Our Legal Recruiters

Amanda C. Ellis, Esq.

Vice President of SearchDallas, Texas

Amanda Ellis is the Vice President of Search for Special Counsel. Amanda plans, designs and implements all direct hire training, development, integration and mentoring programs for all of Special Counsel. Prior to her current role, Amanda worked as an Attorney Search Director for Special Counsel. Additionally, Amanda also established her own search firm where she placed direct hire attorneys in law firms and corporate legal departments.

Prior to entering the legal recruiting field, Amanda practiced in the area of commercial bankruptcy law in Massachusetts and Texas. Amanda received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from Centenary College of Louisiana. Amanda obtained her J.D. degree from The University of Texas School of Law.

Bar Admissions

• Massachusetts Bar
• United States District Court, District of Massachusetts
• United States District Court, Northern District of Texas
• State Bar of Texas

Professional Memberships/Associations

• Texas Women Lawyers – Immediate Pas President
• Dallas Chi Omega Alumnae Association
• Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
• Dallas Bar Association

Publications

• Book: The 6Ps of the BIG 3 for Job-Seeking JDs (Something Different Publishing, 2010)
• Blog: The 6Ps of the BIG 3 – Using Social Networking to Get Hired
• E-Newsletter: Something Different
• Article: "Three Mobile Apps to Enrich Your LinkedIn Experience in 2012," (ACC North Florida Chapter 1st Quarter 2012 Newsletter)
• Article: "The Big Three: Using Social Networking Sites to Connect with Employers and Clients" (Texas Bar Journal – November 2010)
• Article: Co-author: "Keeping Your Nose Clean: Ethical & Legal Issues Confronting Lawyers Advising Clients on Asset Protection Issues" (Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, March 2002); "Minimize the Pain – Defending Against Preferential Transfers" (Spring 2002)
• Article: "9 Observations Regarding the Legal Job Market & 5 Strategies for New Attorneys Entering the 2009 Market—A 3 Part Series," Law School Expert Blog (January 2009)
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3

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Zain Atassi, Esq.

Attorney Search Director Chicago, Illinois

Zain Atassi is an Attorney Search Director for the Chicago office of Special Counsel. Zain currently focuses on placing top-level attorneys into full-time positions with law firms and corporations in the Chicago and surrounding markets. Prior to joining Special Counsel, Zain worked as a commercial litigator with boutique Chicago law firms, where she focused her practice on contract, healthcare, product liability, and business litigation matters.

Zain holds a Juris Doctor degree from Washington University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology (with honors) from Washington University in St. Louis. During her time at Washington University School of Law, Zain was a member of the Moot Court team and served as a summer judicial extern for the Supreme Court of New York.

Bar Admissions

• Illinois State Bar
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Professional Memberships/Associations

• Chicago Bar Association
• National Association of Legal Search Consultants
• Washington University Alumni Club of Chicago

Nichole Badger, Esq.

Attorney Search Director Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nichole Badger is the Attorney Search Director in the Philadelphia office of Special Counsel. In this role, Nichole recruits and places top-level attorneys at law firms and corporate legal departments throughout the Delaware Valley.

Prior to joining Special Counsel, Nichole practiced corporate law with one of New Jersey’s largest law firms for five years and then went on to found a boutique entertainment law practice. With an in-depth understanding of law firm management and the needs of corporate in-house legal departments, Nichole excels in positioning both attorneys and expanding legal groups for long-term success.

Nichole graduated with a dual degree, J.D./MBA, from Rutgers School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College.

Bar Admissions

• New Jersey State Bar
• Pennsylvania State Bar

Professional Memberships/Associations

• National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Pennsylvania Chapter, Board Member
• Barristers Association of Philadelphia

Marya Brancio, Esq.

Executive DirectorDenver, Colorado

Marya Brancio is the Executive Director in the Denver office of Special Counsel, placing paralegals and attorneys in the area’s law firms and corporations. Her nine-year legal career in Denver included positions as an associate at a securities firm, as an in-house counsel with a brokerage firm, and as Vice President and General Counsel for a public finance company. Marya has been a member of the Denver Special Counsel office since its inception in 1999.

Marya received her J.D. degree from the University of Denver College of Law and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor degree in Economics and Political Science from Moorhead State University in Minnesota. Marya continues to remain active in the Denver legal community as an alumna of the College of Law.

