Mark Herrmann, blogging on the Above the Law website, has recently expressed his dismay at being told by a legal recruiter friend that he is not hot property on the job market, despite the fact that he is currently vice president and chief counsel (litigation) at risk management giant Aon.
‘The guy had my attention,’ writes Mr Herrmann.
‘First, I’m no longer a hot commodity; somehow, that annoyed me, even though I’m not looking to sell myself these days. Second, law firms are stupid about lateral hiring; this was a blog post waiting to happen.’
Although he protested that he has many leads because of his job and stature, Mr Hermann’s pal said: ‘There’s a chasm between having a lead and landing a major case.
Your little bit of fame is just a bunch of leads. No one would believe that’s worth a penny, because no one would assume that you could turn those leads into business.
Mr Herrmann quickly reached the opinion that law firms must be stupid.
‘Law firms hire rainmakers, without thinking whether the rainmaker will be effective in a new home,’ the head-hunter continued. ‘I know one guy who had a $20 million book of business at his original firm. He moved to a new firm and never brought in another dollar.’
Mr Herrmann, relieved, concluded that his buddy had exposed the truth. ‘Any bunch of people who would no longer want me are obviously fools,’ he closes.
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