Legal Private Practice
We specialise in hires for elite US firms, as well as mid-tier and boutique practices. Covering hires from Associate to Partner level, we provide a service which is London centric but with a global reach. Our approach is content led and focused on specialist market insights to provide comprehensive value to candidates and clients. We are practice agnostic but focused on servicing the requirements of big law.
Our Private Practice division assists all firms across the London market, focusing on the elite US, Magic/Silver Circle, and International Firms with hires from Associate to Partner. Additionally, we support the European, American, Asian and UAE markets.
Seniority Levels:
Associate
Senior Associate
Managing Associate
Legal Director
Counsel
Partner
Contact Us
Matthew Simmons
Managing Director
Alistair Topping
Director, Legal Private Practice
Matthew Simmons
Managing Director
Matthew founded Simmons & Hanbury in 2018. He has advised on executive search and legal consultancy services for many global listed corporations over the last two decades. Prior to establishing Simmons & Hanbury, Matthew held various senior leadership positions, including head of legal practice and head of legal consulting practice at other global search firms. Over the course of his career he has developed an extensive network of cross-border candidates and clients within financial services.
Matthew has in-depth expertise within the financial services sector and has successfully completed search assignments for some of the most prestigious financial services firms in the world. This includes banks, investment funds, private equity houses and leading law firms. In addition, he has completed numerous assignments for corporations across a range of industries. He also leads several high-profile general counsel networking events.
Before moving into executive search, Matthew obtained a Master’s degree in Business Management & Marketing at the University of Westminster.
M | +44 7771 962 691
Market Insights
The Aspiring Solicitors Foundation: Removing Financial Barriers to the Legal Profession Evolution of the General Counsel role in 2021 and beyond A legal overview of the Private Equity marketPractice Areas
Legal Financial Services Legal Private Practice Legal Interim Solutions Compliance & Risk Corporate GovernanceLocation
Head Office
Alistair Topping
Director, Legal Private Practice
Alistair joined Simmons & Hanbury in 2023 to build the firms Private Practice division. He has experience placing lawyers at all levels across the London market, particularly amongst the elite US, Magic/Silver Circle, and international firms. He also has experience with boutique, mid-market, and west-end firms. Additionally, Alistair provides coverage of the US, UAE and Asian markets.
Alistair’s remit is practice and sector agnostic; however, the needs of US/International law firms has meant he has particular expertise in Corporate, Finance, Disputes and Funds related hires.
Prior to joining Simmons & Hanbury Alistair was a Director at legal search firm, a Senior Legal Advisor and studied Law in Bristol.
M | +44 7881 611 042