Bar Admissions

• Colorado State Bar

Professional Memberships/Associations

• Colorado Bar Association
• Denver Bar Association
• National Association of Legal Search Consultants

DeAnne Brooks

Legal Search DirectorMinneapolis, Minnesota

DeAnne Brooks is a Legal Search Director for the Minneapolis office of Special Counsel. In her role, DeAnne specializes in the direct hire placement of legal secretaries, paralegals and other support staff including accounting, litigation support and IT positions. DeAnne has a unique combination of practical, academic, and legal experience that makes her an excellent resource for clients and candidates of Special Counsel.

DeAnne has worked in the legal profession for over 20 years. She began her career as a legal secretary in the insurance industry. DeAnne obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Metropolitan State University in 2004. After completing her paralegal degree, DeAnne specialized in workers’ compensation litigation and insurance defense litigation. DeAnne also spent a year as the director of client relations before joining Special Counsel.

Professional Memberships/Associations

• Minnesota Paralegal Association
• Twin Cities Legal Employees’ Education Association
• Twin Cities NALS - the professional association for legal professionals -Past President
• Women in E-Discovery
• Minnesota Association of Legal Support Professionals (MALSP)

Katherine Clark

Attorney Search Director Michigan and Southern Ohio

Katherine "Katie" Clark is an Attorney Search Director in the Detroit office of Special Counsel. Katie has been with Special Counsel since 2007. Katie’s current work focuses on direct hire attorney placement within law firms and corporate legal departments across Michigan and the southern Ohio region. Prior to her work at Special Counsel, Katie was a staffing consultant for a global technology firm in both the legal, corporate affairs and finance departments. Katie previously worked in the legal staffing industry for two years, placing attorneys, paralegals and legal support personnel. Katie is a graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law. Immediately following law school, Katie returned to the classroom as adjunct faculty at Davenport University where she taught Intro to Law and Contracts, Legal Document Processing, and Legal Transcription courses to students pursuing both business and legal support staff careers. Additionally, Katie worked at a global automobile manufacturer for a number of years as part of the discovery team performing a large scale national legal document review. Katie also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, summa cum laude, in Finance from the University of Detroit Mercy.

Professional Memberships/Associations

• National Association of Legal Search Consultants

Nondas Davis, Esq.

Regional Search DirectorFlorida

Nondas Davis is a Regional Search Director for Special Counsel. In her role, Nondas directly supports Special Counsel’s Vice President of Search in the training, mentoring and developing of Attorney Search Directors across various markets, including Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and New York City. Nondas partners with the Executive Directors of Special Counsel’s branches to ensure their Attorney Search Directors are as successful as possible.

Nondas is a native Floridian and a graduate of Florida State University and Florida State College of Law. After graduation, she served as an Assistant State Attorney in Jacksonville, Florida. Nondas was an Attorney Search Director with Special Counsel for thirteen years. Nondas worked in the Charlotte market for a number of years, placing attorneys and paralegals into positions with law firms and corporations across North and South Carolina. In 2006, Nondas returned to South Florida and handled direct hire attorney placement for law firms and corporate legal departments all over the state of Florida.

Having lived in Jacksonville, South Florida, and Tampa, Nondas is familiar with the nuances of the various Florida markets. Nondas is also well versed in the staffing of attorney document review projects and contract attorneys throughout Central and North Florida. Nondas is a frequent speaker and author on topics such as corporate counsel compensation, resume and interview tips, and social media.

Articles

• Tips for Drafting a Winning In-House Lawyer Resume (ACC North Florida Chapter 3rd Quarter 2012 Newsletter)
• Managing Your Career As In-House Counsel CLE Event (ACC North Florida Chapter 3rd Quarter 2011 Newsletter)

Presentations

• "LinkedIn – A Multifaceted Tool," Raleigh Durham Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (November 2012)
• "What’s New – Compensation for In-House Counsel," Association of Corporate Counsel South Florida Chapter (November 2012)
• "What’s New – Compensation for In-House Counsel," Association of Corporate Counsel North Florida Chapter (September 2012)
• "What’s New – Compensation for In-House Counsel," Association of Corporate Counsel North Florida Chapter (September 2011)

Bar Admissions

• Florida State Bar

Professional Memberships/Associations

• Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce
• 85 Broads
• National Association of Legal Consultants
• Junior League of Boca Raton
• Saint Andrew’s School Friend of the Arts

Ellen B. Feldman, Esq.

