Myra Binstock Legal Search LLC

Personal Life

Myra Binstock owns and runs Myra Binstock Legal Search LLC, a search firm based in New Jersey. Myra Binstock Legal Search LLC specializes in placing patent attorneys and agents, as well as trademark attorneys, throughout the United States. Prior to founding her company, Myra worked as a legal secretary and administrator for several private law firms and to an Appellate Division Judge for ten years. She also served as a sole paralegal for Ingersoll-Rand Company for ten years. Myra was an office manager for a legal recruiting firm before establishing her own search firm twenty-seven years ago.


Myra was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, and raised in the Bronx and
Paramus, New Jersey. She has three children. Myra’s oldest daughter is an accomplished architect, who designed her mother’s kitchen. Her son is a lawyer; and they enjoy discussing interesting cases together. Myra’s youngest daughter is an Emmy Award winning writer. She won the Award for writing for the talk show, The View, where she worked for ten years.

Myra received her A.A. Degree in English Literature from Fairleigh Dickinson University and earned her B.A. in American Literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey. She also received her paralegal certificate from Manhattanville College. When I asked her what compelled her to become a legal recruiter, the humorous Ms. Binstock said, “I was married to a litigator, so I already knew how to spell tortfeasor.”

When she isn’t working, Myra enjoys her grandchildren. She also loves theatre and travelling. She recently saw, and recommends a comedy starring David Hyde Pierce and Sigourney Weaver, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. She has traveled to the Galápagos Islands, Israel, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Prague and has been to England twelve times. Myra has also traveled to Alaska and she recalled that the colors of the glaciers were phenomenal.

A committed foodie, Myra is a frequent visitor to Costanera restaurant, located in Montclair, NJ., where she eats the best Peruvian cuisine. The businesswoman stated, “I like to go out and eat with my friends. I like to taste the essence of good food.” Myra’s favorite books are John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain. She is currently reading Richard Ford’s Canada.

Myra’s Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters

Does Myra have a top memory from school? She pointed out that she used to be the chair of the Curriculum Committee for The Adult School of Montclair, NJ. She helped create the curriculum for over two hundred courses, as well as interviewing the people who would teach these classes. Her skills at selecting the right people came in handy.

What does it take to become a successful legal recruiter? Myra said it takes perseverance and a curiosity about people. She treats each new candidate as though they are the first people she has spoken to. Myra noted, “After twenty-seven years of legal recruiting, I only had four falloffs (people who have not made grade after they have started work). Not bad, eh? She asked.”

What motivated Myra to work as a legal recruiter? She said it was serendipitous. Myra’s daughter encouraged her to go to New York to find out what she could make in New York as a paralegal after spending ten years in New Jersey as one. After being interviewed by a legal recruiting firm, they hired Myra as an office manager. The search firm asked if she could place intellectual property attorneys during her first month of employment. Myra agreed and she quickly made six placements in one month. After the search firm went out of business, Myra started her own company.

The businesswoman discussed what she is known for professionally. “It’s all about the drive and dedication, maintaining an impeccable sense of ethics, and not losing your sense of humor. If something doesn’t work for you today, it will come back to you later.”

Myra also discussed her strengths and weaknesses as a recruiter. She acknowledged that she is interested in what individuals have to say. “The more interested you are in a person, the more they open up and reveal things about themselves, which makes it easier to place them in the right environment.” Myra is also a very good businessperson who knows how to close a deal. As for her weaknesses, the recruiter said that her commitment to work to her limit every day isn’t as strong as it used to be. She is more selective in how she spends her time. However, Myra stressed that she is available for her candidates and clients at night and on weekends. She welcomes their calls and likes to speak with them when they are not under the pressure of putting in time at work.

What is Myra’s advice to new recruiters? She advised that recruiters should work ethically and should learn as much as they can about the law firms and corporations they are representing. And, for God’s sake, have fun.

Considering her twenty-seven years of experience in the legal recruiting industry, many readers may want to know where Myra sees the legal field in the next five years. The candid recruiter said, “I don’t know. But if it continues the way it is with communicating just by emails, there will be no business. Recruiting must return to the personal side where you can talk to people in person and over the phone.”

What does Myra look for to find the right fit? What makes a great candidate? “It’s different with each candidate. The more the candidates reveal about themselves, I can confidently place them in the firm or corporation that’s right for them.”

In regard to what makes a great candidate, Myra asserted, “A candidate who is focused and knows who they are and is not afraid to reveal themselves.”

What is the recruiter’s recipe for a perfect match? Myra says it’s honesty and being an authentic person. Candidates can’t have unrealistic expectations and they have to have knowledge of what the market is. Candidates must also understand it’s not about them, but what they can provide to the firm or corporation.”

How does Myra tackle obstacles? The businesswoman simply stated, “Face it and move on.”

When asked if she learned something of value from her mistakes, Myra replied, “Of course. I learned never to do it again. You always learn from the people you work with. I learn from other recruiters, clients and candidates, otherwise there is no value.”

Where does Myra derive her confidence? “I don’t think about failure. I brush myself off, pick myself up and move on. I have had a long career, with more highs than lows, and
more to come, I hope.”

Professional Associations, Facing Obstacles and Favorite Quote

Does Myra hold a membership with any professional associations? She is a member of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC), an organization of legal recruiters that adheres to the highest ethical standards in the profession. Myra is also a member of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.

Has Myra faced any obstacles in her life? How did she get through the obstacles? “You have to be a survivor in this world. You have to have a sense of humor in life. Life is wonderful. I don’t have any regrets.”

Myra’s favorite quote is by Lord Acton: “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” She said people let their egos get in the way. Myra would like to see more empathy and humility in this world and among the professionals she works with.

Motivation and a Rewarding Position

What motivates Myra to be a recruiter every day? She jokingly said, “My mortgage.”

Does Myra find her position rewarding? “Yes. I find work exciting. When I make a placement, it’s very rewarding, both emotionally and financially.”

Myra can be reached at her office located at the address below:

Myra Binstock Legal Search LLC
121 Squire Hill Road
Montclair, NJ 07043

973-783-6006 (office)
973-449-1011 (mobile)

Email:  myra.binstock@gmail.com
Website: www.myrabinstock.com