Corporate / M&A
Transactional practices spanning mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and commercial agreements.
Independent legal recruiting
Connecting
legal talent.
Building stronger
law firms.
The right fit goes beyond a résumé. We connect attorneys, practice groups, and law firms through personal relationships and a thoughtful approach to what comes next.
Discreet conversations. Thoughtful introductions.
A broader perspective.
A more personal approach.
Opportunity, thoughtfully connected
Our practice area focus
Corporate / M&ACommercial litigationEmploymentIPTrust & Estates
A thoughtful place to start
What does your
next chapter look like?
Whether you’re considering a move or building your firm, start with what matters to you.
What are you considering?
Our expertise
Specialized search.
Strategic growth.
Legal recruiting shaped around the people, practices, and business goals behind every introduction.
Find the right conversationM2
Relationships first.
Fit always.
01Lateral Partner RecruitingThe right platform. The right practice.
We connect established attorneys with firms that complement their practices, client relationships, and ambitions. Conversations explore compensation structures, practice support, autonomy, culture, and long-term opportunity.
02Practice Group TransitionsA coordinated approach to a collective move.
For partners and teams considering a move together, we help identify compatible platforms and clarify shared priorities. We focus on practice fit, team structure, support, and the conversations needed for a considered transition.
03Boutique Firm TransitionsExplore the next stage for your firm.
We facilitate selective introductions for boutique firm owners exploring a larger platform, a combination, or a new direction. The starting point is understanding what you want to preserve and what you want to build.
04US and International Firm GrowthGlobal perspective. Local alignment.
For domestic and internationally headquartered firms entering or expanding in the U.S., we support targeted recruiting of partners, practice leaders, and teams aligned with the firm’s market strategy.
Our practice area focus
Focused expertise.
Meaningful connections.
Connecting attorneys and law firms across five core practice areas, with attention to each practice’s priorities and potential.
Commercial Litigation
Business disputes and commercial trial practices, from complex contract matters to broader litigation capabilities.
Employment
Workplace advisory and litigation practices, from day-to-day counseling to complex employment disputes.
Intellectual Property
Patent, trademark, licensing, and IP litigation practices that protect innovation and support business growth.
Trust & Estates
Estate planning, trust and estate administration, and fiduciary litigation.
For attorneys & firm owners
Your practice.
Your priorities.
Your next move.
You don’t have to be ready to leave to understand your options. We start by listening to what’s working, what’s missing, and what the right platform could make possible.
- Clarify the support and structure your practice needs
- Consider fit across culture, economics, and autonomy
- Agree on the firms to approach before introductions
For law firms
Build the practice.
Strengthen the firm.
Grow with intention.
The strongest lateral hire advances a strategy. We take time to understand your firm’s priorities, platform, and culture before making a targeted introduction.
- Define the partners and practices that fit your strategy
- Evaluate alignment beyond a portable book of business
- Coordinate a clear, considered recruiting process
The M2 approach
Personal at every step.
Purposeful in every introduction.
A good match starts with understanding the whole picture. Our process keeps that understanding at the center.
Listen first.
We explore your priorities, your practice, and your definition of a successful next step.
Align thoughtfully.
We consider the professional, commercial, and cultural factors that make an introduction worthwhile.
Move with intention.
We coordinate agreed introductions and keep communication personal as conversations progress.
About M2 Global Recruiting
Independent by design.
Personal by choice.
M2 Global Recruiting is Melanie Strauss’s independent recruiting business, bringing a relationship-led approach to connecting attorneys and law firms.
Our focus is legal talent: established attorneys, practice groups, and boutique firm owners considering what comes next, and firms seeking people who fit their direction. An international business background brings a broader perspective to each conversation.
Over the years, Melanie has built an extensive network of boutique law firms, partners, and attorneys through direct conversations and lasting relationships. That network gives her firsthand insight into how firms operate, where they’re looking to grow, and what attorneys need from their next firm. Through her work in C-suite executive search, Melanie has extensive experience communicating directly with senior decision-makers at organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
The experience of working with M2
Personal attention.
In their words.
Selected excerpts from six testimonials about M2’s executive search work across industries. Each links to the complete story.
“Melanie Strauss, in particular, took the time to thoroughly understand our specific requirements and the competencies we needed in our candidates.”
IT Services & ConsultingRead complete testimonial
“Her professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine commitment to both candidates and employers set her apart.”
Industrial Machinery ManufacturingRead complete testimonial
“Her commitment to transparent and effective communication played a pivotal role in making the entire experience stress-free.”
Environmental ServicesRead complete testimonial
“She was supportive, attentive, and available, helping both me and her company client to gain holistic views so that we could confidently make our decisions by the end of the process.”
EdTechRead complete testimonial
“Working with Melanie Strauss demonstrated the professionalism & 1:1 attention of the team there. Excellent communication throughout the entire process.”
EdTechRead complete testimonial
“Professional and effective communications throughout the process. I would highly recommend working with her again.”
Renewable Energy Equipment ManufacturingRead complete testimonial
Independent legal recruiting for attorneys and law firms. We help with lateral partner moves, practice group hires, and boutique firm transitions.
Good questions.
Clear answers.
Do I need to be actively looking to speak with M2?
No. An initial conversation can help you clarify your priorities and understand what a different platform could offer. You decide whether and when to move forward.
Will my information be shared with firms?
We agree on potential introductions with you before approaching a firm on your behalf. Please keep client names, privileged information, and confidential documents out of your initial inquiry.
Do you work with boutique and international firms?
Yes. Our focus includes boutique firm transitions and partner or practice group recruiting for domestic and internationally headquartered firms growing in the U.S.
The next step starts here
Let’s talk about
what comes next.
A new platform. A stronger practice. A considered next move.
Start with a short introduction.