Chris Batz owns and runs The Lion Group LLC, a national legal search firm. His firm is currently ranked 11 in LawCrossing's 2013 Most Influential Legal Recruiters List. Prior to founding his company, Chris worked as an auditor for Capin Crouse LLP and at Keller and Owens LLC. He was a public accountant and entrepreneur for eight years before he transitioned as a full-time executive and legal recruiter for CB Legal Search LLC. Since Chris has established The Lion Group in January 2011, he has been working with transactional and litigation attorneys and is responsible for making placements in large firms and boutiques across the country. Chris is active in placing candidates in the Midwest, South and Northeast and is approached by international lawyers who are seeking placement within the United States. He also specializes in energy, labor and employment law as well as International Project Finance.
What can you expect when you are working with Chris? According to his website, he is “a detailed type A, patient trustworthy advocate. I am a high-level strategic thinker, but I also shift to the nitty-gritty details. I live outside the box. I deliver in the present but live in the future. I am bold and open doors for people who may not have the time or want to themselves. You can expect prompt honest service.”
Chris was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in South Florida. When the legal recruiter isn't working, he enjoys spending time with family, friends, and his faith community. He is a very big MLS and World Cup fan. Chris roots for the Sporting KC and Houston Dynamo. He is a compulsive reader who enjoys everything from business, current issues, fiction and law-related blogs. Chris admitted he likes trying different foods, especially international cuisine such as Indian, Asian, Latin, and fusions; he also is an aspiring cook. His current experiment are variations of chai tea from scratch.
Chris Batz's Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters
Chris was asked what it takes to become a successful legal recruiter. He stated that it takes “Persistence, diligence, perseverance, tenacity, and an eye for opportunity. Remaining flexible, creative, and professional is crucial when dealing with dozens of people at once. Being a legal recruiter requires immersing yourself in your clients and candidates and bringing the most beneficial synergistic results.”
Did Chris transition into working as a recruiter or was he always involved in the field? The recruiter explained that after he spent eight years as a public accountant and entrepreneur, he met a legal recruiter in Houston who eventually persuaded him to start his own business.
What motivated Chris to work as a legal recruiter? Did the legal recruiter in Houston really lure Chris into the profession? Although Chris candidly acknowledged that he stumbled into the legal recruiting profession, he noted that he learned a lot from Carol Brymm of CB Legal Search LLC and had a blast interacting with partners. He recognizes and respects the challenges lawyers face and believes it's a historic time to assist them in their industry. The former auditor also expressed that he is a “people junky” and enjoys meeting new individuals everyday, especially lawyers.
The businessman talked about what he is known for professionally. The recruiter asserted, “For partner recruiting. I place candidates at AML 100 and 200. My clients are large firms and boutiques. I am not necessarily your traditional recruiter. I am now offering to a limited number of clients our “Private Client Services”, which brings marketing & branding to the partner recruiting process. For candidates, no one comes to me and leaves empty handed. I coach individuals, and they leave with a plan. If I can't help them, I will direct them to someone who can more beneficial.” Chris also pointed out that international lawyers seek his advice, and he continues to strengthen his relationship with international law firms.
Chris also talked about his strengths and weaknesses as a recruiter. He revealed, “I am a detailed, strategic thinker who is persistent. I also carry myself well with executives and law firm partners.” As for weaknesses, Chris claimed, “I have plenty of weaknesses, but I am always working on ways to be more efficient and effective for clients and candidates. Also one of Chris' favorite author's says “There's strength in weakness.”
When asked if he had a mentor and if he is currently mentoring individuals, Chris replied, “Yes. I am a mentor to entrepreneurs and I am mentored by seasoned executives and entrepreneurs around the country.”
What is Chris's advice to new recruiters? He proclaimed, “Be persistent, diligent, and find encouraging people to surround yourself with. Recruiting is not for the faint at heart.”
Considering his experience in the legal recruiting industry, many readers may want to know where Chris sees the legal field in the next five years. The recruiter said, “In the next five years, the AML100 & Global100 demographics will shrink in firm count but expand globally through mergers and firm failures. I expect more law firm boutiques to pop up. There will be more innovative law service providers, and I also believe non-lawyer ownership is coming to the law industry. It's going to be an exciting and historical time for the law industry. I am very hopeful for all the outcomes and innovations to that will emerge.”
What does Chris look for to find the right fit? What makes a great candidate? The successful recruiter said, ““A great candidate is someone who is motivated and knows what they want and are honest about where they are in their career. I assist partners with portable business of $500k to $10mm. I provide a hands-on approach that educates and creates a safe process for candidates.”
Regarding clients, Chris continues to explain that “he works with and seeks law firms (both large and boutiques) that are unique and differentiated in the market.”
In regards to handling fear, he declared, the confident businessman doesn't believe fear should hinder an individual from accomplishing their goals. He declared, “Fear is a gift because it reveals what you should be doing. I run into it. It's a healthy motivator, a sign post of where I need to go. And I hate the status quo.”
Has Chris learned something of value from his mistakes? The recruiter stated, “Yes. Mistakes are humbling and add character. Everyone makes mistakes, but its how you respond that makes the difference.”
So where does the legal recruiter derive his confidence? Chris expressed, “I know who I am and daily I continue to learn more about who I am created to be. The more you know about yourself; the more you can walk it out.”
Since transitioning into the legal recruiting business, Chris is still motivated every day because he believes business is the best vehicle to be an agent of change for the world. He said, “I enjoy being a philanthropist, and I like making money to sow into projects and organizations that will benefit people groups around the world. I believe the right use of money in the right hands can truly have a lasting impact on this world such as justice issues, education, development, etc. So much is possible with one person.” The legal recruiter also mentioned that he thrives on seeing his clients and candidates going the next level.
Admiring Non-profit Organizations, Membership with an Association and Chris' Passions
Chris supports the ending of human sex trafficking. After watching Nefarious: Merchant of Souls, a documentary that exposes the disturbing trends of modern sex slavery, Chris began to admire and support Exodus Cry and Unlikely Heroes. Both organizations are devoted to ending human sex trafficking. Unlikely Heroes was created to restore homes and rehabilitation centers for individuals who have been sold for sex. Chris explained that these organizations rescue women and children out of sex trade. He said, “The modern day slave trade affects twenty seven million people. That would be the size of the second largest state in the US after California and before Texas. All women and children.”
The legal recruiter holds a membership with the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC). The majority of members associated with NALSC are legal recruiters and search firms.
Some of Chris' passions are business marketing and development, strategic thinking, seeing clients excel, learning, international travel, food, faith, classical music and visual arts.
Talking About Marriage, Favorite Quotes and Greatest Accomplishment
When asked, “Have you overcame any obstacles in your life?,” Chris honestly said, “Marriage is one of life's greatest gifts, but also is the greatest challenge. If you're in it for yourself, you're not going to last or it's going to be miserable.” He continued to say that the rewards of marriage are trust, friendship and kiddos. “I would never trade my daughter for anything.” Chris acknowledged that when it comes to business, his wife is his greatest supporter.
Chris' favorite quotes are by John Wesley and G.M. Hopper: “Make all you can, save all you can. Give all you can” and “A ship is safest at port, but that's not what a ship was created for.”
What has been Chris' greatest accomplishment? He jokingly said, “I'm breathing and I'm thankful.”
