RMN Global Search

Personal Life

Raj M. Nichani, Esq., is the president of RMN Global Search, a legal recruiting company located in Atlanta, Georgia. The company specializes in placing attorneys in law firms and in-house departments throughout the United States including partners, associates, in-house counsel and contract attorneys. RMN Global Search has also made international placements in Paris, London and China. In addition, Raj's clients have asked him to work in metropolitan areas throughout the country. Prior to running and managing his own company, Raj was a successful litigation associate for Kelley, Drye and Warren, LLP. In May 2003, he left New York and joined Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan, LLP, as a securities litigation associate. By December 2003, Raj moved to Rogers and Hardin, LLP, before transitioning into a full time legal recruiter and vice president at two companies, Hughes and Sloan and firstPRO. From there Raj started his own legal recruiting company, RMN Global Search, which is ranked 13 in LawCrossing's 2013 Most Influential Recruiters Ranking.

Raj was born in Madison, Wisconsin and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida. He is the son of immigrant parents who came to the United States in the 1970's. Raj attended Emory University and graduated with a double major in History and Philosophy. The future attorney earned his J.D. from the Syracuse University College of Law cum laude honors, where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Law and Technology and Associate Editor of the Syracuse Law Review.

The legal recruiter's friend set him up on a blind date in 2002. Raj ended up marrying this wonderful woman on December 31, 2006. He has two beautiful daughters, Priya, who has as much energy as the “Energizer Bunny” and Pasha, Raj's little angel who has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. Each year, RMN sponsors “Buddy Walk,” which raises money for individuals who are affected with Down syndrome.

When Raj isn't working, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, playing tennis, and rooting for the Syracuse Orange football and basketball teams, which are currently ranked sixth in the nation. He also cheers for the New York Knicks, primarily because he is a huge Carmelo Anthony fan. Raj expressed his love for travel. France and Italy are his among his favorite countries to visit, although enjoys Europe in general. He also enjoys vacationing in the Caribbean Islands where it's very relaxing. The legal recruiter has been to India and plans to go back with his kids.

Raj's Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters

What was Raj's most memorable school experience? The legal recruiter said his most memorable experience occurred during his third year of law school, when he was enrolled in a trial advocacy class. Although Raj admitted he forgot the facts and the laws of the case when he was in front of his class, the teacher, who was a judge, told him he was convincing and is a “wordsmith.” Raj received an A in the class, but remembers what his professor stated to him years later.

What does it take to be a successful legal recruiter? The self proclaimed Orange fan answered, “There is no secret recipe, but you have to be dedicated to your job. You have to take the ups and downs since legal recruiting is like a roller coaster ride at times. You have to be an optimist and you have to be a constant networker.” The legal recruiter added, “Always have a positive attitude because it engulfs your life. If you don't have a positive attitude or believe, who will want to work with you?”

Did the businessman transition into working as a recruiter or was he always involved in the field? Raj acknowledged that the recruiter who placed him at Rogers and Hardin explained to him that legal recruiting is an opportunity to use his sales skills and legal background to become a successful recruiter.

Raj said he was motivated to do recruiting right and wanted to emulate the legal recruiter's work ethic who placed him at Rogers and Hardin. The Emory University graduate explained, “I love getting referrals from individuals who say you helped a colleague of mine.”

The president of RMN Global Search talked about what he is known for professionally. The recruiter proclaimed, “I am known for playing by the rules and being ethical, to the point of seeming extreme at times. I am also known for the 24-7 service that the deal gets done where the client and candidate are happy. Also, I follow up with the candidates because they might need advice. You don't want to sever the relationship.”

The former litigator also talked about his strengths and weakness as a recruiter. He believes his weakness is being a perfectionist. The recruiter stated, “I love what I do and I want to do it right, but I overextend myself and help other people, which takes away from family time.” As for his strengths, Raj claimed, “I give 110 percent. Whether it's making deals for an associate, partner, in-house counsel or contract counsel, I will help all of these individuals across the board.”

When asked if he had a mentor, Raj pointed out he had several mentors that took him under their wing and he is very grateful to have them guide him in his career. The recruiter noted he is also a mentor to many individuals.

