“Have you ever felt like you didn’t have someone in your corner in the legal market? If you feel like you can’t navigate or negotiate another opportunity because your current firm “knows everyone” or you feel Pidgeon-holed, Karen provides the solution. She listens to your goals and genuinely cares about where you land. This results in a favorable placement for the attorney and the law firm. They really don’t make recruiters like Karen anymore. I’ve worked with other recruiters before, and all others have disappointed within the first few conversations. They either didn’t understand my business or what I am looking for, but that doesn’t happen with Karen.”

“I cannot say enough about the great experience I had with Karen Kissinger and Kissinger Legal Search. Karen is incredibly resourceful and professional and her expertise in taking care of every step of the job search process was impressive and ultimately resulted in my being offered and accepting my "first choice" position. Karen was able to give me interview advice throughout my search and insight into each law firm I visited. Her encouragement was invaluable and I would recommend her to anyone looking for a new position.”

“I sincerely believe that Karen Kissinger is, by far, the best legal recruiter out there. She just found me the perfect job with (for me) the perfect law firm. She is part counselor, part best friend, and a 100% legal recruiter. She wants to truly get to know you. First, because she genuinely cares, and, secondly, so that she can help you find the right place, not simply someplace. She does not try to cram square pegs into round holes. She does not believe in that. Instead, Karen truly believes in finding "matches." She listens. She listens to you; she listens to the potential employer. She truly gets it. She did it for me and she can do it for you.”

“I met Karen Kissinger after the legal market had crashed and showed no quick signs of recovery. There are many legal recruiters in the market. For some of them, their involvement begins and ends with submitting your resumes to unknown firms and then placing your name on their database. The better ones play an active role in assisting you in career advancement. Karen is the latter. Karen did not stop at reviewing my resume. She reviewed my history, qualifications, and career goals, and utilized them in creating a search strategy designed to assist me in finding a path forward, not just in finding a wall to hang my court admissions. I was thoroughly impressed by Karen’s knowledge of the market, contacts within the field, and the amount of time she devoted in assisting me to find a position that I intend to be at for a long time. She helped me think outside the box and assisted me in examining opportunities that I would not have found without her. We all understand that this is a business and that at the end of the day, it is up to the candidate to land the job. But, the degree of professionalism, attention to detail, market knowledge, and concern for my long-term well-being really set Karen apart for me. She added genuine value to my job search, and I wholeheartedly recommend her.”

“If you are thinking of changing your legal employment DO NOT hesitate to rely on Karen to help you navigate your future. She is extremely knowledgeable and has connections you can never imagine! She makes magic happen! Integrity matters and she exemplifies it.”

“If you are looking to take the next best step in your legal career, look no further than Karen Kissinger. Karen has vast experience in recruiting, extensive connections in the California legal market, and has a one-of-a-kind holistic approach to placing candidates at law firms that fit the individual. Unlike many legal recruiters out there, Karen actually cares about your happiness and well-being, listens to what you want, anticipates what you need, and works tirelessly to find a mutually beneficial fit. Karen knows what a big step it is for one to make a career move and she treats it as such, all while being dedicated, responsive, helpful, and kind. You will ultimately find yourself delighted at the new opportunity that awaits you but sad to no longer work with Karen on a daily basis. She is a top-notch legal recruiter and a world class person and friend. I will continue to recommend her to anyone looking for a new opportunity.”

“I could not have been happier working with Karen Kissinger. As a mid-level associate considering a lateral move, I was looking for a corporate position that was the perfect fit for me. I was not interested in jumping at the first opportunity that presented itself, rather I wanted to take the time to get to know the various lawyers at each firm at which I interviewed because I knew that the lawyers I would be working with are key to professional happiness. Karen Kissinger understood that immediately. She really took the time to understand my interests and needs, she never pressured me or made me feel that I was not moving fast enough. Karen took initiative and was always responsive; her assistance, enthusiasm, and positive attitude were invaluable during the entire process.”

