Laura S. Corrao, Robin S. Miller and Lauren M. Wiesenthal are Three Superb Legal Recruiters

About CMW

CMW is a legal search firm based in New York, NY. For over twenty years, CMW has been successful in finding the right candidate for the right position. They specialize in lawyers from all areas of practice and primarily focus on making permanent placements in New York City. CMW has also made national and international placements in Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Florida; California; London and many other locations. They do everything possible to assist their candidates in building great careers as well as assist their clients in finding the best legal talent. CMW takes the time to get to know their candidates and clients, so they can make the best recommendations for their searches. If candidates are ready to take the next step in their career or if clients are prepared to hire individuals on their team, CMW's partners and recruiters have the connections, insight, and experience to help you make the correct choice.


Laura S. Corrao

Laura graduated summa cum laude from The College at Brockport, SUNY and she earned her J.D. from Boston College Law School. Laura practiced as a real estate attorney for five years at the firm that is now Nixon Peabody. In 1986, she moved into the legal search field.

Laura's Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters

What does it take to become a successful legal recruiter? "Legal recruiters have to be able to talk to all types of people. Whether the individual is friendly, intense, open or not open, it's the recruiter's job to effectively communicate with a variety of individuals." Laura continued to say that recruiters must be good listeners and they shouldn't expect to make quick placements.

Where does Laura derive her confidence? "From doing my homework and being as informed as possible. I like to have my bases covered and I am prepared for everything. I am confident when I am informed."

What motivated her to work as a recruiter? Laura explained that she was happy working as an attorney, but she wanted to love what she was doing. After meeting with a recruiter, Laura decided she wanted to move into the legal search industry. "It was a strong pull. The legal search field is a different atmosphere and being a recruiter is a different level of position than an attorney. I decided to take that leap."

The businesswoman discussed what she is known for professionally. "I am a good listener who is respectful and responsive to all of my candidates and clients. It's personal for my candidates and clients, so I make sure I respond to all of their questions and concerns."

Laura also discussed her strengths and one weakness as a recruiter. "I have a keen memory and I can remember a lot of details about the people I meet." As for her weakness, the candid recruiter claimed, "I am naturally somewhat shy, which can inhibit me in groups. Fortunately, the one on one nature of my business suits me well."

So what is Laura's advice to new recruiters? "Recruiters must have a lot of patience. They can't expect everyday to be a good day. Recruiters have to look for the small rewards such as meeting candidates and arranging interviews. If they are just waiting for a deal to close, they will not be happy."

Considering her twenty-six years of experience in the legal recruiting industry, many readers may want to know where Laura sees the legal and legal recruiting fields in the next five years. "I definitely feel that the legal field is going through major changes, and these changes will continue in the next five years." She said the billing practices and the structure of firms will continue to change.

With regard to the recruiting industry, Laura stated, "The legal recruiting field has been through a lot of changes, and CMW has been a force in the legal search field. Despite all the outlets available, we will continue to provide the valuable service of pinpointing and locating superior candidates for opportunities on which we're working."

What does Laura look for to find the right fit? What makes a great candidate? "I look for a candidate who is experienced and has the right skill set which is needed for my clients. Great candidates are realistic about the market place and are not defensive when I give out my advice and referral. They are realistic and open to what I have to say."

Does she have a recipe for a perfect match? "I don't have a recipe for a perfect match. It's too amorphous."

What has been Laura's greatest obstacle as a recruiter? "Dealing with disappointment. Just because you may be working hard on something doesn't mean it will translate into results going your way."

How does the businesswoman tackle this obstacle? "I try to work on a lot of deals. Sometimes things take a dip and sometimes things come to the top. I am always informed on my deals."

Has Laura learned something of value from her mistakes? "I definitely try to. You try to learn from the last experience."

Non-Profit Organizations, Laura's Mentor and Mentoring Others

Does Laura work with any non-profit organizations? "CMW has worked with hospitals and other health care providers." Personally, Laura is involved with the Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency that provides free summer vacations in the country to inner city children. Fresh Air Fund has interviewed Laura and her family, and she plans on guiding a child for ten days during the summer.

Does Laura have a mentor? Is she a mentor? The recruiter said Laura Colangelo was her mentor. "She was smart and professional. She had a great influence on me when I first entered the legal search field." Laura is not mentoring any particular individual at CMW, but she does consider herself a mentor to all recruiters who work for her. She described CMW's office as a bullpen, where individual recruiters are always close by in case they need each other's advice and support. She also stated that she is fortunate to work with talented recruiters with good instincts who care about their candidates and clients.

What It's Like Working With Robin and Lauren, Motivation, a Rewarding Position and Laura's Goals

When Laura was asked if she gives out advice and supports other recruiters at CMW when they are struggling with a deal, she replied, "One hundred percent, Yes. That's what we do well, and we help each other out as much as we can."

