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Melinda's Passion and Focus Makes Gibson Top Woman-Owned Business

published October 15, 2012

By Follow Me on
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( 29 votes, average: 4.7 out of 5)
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Personal Life

Melinda Delmonico, President and CEO of Gibson Arnold & Associates, Inc.
Melinda Delmonico is President and CEO of Gibson Arnold & Associates, Inc. According to her website, “Melinda provides the company with strategic vision and leadership in serving the national legal community. She has significant industry experience and unique expertise regarding the company's business and operations. For twenty years, Melinda has developed relationships with hiring managers and partners in the legal community, gaining a first-hand understanding of the industries and practice areas important to her clients. Before joining Gibson Arnold & Associates, the legal recruiter worked as a director for CMS/Data Corporation (now Aderant), which provides financial information and time-based billing software and systems for law firms.” Her company is currently ranked 19 in LawCrossing's 2013 Most Influential Legal Recruiter's List.


Gibson Arnold is recognized as a top woman-owned business by the Colorado Business Journal. Colorado Business Magazine has recognized Gibson Arnold as a top 250 company for 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Melinda was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She earned a B.A. in speech communication, with a minor in journalism, from Texas A&M University. Her father was a Hungarian Freedom Fighter who left his country in 1950. He eventually settled in Texas, where he taught at Lamar High School and Texas Southern University. Her mother sang in the Houston Grand Opera for 15 years before creating Gibson Arnold & Associates.

When Melinda is not working, she spends time with her family, especially with her sons and husband. The legal recruiter enjoys reading history, philosophy and inspirational books. Some of her inspirational books include those by the Dalai Lama and others on a variety of business topics. Melinda isn't afraid of reading six books at one time. In her spare time she studies the Hungarian language and designs jewelry.

Melinda's Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters

Melinda was asked what it takes to become a successful legal recruiter. She replied, “With anything in life, it takes passion and focus. The best recruiters are excellent listeners. They have the ability to build strong relationships and have a keen discernment. I have been in the legal recruiting profession for 20 years. I am humbled everyday by the stories I hear from our clients and candidates.”

What motivated Melinda to work as a recruiter? The avid reader stated, “My mother, Yahne Gibson, founded Gibson Arnold in 1981. She offered me the opportunity to open an office in Denver.” However, Melinda mentioned she wasn't initially focused on the legal field. She expressed, “I thought that I would be a broadcast journalist.”

After deciding journalism wasn't her passion, she said “I started my career in the legal accounting field working domestically and internationally. In 1992 I joined Gibson Arnold & Associates as a Managing Director creating the Denver, Colorado office. Nine years ago my business partners and I purchased the company.”

Prior to joining Gibson Arnold & Associates, the legal recruiter worked for CMS/Data, a legal technology software company.
What did she end up learning while she worked at CMS/Data and how was her experience? She revealed it was a “wonderful company and interesting business. I learned a great deal about the legal field.” While working at CMS/Data Melinda had the opportunity to learn about legal technology and law firm finances.

What geographic areas is Gibson Arnold & Associates responsible for and what legal areas do they cover? Melinda acknowledged, “We work nationally, however the majority of our positions are located in Houston, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Los Angeles, California. We cover all legal specializations both in-house and for law firms. In addition, we have a focus on lateral partner and law firm mergers. The company places all types of lawyer positions from General Counsel to Associates, as well as legal staff positions. Finally, a division of our company is focused on e-Discovery projects.” The legal recruiter noted that her company has placed candidates internationally in locations such as London and France.

Gibson Arnold & Associates are known for their executive legal placement, full-time legal search and e-Discovery/document review. Melinda pointed out that the company has document review facilities in their Houston, Texas and Golden, Colorado offices. “We provide teams of legal professionals to assist law firms and corporations reduce the cost of the Discovery process.”

Melinda discussed her strengths and weaknesses as a recruiter. She declared, “I have a strong sense of compassion. It is certainly a strength in building relationships, however, it can be a weakness in that recruiters must be able to discern carefully for their clients. Not everyone is the right fit for all opportunities, even though they may think they are. I have excellent instincts and that guides my decision making when selecting candidates for an opportunity.”

Does Melinda have a mentor? If so, how did this relationship(s) assist her career? The legal recruiter proclaimed, “I have had several mentors in my career. I have had both male and female mentors that have been excellent examples of how to succeed in business/life, as well as individuals that provide excellent advice whenever I need a sounding board. In addition, I was raised with strong women who showed me that anything can be accomplished as long as you set your intentions towards the result.”