“Karen is unlike any other recruiter out there, in the best way possible. Not only does she know everyone and everything about the California legal market, with personal connections in basically every major firm from LA to San Francisco (since she placed a lot of the partners who are now doing the hiring, a testament to her exceptional work), she truly tailors your search to find the best firm for you and your career and life goals. My wife and I were moving from Los Angeles back to Orange County to be closer to family, Karen tailored the search perfectly to find a firm that checked all the boxes, both in my career goals and to fit with my family life. She is dedicated, responsive, understanding, and willing to put in the time to place you in the right, long-term position. “

“After practicing for 15 years, I realized I had shifted my career down a different path than I had mapped out, and I was not happy with the direction it was headed. I wanted to maneuver back to the practice I had enjoyed earlier in my career. I spent months looking around and speaking to other recruiters, and always found myself with opportunities in the same area I was trying to leave. Finally I was introduced to Karen through a mutual friend. I spoke with her for about my personal and career background, where I wanted to go with my career, and what I had to offer my prospective firm. Within that hour-long conversation, she knew exactly where I would be a good fit and made the necessary introductions. Long story short, less than a month later she not only got me into the practice area I was hoping to return to, but it was with a firm that was a perfect fit in so many different ways. Karen has fantastic insight to people’s needs, and knows how to meet them. I wouldn’t be here without her.”

Desc“I have the best experience with Karen. It was a tough decision to leave my old law firm as I had been there for a few years, but ultimately, I knew that I needed to make the move for my career and personal goals. Karen was the most supportive recruiter, and friend, and person during this process! She worked tirelessly to find me a good fit, and ultimately, we found not a good fit, but a GREAT fit! I’m very lucky to have found Karen for this process as it was my first big career move. Karen responds at all hours of the day and is just so helpful in all ways throughout the process. She is an advocate for her recruits and I couldn’t be happier with my new opportunity. I will be recommending all of my colleagues to her in the future. She is professional, and kind, and has been doing this for so long and that really shows!! Thank you so much, Karen.”

“Karen is unmatched by any legal recruiter in the business. She not only knows the pulse of the legal market, but she’s passionate about what she does and truly cares about the attorneys she works with. Karen exceeded all my expectations and went above and beyond to set me up for success. She perfected my resume, advised me on which writing sample would be the best to submit, and prepared me for my interviews. Karen was always available to answer questions, day or night. She was attentive and encouraging. When it came down to making my decision, she never pressured me. Instead, she educated me on the firms so I could make the best informed decision. Karen was always genuine and I knew I could trust her because finding a firm that was a good fit for me was her top priority. Within a month, I had my dream job! As a lawyer, I advocate for my clients and Karen does the same! She’s the best legal recruiter out there.”

“In 2022, Karen helped me secure a full-time position after I had nearly given up working with recruiters.The gist of Karen’s MO is basic, but essential: believe. Her frank, sincere, and consistently positive approach is a breath of fresh air in a world of fast pace and ephemeral impression. From day one, Karen genuinely listened to my needs. She heeded my concerns, rather than passively churning through them on the way to collect another commission. Karen never tried to tell me I was wrong or that I was being unrealistic. Like any top recruiter, she can provide plenty of (useful) feedback, but Karen will never attempt to overstep boundaries. What she will definitely do, without fail, is stop and make you laugh—which is always welcome considering how stressful it is trying to secure the right job in this touch and go market. Karen is also someone who is objectively knowledgable about the California legal landscape. She has cultivated a myriad supply of employer relationships over the past 30+ years; through which, Karen has garnered unwavering trust and built a reputation that allows her to seamlessly (if not subconsciously) guide applicants through a dizzying maze of opportunities—filtering down to compelling matches that produce satisfying long-term results. At her core, Karen is a true believer, and this belief, combined with her savvy, custom-fit approach, is ideal for candidates seeking to maximize their growth trajectories.”

“Karen is the only recruiter I will refer my friends to. When I was considering a move from my previous firm, I felt strongly that I could only consider offices with positive cultures, and had a very specific area within corporate that I was targeting. Karen distinguished herself from other recruiters in that she not only listened to what I asked for, but she took immediate ownership of my “case.” What’s more, you’ll find her approach to presenting potential openings is different from other recruiters in that it’s more efficient and comprehensive. Karen was knowledgeable, highly responsive, and a complete joy to work with. I was shocked at what a pleasant experience Karen made of me finding what I now consider my “forever home.” More importantly, the firm Karen placed me with has exceeded all of my expectations. I am excited to come to work every morning, and I know I would not have found my way here if it weren’t for Karen. It’s so clear to me that this job is Karen’s passion, and I feel so lucky to have partnered with her. Thank you.”