What is it like working with Robin and Lauren? The humble recruiter asserted, "It's like a gift to have two people you can count on. It's really an incredible fortune and we realize this everyday. We are thankful all the time."

How does working with Robin and Lauren affect Laura's working environment? "It's a comfortable place to be. There is enough anxiety when you are working on certain deals. Robin and Lauren, and our other colleagues, create a great working environment where you can help and be helped."

What motivates Laura to be a legal recruiter everyday? "I feel personally connected to my candidates and clients. I want to do a good job for my candidates and clients. I am also very connected and responsible for the people I work for and the people I work with. That's what motivates me to do a good job."

Why does she find her position rewarding? "It's so amazing to connect with people on a daily basis about their careers and their transitions. It is very personal. It's fascinating."

Does the recruiter have goals? "I will keep doing what I am doing. I look forward to making deals that work in the long term and are impactful for my clients and candidates. It's very rewarding."

Robin S. Miller

Robin graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College and she earned her J.D. from Columbia University Law School. She practiced law for seven years. Robin was a corporate associate, first with Baer, Marks & Upham, and later with Pryor, Cashman, Sherman & Flynn. She also practiced for three years with the legal department of The Chase Manhattan Bank before joining the legal search field in 1988.

Robin's Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters

What does it take to become a successful legal recruiter? "It takes a combination of motivation and drive. A recruiter also needs to understand the market place, candidates and clients' needs and desires."

Where does Robin derive her confidence? "I am an only child. My parents told me that I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to." Robin explained that she used to be an athlete. She was taught that if she worked hard and remained motivated, she could be very successful.

What motivated her to work as a recruiter? When Robin was practicing law and was searching for potential new opportunities, other search firms encouraged her to become a legal recruiter. "I joined a search firm that had an excellent reputation, and where Laura and Lauren were already working. We left that search firm a year and a half later to start CMW."

When asked what is she known for professionally, Robin replied, "Laura, Lauren, and I are known for our integrity and for our success."

The businesswoman gave her advice to new recruiters. "Legal recruiters have to be persistent and work hard. What you put into your work is what you get. You also have to take a long view of this business."

Since Robin has twenty-five years of experience in the legal recruiting industry, many readers may want to know where she sees the legal and legal recruiting fields in the next five years. "I see consolidation. There are, unfortunately, too many lawyers."

In regards to the recruiting industry, Robin acknowledged, "They should weed out headhunters who don’t know what they are doing and engage in unethical practices."

What does Robin look for to find the right fit? What makes a great candidate? "The right fit depends on the candidate and client." She continued to say that recruiters need to know what their candidates and clients are looking for. Robin added, "It's like putting together pieces of a puzzle."

As for what makes a great candidate, Robin stated, "It's a combination of intelligence, personality, and motivation." She said if she is placing a partner, she is looking for a client base in addition to these attributes.

Does the recruiter have a recipe for a perfect match? "No."

What has been Robin's greatest obstacle as a recruiter? "I see unethical practices in our business."

How does the businesswoman tackle this obstacle? "I try to negotiate what I believe is a fair solution to the problem."

Has Robin learned something of value from her mistakes? "I hope so. In most cases, I have learned something valuable from my mistakes."

Mentoring Others and Non-Profit Organizations

Does Robin have a mentor? Is she a mentor? Robin said she did not have a mentor throughout her recruiting career, but she did learn from Laura, Lauren, and other individuals in the legal search field. She is currently mentoring the excellent team of recruiters who work for CMW.

Does Robin work with any non-profit organizations? "CMW has worked with a number of hospitals and health care providers." Robin, Laura, and Lauren have also worked with Pencils, a non-profit organization based in Queens, NY. The recruiters were role models for inner city girls.

What it's Like Working With Laura and Lauren, Motivation, a Rewarding Position, Robin's Goals and Final Thoughts

Robin was asked if she gives out advice and supports other recruiters at CMW when they are struggling with a deal. "Yes, absolutely. We speak with each other and seek other individuals' opinions. We also give advice to candidates and clients about closing a deal."

What is it like working with Laura and Lauren? "We are a fantastic team. Because of our structure and equal profit sharing, clients and candidates get the full support of our office."

What motivates Robin to be a legal recruiter everyday? "I get great satisfaction from every step of the process."

Why does she find her position rewarding? "I get personal satisfaction from closing a deal and helping a candidate in his/her career."

Does Robin have goals? "To continue to be as least as successful as I have been in the past and to give back to the legal community."

When asked if there is anything else she would like to share about herself professionally or personally, Robin said she is extremely close to her two sons and her mother. And she is a dog lover. "Laura, Lauren, and I really like what we do. We are professionals who help our candidates and clients make the best career choices."

Lauren M. Wiesenthal

Lauren graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and she earned her J.D. from Fordham Law School. She practiced law for three years. Lauren was a corporate associate, first with Dornbush, Mensch, Mandelstam & Schaeffer, and later with Berlack, Israels & Liberman. In 1987, she entered the legal search field.