The recruiter was also influenced by all of her parents. She elaborated by saying “I come from a divorced family and truly have been inspired to grow and learn from each relationship in my life.”

Melinda gave her candid advice to new recruiters. She stated, “It is important to have the confidence to pick up the phone. Many new recruiters have call hesitation. It is imperative to quickly overcome this in order to be successful. In addition, a recruiter must develop their instinct about people.”

With 20 years experience in the legal recruiting business, many readers want to know where Melinda sees the legal field in the next five years. The legal recruiter said, “Expanding. We are about to hit a wall in demographics in our society. The X generation is 50% smaller than the baby boomers. There will be a huge need for qualified candidates.” She recognized that it is tough for candidates to find positions in today's market because of our recession, but said our economy will get better.

What does Melinda look for to find the right fit and what makes a great candidate? The successful recruiter said individuals who exhibit “bright, exceptional communication skills, solid legal acumen, poised presentation, and the ability to listen” tend to be the right fit. She acknowledged that a great candidate will possess self awareness and a keen mind. Melinda continued to say “each search is so different. Our client's culture and legal need determine the criteria.” She stressed that the candidate must be intelligent, knows who they are (self awareness) and should have strong communication skills.

The recruiter finds her work rewarding because she enjoys assisting individuals. Melinda stated, “I receive a great deal of satisfaction when our candidates find the right fit. Even if we have not placed them, our organizational philosophy is to help each person with their search and give them ideas and approaches that will help them succeed in their job hunt.” Her client satisfaction and the success of her team members at Gibson Arnold & Associates motivates the legal recruiter. She added that she learns from her clients regularly and “there is always something new in the law. There is different aspects of human beings and companies. Each individual can learn something new.”

What is Gibson Arnold & Associates recipe for a perfect match? Melinda explained, “When it is a perfect match, the process goes very quickly and smoothly. However, each process is very different and even though some searches take more time, the connections (fit) flows easily and effortlessly when you have a solid match.”

The legal recruiter talked about how she tackles obstacles and how she processes fear. She believes “obstacles are opportunities. I look at the provocation that the obstacle has provided in order to improve.” As for fear, she advised, “It is important to have self awareness. All responses to situations are derived from within. If we know why the fear exists than we can manage it.”

Has Melinda learned something of value from her mistakes? The legal recruiter answered, “Absolutely, mistakes provide opportunities to strengthen skills and improve service.”

So where does the recruiter derive her confidence? She simply stated, “Confidence is built from an inner strength and repetitive action.”

Volunteer Activities, Non Profit Organizations, and Membership with Associations

Melinda volunteers for the Jefferson Foundation. She is a board member who is very passionate about education. The foundation is focused on supporting the Jefferson County School District in Colorado. The legal recruiter confessed that “education is the key in society.” She got involved with the Jefferson County School District because her sons are enrolled there and it is the largest district in Colorado.

The recruiter also admires several non-profit organizations. She is a big fan of the Conflict Center, an organization focused on teaching conflict management in society. They are responsible for teaching students how to deal with conflict. The Conflict Center also teaches adults about all levels of mankind and about tolerance in society. Another organization Melinda is interested in is called Half the Sky Movement. The organization's role is to prevent discrimination against women worldwide.

Melinda also holds a membership with several organizations. She is an associate member of the Denver/Colorado Bar Association. The legal recruiter is a member of the Corporate Secretary Association, the Alliance of Professional Women and the Denver Metro Chamber. As part of the Chamber she has participated in Leadership Denver, class of 2011, Leadership Exchange 2009, Access Denver 2010. She frequently speaks to organizations and law schools about the legal industry and job market.

The recruiter is passionate about other causes. She is vocal about our democracy and the importance of civic activity. Melinda firmly believes “each person has a voice and each individual has a right to exercise their voice.” She emphasized that people should be engaged with their lawmakers, congressman, and senator. Perhaps Melinda's passion for democracy and civic duty stems from her father. When she reflected on her most memorable event, the recruiter said her, “Most memorable event was my father, a Hungarian Freedom Fighter, coming to class to discuss the importance of creative thought and civic activity. His passion for our democracy and the importance of the expression of the human spirit was memorable for all who attended.”

published October 15, 2012

By Follow Me on
( 29 votes, average: 4.7 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.

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