“I was unhappy in my practice as a corporate associate and tried to get multiple recruiters to help me transition into litigation, which is what I felt I should have been doing from the start. Every recruiter told me that making that transition was impossible and that I would be better off just looking for a new corporate job at another big firm. After months of hearing the same line from nearly ten different recruiters, I lost all hope and resigned myself to searching for another corporate opportunity. Then one day Karen called me and I told her the same story that I’d told all of the other recruiters, only to be surprised by her willingness to help me. While she did caution me that it wouldn’t be easy, she later proved herself wrong and exceeded all of my expectations. I told her my three personal career goals: (1) transitioning into litigation; (2) transitioning into a mid-sized firm; and (3) moving to LA. I would have been thrilled with a transition into litigation and any one of my other two goals, but she managed to help me meet all three goals in less than two month’s time! I could not have been happier with the fruits of her efforts, and she achieved this amazing result far faster than I hoped for. She made me feel like I was her only client while getting me the best result I could have imagined. I feel reinvigorated and full of optimism and primarily have Karen to thank for it. I have since recommended her services to other friends in similar circumstances and am confident in her abilities to help them as she helped me.”

“Karen goes above and beyond just submitting your resume to law firms and coordinating interviews. She takes the time to get to know you personally and uses her extensive experience in the industry to find the perfect fit for you. As someone switching markets, working with a recruiter like Karen was invaluable to navigating the process and landing my dream job. I can’t stress enough what a benefit it is to have Karen in your corner.”

“Karen is truly one of a kind! She has a strong grasp of the legal market, is passionate about what she does, and is extremely responsive (e.g., she would answer my texts at any time of the day). Karen wholeheartedly cared about finding me a firm that was a good fit with my career goals and personality, which she successfully did, and for that I am forever grateful. It was an absolute delight working with Karen and I can’t recommend her enough.”

“Karen Kissinger is an exceptionally talented legal recruiter. I truly appreciate the time and effort that she invested to thoroughly understand my background, goals and concerns. Karen has the keen ability to listen to recruits, analyze the available opportunities, and identify the perfect match. If you want a passionate, dedicated, and experienced recruiter, contact Karen.”

“Karen sincerely looked out for me throughout the whole job search process. She worked tirelessly for me and was always on the lookout for the latest job openings. The process can be frustrating, but I felt that Karen was a solid ally and friend who always kept her eyes on the prize - getting me the position that I desired. I rarely, if ever, had to follow up with her on anything, and that is a quality that is hard to come by. Pleased is a word that does not do enough justice to describe how hard she worked for me and how much I appreciated her constant support.”

“I thought that the process to lateral to another firm would be time-intensive and difficult and may not even yield great results. Karen made everything so easy and enabled me to lateral to a firm and practice group with which I am quite happy. She quickly understood my concerns and preferences, was efficient throughout the process, and was a great sounding board as I was making my decisions. I feel very fortunate to have worked with Karen Kissinger. ”

“Karen is an amazing recruiter. I met her in midst of the worst recession in decades and she worked miracles. Not only did she find me a great position at a boutique firm, but she was also friendly, communicative and hard-working in the process. She is with you from start to finish. From that first revision of your resume to negotiating salary. I wholeheartedly recommend her (and often do to my attorney friends), as there is no better person to assist you with a career transition.”

“I could not have asked for a better recruiter. Karen is not only a true professional who has her finger on the pulse of the legal industry, but her supportive, warm personality was an incredible asset in helping make the stressful process of finding a new position more manageable. Karen not only helped me find a firm that is an ideal fit both in terms of culture and practice area, but she was able to assist me in relocating from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. Karen was always available and incredibly responsive to my questions and concerns and even helped me find a moving company to assist with my relocation; she goes above and beyond for her clients. Thank you for everything, Karen.”