Senior Attorney Search DirectorBaltimore, Maryland

Ellen Feldman is a Senior Attorney Search Director in the Baltimore office of Special Counsel. Ellen places attorneys and paralegals in direct hire positions in law firms and corporate legal departments across the Maryland area. Ellen is an honors graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law and an honors graduate of the University of Delaware. She clerked for The Honorable James F. Schneider, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, for one year prior to becoming an associate with the nationally renowned law firm in Baltimore. Ellen practiced law for eight years prior to joining Special Counsel in 1996.

Bar Admissions

• Maryland State Bar
• District of Columbia Bar

Awards/Recognition

• Volunteer Award for the South Baltimore Learning Center for Adult Literacy

Professional Memberships/Associations

• National Association of Legal Search Consultants

Publications

• University of Baltimore Law Review

Nicholas Grimm, Esq.

Attorney Search DirectorPittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Nicholas (Nick) Grimm is an Attorney Search Director for the Pittsburgh office of Special Counsel. Nick currently focuses on placing talented attorneys into full-time positions with law firms and corporations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Prior to joining Special Counsel, Nick worked primarily in the real estate industry. He started a successful real estate settlement company representing buyers and sellers in both commercial and residential real estate transactions. Nick also provided in-house counsel to a large leasing corporation, in addition to advising on contract formation, lease negotiation and collection matters.

Nick holds a Juris Doctor degree from Barry University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from Pennsylvania State University.

Bar Admissions

• Pennsylvania State Bar

Professional Memberships/Associations

• American Bar Association
• Allegheny County Bar Association
• National Association of Legal Search Consultants
• Pennsylvania State Alumni Association

Elizabeth Hamilton, Esq.

Attorney Search DirectorCleveland, Ohio

Elizabeth "Liz" Hamilton is an Attorney Search Director in the Cleveland office of Special Counsel. Liz focuses on placing attorneys into direct hire positions with corporations and law firms in northern and central Ohio.

Prior to joining Special Counsel, Liz worked for thirteen years in Ohio law firms, where she practiced in the areas of estate and trust law and estate taxation.

Liz received her JD from Wake Forest University School of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication from Marietta College, where she graduated summa cum laude.

Bar Admissions

• Connecticut Bar
• Ohio Bar

Professional Memberships/Associations

• National Association of Legal Search Consultants
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Jesse P. Hyde, Esq.

Attorney Search DirectorChicago, Illinois

Jesse P. Hyde is an Attorney Search Director in the Chicago office of Special Counsel. Jesse recruits and places top-level attorneys at law firms and corporate legal departments.

Jesse is responsible for placing attorneys in a broad range of practice areas, including corporate and securities, banking and finance, intellectual property, real estate, healthcare, labor and employment, tax, commercial litigation, trust and estates and many others.

Jesse received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. He obtained his J.D. degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law (Dean’s List). While in law school, Jesse was a member of the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal, the Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Team and a judicial extern for the Honorable Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of Illinois, 2006
• State Bar of Michigan, 2012
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2007

Professional Memberships/Associations

• Chicago Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division & Career Assistance Committee - Co-Chair
• National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC) - Member
• Board Member, University of Michigan Club of Greater Chicago

Published Articles

• Co-Author: "Multidistrict Litigation: Technical and Practical Considerations" (FDCC Quarterly, 2009)

Jennifer Kay, Esq.

Attorney Search DirectorNew York, New York

Jennifer Kay is an Attorney Search Director for the New York City office of Special Counsel. Jennifer places direct hire attorneys in law firms and corporate legal departments.

Originally from Bethesda, Maryland, Jennifer graduated from Tulane University and subsequently obtained her law degree from New York Law School. Jennifer is very involved with the Tulane Alumni board in New York City.

Bar Admissions

• New York Bar

Professional Memberships/Associations

• National Association of Legal Search Consultants
• New York State Bar Association
• New York County Lawyers’ Association
• Tulane Alumni of New York Board

Jaime Lawrence, Esq.

Paralegal Search DirectorNew York, New York

Jaime Lawrence is a Paralegal Search Director for the Special Counsel New York office. Jaime currently focuses on placing paralegals and other non-attorneys into full-time positions with law firms and corporations in New York City. Prior to joining Special Counsel, Jaime worked as a civil litigator, focusing on the representation of individual clients in various matters dealing with sexual harassment, discrimination, defamation, and medical malpractice.

Jaime holds a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Duquesne University, where she graduated cum laude. During her time at Cooley, Jaime received an honors scholarship.

Bar Admissions

• New York State Bar

Professional Memberships/Associations

• New York State Bar Association
• New York County Lawyers’ Association