Lauren's Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters

What does it take to become a successful legal recruiter? "A legal recruiter must be an easy person to talk to. She should be a good listener who can analyze the candidate or client's goal from her perspective with out judgment but with a critical supportive eye. A recruiter should be able to communicate her perspective in a constructive manner."

Where does Lauren derive her confidence? "I believe my confidence for being an effective recruiter comes naturally, and I have gained more confidence by successfully placing lawyers for over 20 years."

What motivated her to work as a recruiter? "Practicing law can be confrontational and it is a paper driven business. I love people and I like to put people together in positive situations. I thought being a recruiter was a natural fit for me."

The businesswoman discussed what she is known for professionally. "I am patient, upbeat, reliable, and tenacious. I am also a good listener."

Lauren also discussed her strengths and one weakness as a recruiter. She said her most important strengths are the commitment and serious focus that she brings to each individual's search. As for her weakness, she admitted, "I have trouble saying no to someone so I spread myself too thin and I am pulled in many directions."

What is Lauren's advice to new recruiters? "New recruiters have to believe in themselves and the message that they are imparting when they make cold calls. They also have to communicate something of value to the lawyer on the other end of the call, something that person will want to know."

Lauren has twenty-six years' of experience in the legal recruiting industry. Where does she see the legal and legal recruiting fields in the next five years? "I see tremendous consolidation both in law firms and in recruiting firms."

In regards to the recruiting industry, Lauren claimed, "There will be smarter recruiters and more strategic recruiting."

What does Lauren look for to find the right fit? What makes a great candidate? “The right fit depends on my understanding of both the skill set and personality the client is looking for. What does the client really want, what are they communicating between the lines?” The straight shooter added, “Honestly, sometimes they don’t tell you what they are looking for, so you have to intuit from what they don't say.”

As for what makes a great candidate, Lauren stated, “A great candidate must not only have the skill set but must have the right attitude for the position they are interviewing for. They must be personable and highly skilled at what they do. A mediocre candidate is someone who is edgy, has an attitude, and does not show up on time. An excellent candidate must communicate that if he or she is hired, the employer’s life will be easier."

Does she have a recipe for a perfect match? Lauren said her candidates' cultural values and chemistry must be shared with her clients in order to make a great placement.

What has been Lauren's greatest obstacle as a recruiter? "My greatest obstacle was understanding how to rebound when something went wrong with a deal. I had to learn not to take things personally when a deal goes wrong. Instead, recruiters should understand what went wrong and learn from that experience."

How does Lauren tackle this obstacle? "By being a generous and patient thinker. Accepting the facts, moving on with maturity and taking something positive away."

Has the businesswoman learned something of value from her mistakes? "Yes. I really try to learn from every mistake and implement this knowledge in the next relationship."

Non-Profit Organizations, Pro Bono Work, Lauren's Mentor and Mentoring Others

Does Lauren work with any non-profit organizations? Lauren recently got involved with Morry's Camp, a nonprofit, year-round youth development organization that provides to each child a multi-year commitment anchored by a superb residential summer camp experience. The children, for whom these experiences would not otherwise be available, benefit from a network of support and gain self-esteem, increased social skills; enhance a greater sense of personal responsibility and positive core values. Lauren will be assigned a student who she will mentor before he/she attends college.

Does Lauren handle pro bono work? She said she has made special placements for college graduates without receiving a fee.

Does she have a mentor? Is Lauren a mentor? She noted that Laura Colangelo, her first employer in this industry was her mentor. Lauren observed Laura's style and how she ran the company. She is currently mentoring junior recruiters who work for CMW.

What it's Like Working With Laura and Robin, Motivation, a Rewarding Position, Lauren's Goals and Final Thoughts

Does Lauren give out advice and support other recruiters at CMW when they are struggling with a deal? "We are incredibly supportive and we learn from each other. We also make each other laugh."

What is it like working with Laura and Robin? "It's tremendous working with Laura and Robin. It makes my job incredibly rewarding. We crack up and have fun. We feel lucky we have a great business."

How does working with Laura and Robin affect Lauren's working environment? "It's motivating. We learn from each other. Although we each have a different approach to recruiting, I am a better recruiter because I listen and observe each of their approaches."

What motivates Lauren to be a legal recruiter everyday? "I love what I do and I am connected to my candidates and clients."

Why does she find her position rewarding? "I find my position rewarding because I deal with individual’s lives and careers. It feels real and very important. I find it incredibly rewarding if I can help someone make a positive change in their lives."

Does the New Jerseyan have goals? "My goal is to become better at my job every day and to build upon our stellar reputation and success."

Lauren was asked if there is anything else she would like to share about herself professionally or personally. "Yes, having a profession that feels natural and productive makes me enjoy myself and my life. It makes me a complete person with depth of personality and richness in my day. I highly recommend finding a job that completes you."