missed the trial work I'd enjoyed as a government attorney. At the same time, I realized that what I enjoyed most about working for the government was the human element—being involved in people's lives on a personal level. After consulting with colleagues, friends, and family, I decided to "open" myself up to something outside the law. A friend recommended that I consider recruiting. The more I looked into it, the more I knew I'd be happy doing this. I was definitely right. Q: Why did you choose BCG Attorney Search? A: What impressed me most about BCG Attorney Search is that the recruiters in this company treat recruiting with the same level of professionalism and dedication they brought to their legal practice. I didn't want to join a company where I simply felt like a "middleman" or where my responsibility basically boiled down to passing a resume along to a firm. This company takes great pride in getting to know its attorney-clients as well as its law firm clients and strives to make smart, strategic matches. Q: What makes your style of recruiting unique? A: I would have to say it is my appreciation of the difference between finding a job for someone and helping them make a smart career decision. I never encourage attorneys to make a career move simply for the sake of making a move. Instead, I encourage them to identify the objectives and priorities of their job search and to find the job that makes sense for their short and long-term career goals. Similarly, I respect the decisions made by the law firms because I believe that they know their culture best and are in the best position to identify who will succeed at the firm. I believe that in the end of the process, everyone ends up where they are meant to be and my role is to advise and facilitate—not to force results. Q: What advice would you give attorneys who are thinking about using a legal recruiter? A: Think about it as a major decision and go about it the same way you would go about choosing the other professionals you rely on in your life. When you choose a physician, you do research and seek recommendations. Same goes with a real estate agent, a dentist, etc. The list goes on and on. When you work with a legal recruiter, you are placing an awful lot of trust in that person to assist you as you take the next step in your legal career. What can be more important? So, choose wisely and carefully. Q: Ok, let's get to know you a bit more on a personal level. What's your favorite T.V. show? A: Hmmmm…I think I have a new favorite T.V. show every couple of weeks. Right now, it is a show on the Discovery Channel called "A Haunting." Q: Where did you grow up and where do you live now? A:. I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles and, I still live there now. My kids are going to go to all the same schools I attended! (even though I swore as a teenager that I couldn't wait to get out!) Q: What are your favorite drinks? A: Coffee. On a cold day, a steaming hot chai latte. On a warm day, an iced vanilla latte. Q: What are your favorite foods? A: Sushi. My husband doesn't like going so I've taught my 3-year old to love cucumber rolls just so I'll have a sushi buddy. Q: What is playing on your iPod right now? A: Honestly, I've lost control of my iPod to my kids so it's probably something from The Little Mermaid. But, in the rare moments when it's all about me—probably some Sarah McLaughlin or a band called 311. Q: What is the one thing your clients would not know about you? A: All of my nicknames—too many to count. I guess when you have a long name like Veronica, everyone tries to find a way to shorten your name. Currently, most people just call me "V". How lazy can you get? Q: Anything else interesting going on in your life? A: Between my husband and my kids, there is always something interesting going on in my life but, it's stuff that is probably only interesting to me! My little one just started walking and I had a glowing parent-teacher conference that made me feel like I must be doing something right. Also, I am taking tennis lessons for the first time in my life—that is interesting (to say the least). |