“Karen is the ideal recruiter. From the first time I spoke with her, Karen demonstrated a focus on the quality of opportunities she presented, and, instead of inundating me with opportunities, approached my search with precision. Karen took the time to truly understand what I do and what I am interested in doing and found the needle-in-a-haystack opportunity for me. She was always accessible to answer questions, give advice, or bounce ideas off. I am so happy with the turn my career has taken and grateful to Karen for her help. I couldn’t recommend her more highly.”

“Karen is absolutely great to work with. From the first time I spoke with her, I could tell she was excited and very passionate about finding me a perfect fit. After I explained why I was leaving my current position and what I was looking for in my next opportunity, she told me that she had the perfect firm in mind, and she was able to schedule me for an interview within a week; I ultimately ended up with that same firm. Karen also helped me through the interview process, as well as making the transition from one firm to the next. I would absolutely recommend Karen to anyone in search of a new professional opportunity.”

“Karen is more than just a recruiter. Karen provided the positivity, motivation, and boost that I needed to move forward in my career. She listened to my concerns and goals, and before I knew it, I had a job offer with a firm that aligned with my interests and lifestyle. She knows the legal industry, takes initiative and genuinely cares about placing her candidates in firms that fit. I am truly grateful to have Karen on my team.”

“Karen is an absolute pleasure to work with. She knows the legal market, she knows your skill set, and will find the right position that suits you. I worked with other recruiters who called me throughout the years, but Karen is the one who will actually tailor the opportunity to your needs. Karen is an excellent recruiter, and I’ve already passed her information along to several other contacts. I give her my highest recommendation”

“As a first-year associate, the idea of making a lateral move was daunting. Not only did Karen get me into my top choice firm, but she also guided me through the entire process from start to finish. She is a classy lady with a rare combination of heart of gold and the business acumen to get the deal done. She helped me get my dream job when they weren’t even looking for junior associates, let alone a first-year. I can’t sing her praises enough.”

“I could not be happier with Karen’s services. She quickly understood the type of law firm I was looking for and presented several different options for me to consider. Her advice as to each firm’s pros and cons was spot-on correct and she was honest about the opportunities each presented to me. Not only that, it was clear to me that Karen actually cared that I chose the best possible law firm for me, even if that meant less commission for her. I would highly recommend Karen to any person seeking to obtain a new position.”

“Karen sincerely looked out for me throughout the whole job search process. She worked tirelessly for me and was always on the lookout for the latest job openings. The process can be frustrating, but I felt that Karen was a solid ally and friend who always kept her eyes on the prize - getting me the position that I desired. I rarely, if ever, had to follow up with her on anything, and that is a quality that is hard to come by. Pleased is a word that does not do enough justice to describe how hard she worked for me and how much I appreciated her constant support.”

“The first time Karen contacted me, I was not interested in changing firms. I was comfortable at my then-current firm, and I was a new mom. I am so thankful she reached out again a few months later. Karen provided me with the information and opportunity I needed to progress in my career and to do what’s best for my growing family. She zealously advocates for her recruiting candidates. She is energetic, responsive, and knowledgeable. Karen gets the job done, not by selling you anything, but by getting your questions answered so that you can determine what’s right for you.”

“Karen found me a dream job. She listened to my needs and what it would take to get the most out of any potential new job and she found it for me. Her advice during the whole (long) hiring process was invaluable. I know that without her I would never have found a position that was such a good fit for me. Karen is the best I’ve ever worked with.”

“Karen went above and beyond. She was extremely responsive, often returning calls late into the evening and on weekends. She cared deeply about matching me with a firm that would fit my goals and never tried to push me into a particular direction. She was genuinely committed to helping me. I highly recommend her”

“Karen is the most respective, responsive and responsible recruiter I have ever met. With her years of experience and connections, she is well regarded in the industry among law firms. Her diligence, patience and communication skills enables her to find exceptional talent for exceptional law firms. I have highly recommended her to my friends and would regard her as the best in her industry.”

“Karen, thanks for making what could have been a stressful and anxiety-ridden transition into a smooth move. I appreciate that you were responsive and kept me informed every step of the way. Your insight into the personality of the firm was accurate and I am very pleased with how things turned out. Thanks again. ”

“Karen quickly found me an ideal job that was exactly what I was looking for”