With a BA Hons in Law with Criminology from Sheffield Hallam University, Joel began his career in recruitment through a graduate scheme, drawn by its people-centric nature and the chance to develop business development skills. Joining Distinct at its inception, Joel was enticed by the opportunity to contribute to a start up with ambitious growth plans led by industry leaders James Calder and Arran Jaiswal.
Initially specializing in recruitment for corporate procurement and supply chain roles for global enterprises, Joel’s shift to Distinct’s US legal recruitment team was fueled by a deep-seated interest in the dynamic legal sector – a fast-paced industry where he found his true calling.
Joel’s expertise lies in uncovering elusive talent, a skill finely tuned over a decade of recruitment experience. Today, he lends his support to associates, attorneys and partners navigating their career transitions across Washington DC.
Joel’s recruitment philosophy is best characterized as a mix of attentive listening and constructive challenge, reflecting his expertise in discerning the fundamental needs of both firms and attorneys, to facilitate the ideal matches. Emphasizing honest and transparent communication, Joel rejects sending resumes en masse to law firms, instead ensuring strategic discussions with candidates before any introductions to a firm.
Acknowledging the intricacies of hiring attorneys, Joel is committed to simplifying the process for both parties. Beyond mere placements, he supports firms with insights into effective hiring strategies, encompassing market analysis, mapping and outreach, enabling informed decisions.
With over a decade of recruiting experience, Joel brings negotiation prowess to the table. His comprehensive approach, proactively addressing concerns, lays the foundation for seamless final negotiations, benefiting both attorneys and firms.
Joel’s dedication to recruitment excellence is evident in his commitment to creating a seamless and stress-free process for both candidates and firms. Recognizing the challenges that come with changing and expanding firms, Joel employs a thorough strategy and process to ensure a smooth experience for all parties.
One notable success involved supporting a partner, with over 20 years experience at a mid-sized company, to make the move to a boutique firm, focusing on a specific area of practice. Through meticulous market mapping, Joel presented five ‘good-fit’ firms, securing an offer within just three weeks.
Beyond the professional realm, Joel’s passions reflect an appreciation for the great outdoors. With a keen eye on spending more time discovering the beauty of the states, Yosemite holds a special place on his list of future destinations. A keen soccer fan, Joel proudly supports Notts County and you might even recognize his team from the popular show ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.