The recruiter gave advice to new recruiters, “Stick with it because it's like a roller coaster ride. Dedication is big, don't give up.”

Considering his seven years of experience in the legal recruiting industry, many readers may want to know where Raj sees the legal field in the next five years. He stated, “The field is changing. It's an interesting time to be in the field. You are not going to graduate from law school and become a partner for just putting in time. You need to engage yourself in the community and network.”

What does Raj look for to find the right fit? What makes a great candidate? The successful recruiter said there are certain qualifications a candidate must possess when he is looking for the right fit, such as how much experience the individual has and whether they are able to relocate. Raj mentioned that the candidate's experience and their personality should mesh in with the firm they are looking to work for. He concluded, “There must be a great cultural fit that is in tune with what the candidates' personality is like.”

The recruiter stated a great candidate is someone who possesses that extra skill set and can bring business to the table. The candidate must also possess drive and passion when working at a law firm. Raj emphasized the importance of a strong academic record and experience, but noted, “To produce greatness, a candidate must be entrepreneurial and be able to work with clients.”

So what is your recipe for a perfect match? The recruiter confessed, “A perfect match occurs when you sit down with a candidate and discuss their long term goals. You are not talking to a square peg and trying to fit it in a hole. The candidate and client have to be happy with each other and the client returns because they want more individuals that you brought them.”

How do you process fear? The candid recruiter admitted, “Fear is self derived, you bring it on yourself to some degree. There is always fear out there and things worry people, but the next step is to solve the fear. Don't dwell on the fear; solve what's causing the fear.”

After working seven years as a legal recruiter, Raj has gotten used to tackling obstacles. He stated, “I tackle obstacles one day at a time. You have to have a good team to run ideas by them.” The former litigator acknowledged that he overcomes obstacles by looking forward. He explained, “In my industry you will always face challenges and hurdles. You can't stop and think about it and analyze it because it can paralyze you. Do your best and that is all anybody can ask of you.”

Raj has learned a valuable lesson from one mistake he made as a young recruiter. He shared, “I learned you don't over promise. As a young recruiter, I took on too much. I don't have to be a big brother on things because I have a team and I can leave the office and things will get done. I have the best team underneath me. I can go to a convention and things will get done in the right manner. I don't have to worry or be concerned.”

Raj is a very confident businessman and he explained he derives his confidence from his parents. The recruiter discussed how he helped his parents sell t-shirts when he grew up in Daytona. He is proud of the fact that his parents put him through law school since they are immigrants who came to the United States only with what they had in their pockets. Raj expressed, “Confidence has been instilled in me since I was a young individual.”

The recruiter gave credit to his parents for having the most inspiring influence upon him. He not only derives his confidence from his mother and father, but also developed his work ethic from his parents. Raj said, “My parents worked so hard. I derived their work ethic. They gave me so much…that is instilled in me because I have seen how hard they have worked throughout the years.”

The president of RMN Global Search finds his job very rewarding because he “sees actual deals closing daily, weekly, monthly…I see people advancing in their careers. There is no better reward than having an individual calling or e-mailing to thank me.”

Raj's greatest accomplishment professionally is when an associate becomes a partner at a firm. The legal recruiter stated he couldn't put a monetary price on the success his candidates achieved after he placed the individual at the firm.

Non-Profit Organizations, Membership with Associations, Favorite Quote and Future Goals

Raj enjoys working with non-profit organizations; it's his way of giving back to the community. He encourages his legal recruiters to spend time working with non-profit organizations. Raj is currently involved with several non-profit organizations.

The legal recruiter holds a membership with the local chapter of GAPABA (Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Raj was a past president of GAPABA and is currently an active board member. He was also a past president of SABA-GA (South Asian Bar Association of Georgia).

Although Raj doesn't have a favorite quote he lives by, he believes the following: “No matter how bad things are, there are always good things to come.”

Raj's clients have asked him to work in metropolitan areas such as Denver and Charlotte. The legal recruiter's goal is to expand with new offices throughout the country. In the next five years, Raj plans on opening offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, D.C. and New York. Raj acknowledged that each legal recruiter who works in his Atlanta office is “capable and available and I can't do anything without their help.” His personal goal is to continue to be a good father and husband.