Exceptional Legal Search for Exceptional Lawyers & Law Firms

Whether you're a high-performing attorney exploring your next move, or a law firm seeking outstanding legal talent, Ascent Counsel delivers discreet, strategic, and highly personalized search services built on trust and long-term relationships.

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OUR PHILOSOPHY

Legal Recruiting Built on Relationships

At Ascent Counsel, we believe every career move and every hiring decision deserves careful attention not volume recruiting.

Founded by a former Big Law lawyer and General Counsel, we provide strategic legal search services with complete confidentiality, thoughtful guidance, and exceptional market insight.

Every search is personal

Every conversation is confidential

Every placement is strategic

What We Do

Two Sides of the Same Discipline

For Lawyers

Career Strategy, Handled Discreetly

Helping accomplished attorneys navigate meaningful career opportunities.

For Law Firms

Elite Talent, Precisely Matched

Connecting elite legal talent with exceptional organizations.

The Difference Is in the Discipline

Why Ascent Counsel

Healthcare Transactions

Chicago

Commercial Real Estate

Chicago

M&A/PE

Chicago

International Trade

 Washington DC

Litigation

Boston, Chicago, Washington DC

The Difference Is in the Discipline

Why Ascent Counsel

Experienced

Real experience as a lawyer, partner, and three-time General Counsel.

Selective

We take on a limited number of searches to deliver exceptional results.

Discreet

Discretion and trust are at the center of everything we do.

Candidate First

Your goals, your values, your next move. We are your advocate.

Our Approach

A More Personal Search Experience

Legal recruiting should never feel transactional.

We invest time understanding your goals, culture, and long-term vision before introducing opportunities or candidates.

Our approach emphasizes trust, precision, and lasting professional relationships.

Meet the Founder

Former Big Law lawyer.
Former General Counsel.
Trusted advisor to attorneys and law firms nationwide.

Ascent Counsel combines legal experience with executive search expertise to help clients
make career and hiring decisions with confidence.

Matt Miller

Matt Miller

Hear From Those We've Advised

Client & Candidate Experience

  • Matt presented firms other recruiters didn’t, and he knew the market better than others I’ve talked to. That knowledge helped me make a lateral move as a partner that I never would have made, and I am better off for it.

    —Real Estate Finance Partner

  • Matt helped with every stage of my lateral move. He identified firms that fit my interests, provided connections and arranged interviews, and helped negotiate my compensation. His experience and insight were invaluable throughout this process. I would recommend Matt to any associate considering a lateral move.

    —Healthcare Associate

  • Matt has a great eye for what is a good fit for his clients.

    —Founding Partner, Litigation Boutique

  • Matt is hyper responsive, which is outstanding and hugely appreciated for those of us working with him. This process is challenging and it’s nice working with someone that gets back to you so quickly.

    —Life Sciences Partner

  • Matt was great to work with throughout my entire lateral recruitment journey. He was friendly, personable, and provided valuable and timely insights about the market in addition to longer term career advice (naturally, based on his experience). Perhaps most importantly, Matt achieved great outcomes negotiating on my behalf in a very tough market. I would strongly recommending him to anyone considering a lateral move.

    —M&A/PE Associate

  • Matt was the most conscientious recruiter I have ever worked with as an Associate. He not only understood what I wanted out of my next position, but he also consistently put my career needs above his own. He acted as a reliable mentor and advisor throughout the search and interview process, and he ensured that I ended up at a firm in the practice area and culture that I wanted.

    —Litigation Associate

  • Matt makes the magic happen.

    —Litigation Associate

Whether you're hiring exceptional legal talent or exploring your next opportunity, let's begin the conversation.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

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