Podcast appearances and mentions of valerie fontaine

137.Letting Go of Expectations: Finding Freedom and Fulfillment in the Legal Profession138. The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for LawyersGary addresses lawyers facing professional challenges in this episode of "The Free Lawyer"podcast. He discusses the impact of expectations on happiness and how they can hinder success.Gary identifies three types of expectations and emphasizes the importance of controlling our ownexpectations. He highlights problem areas for lawyers where expectations can cause additionalstress. Gary shares his experience and advice on dealing with closed doors and unmetexpectations, encouraging listeners to appreciatetheir blessings and seek support. He providestools for self-reflection and concludes by emphasizing the importance of letting go ofexpectations for personal freedom.Gary introduces Valerie Fontaine, a highly knowledgeable legal search consultant in this podcastepisode. Valerie shares her professional journey and how she found her passion for helpinglawyers and law firms find the right fit. She emphasizes the importance of understanding clients'and candidates' needs and values to make successful placements. Valerie also provides advice onselling oneself effectively during the job search process and highlights the role of recruiters inpreparing candidates for interviews. She discusses how law firms can differentiate themselves toattract top talent and shares insights on hiring trends in the legal industry. Valerie findsfulfillment in her work by positively impacting people's lives.Valerie Fontaine has assisted thousands of lawyers with career transitions over the past fourdecades as a legal search consultant (headhunter for lawyers). She coaches attorney candidatesregarding career development and assists law firms with attractingand retaining top attorneytalent. Valerie is a former lawyer, a published author, both in print and online, and has been aguest speaker on several podcasts and presenting before live audiences. Her book, “The RightMoves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers,” published by NALP(National Association of Law Placement), now is in its second edition.Valerie practiced law with a prominent Los Angeles law firm and entered the legal searchprofession in 1981.In 2021, 2022 and 2023, she was named to the Fifth Annual LawdragonGlobal 100 Leaders in Legal Strategy & Consulting. She was one of three legal recruiters in theU.S. elected to its inaugural Hall of Fame, a “recognition for those consultants whose strategicinsight has been unsurpassed in a career dedicated to helping law firms ascend.”

Gary introduces Valerie Fontaine, a highly knowledgeable legal search consultant in this podcast episode. Valerie shares her professional journey and how she found her passion for helping lawyers and law firms find the right fit. She emphasizes the importance of understanding clients' and candidates' needs and values to make successful placements. Valerie also provides advice on selling oneself effectively during the job search process and highlights the role of recruiters in preparing candidates for interviews. She discusses how law firms can differentiate themselves to attract top talent and shares insights on hiring trends in the legal industry. Valerie finds fulfillment in her work by positively impacting people's lives. Valerie Fontaine has assisted thousands of lawyers with career transitions over the past four decades as a legal search consultant (headhunter for lawyers). She coaches attorney candidates regarding career development and assists law firms with attracting and retaining top attorney talent. Valerie is a former lawyer, a published author, both in print and online, and has been a guest speaker on several podcasts and presenting before live audiences. Her book, “The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers,” published by NALP (National Association of Law Placement), now is in its second edition.   Valerie practiced law with a prominent Los Angeles law firm and entered the legal search profession in 1981. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, she was named to the Fifth Annual Lawdragon Global 100 Leaders in Legal Strategy & Consulting. She was one of three legal recruiters in the U.S. elected to its inaugural Hall of Fame, a “recognition for those consultants whose strategic insight has been unsurpassed in a career dedicated to helping law firms ascend.”  

What you’ll learn in this episode: How SeltzerFontaine goes beyond attorney placement to consult on business strategy such as career development and billing rates. How law firms of all sizes are incorporating diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices. Why mental health diagnoses are becoming a growing part of the diversity conversation. What steps smaller firms can take to become more competitive in the diversity and inclusion arenas. How metrics are showing that firms should look beyond a candidate’s law school and grades when making a hire. About Valerie Fontaine: Valerie Fontaine is a founding partner of SeltzerFontaine, a legal search firm based in Los Angeles. She places attorneys with law firms, corporate law departments, governmental entities and nonprofits as well as consults on career and practice development and law firm office management and expansion. Prior to SeltzerFontaine, Valerie practiced law with a prominent Los Angeles firm and entered the legal search profession in 1981. Valerie is a frequent speaker on topics related to attorney job search, partner recruitment and placement and career development, and has published numerous articles in the national legal press. She is the author of “The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers,” now is in its second edition. Valerie is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC) and serves on its Ethics Committee. For many years, Valerie served on the Board of Governors and the Advisory Council of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA). She was UC Hastings’ 2002 Alumnus of the Year, past president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the UC Hastings Alumni Association, honored as the 1998 L.A. Alumnus of the Year, the first woman president of the UC Hastings Foundation and was a longtime member of its Board of Trustees. UC Hastings’ Clara Foltz Feminist Association honored Valerie with its Role Model Award. Additional resources: Website Valerie’s Website Bio Valerie’s LinkedIn Twitter

Practice areas like cannabis law, M&A and real estate law are currently hot, but the good times never last forever, says legal recruiting consultant Valerie Fontaine of SeltzerFontaine. In this episode of Asked and Answered, she speaks with the ABA Journal's Stephanie Francis Ward about potential slowdowns and how lawyers can be thinking ahead to recession-proof their practices. Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.

Practice areas like cannabis law, M&A and real estate law are currently hot, but the good times never last forever, says legal recruiting consultant Valerie Fontaine of SeltzerFontaine. In this episode of Asked and Answered, she speaks with the ABA Journal's Stephanie Francis Ward about potential slowdowns and how lawyers can be thinking ahead to recession-proof their practices. Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.

Newly minted law grads will soon be entering the job market, but where are they most likely to find employment? In this episode of Asked and Answered, the ABA Journal's Stephanie Francis Ward speaks with Valerie Fontaine, founding partner of the legal search firm SeltzerFontaine, about which in-demand areas of law have open job positions–and how law grads can secure them.

Newly minted law grads will soon be entering the job market, but where are they most likely to find employment? In this episode of Asked and Answered, the ABA Journal's Stephanie Francis Ward speaks with Valerie Fontaine, founding partner of the legal search firm SeltzerFontaine, about which in-demand areas of law have open job positions–and how law grads can secure them.

The market for legal jobs may be getting better, but it’s still not great. That being said, are there specific practice areas that need more attorneys to serve current and future needs? In this month's episode of Asked and Answered, the ABA Journal's Stephanie Francis Ward speaks with legal search consultant Valerie Fontaine to find out what the best prospects are for a long-term, successful legal career.