Michael Bloch Associates, Inc.

Personal Life

Michael Bloch is the President of Michael Bloch Associates, Inc., an executive search firm based in Rochester, N.Y. Michael specializes in working with partners in various practice areas with an emphasis on commercial litigation, corporate M&A, real estate, labor and employment, and tax law. He also works with patent attorneys and agents. Michael works with law firms primarily in New York, Chicago, Washington, DC and Boston, as well as other areas of the US including Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. In addition to working with practice groups that may want to move to a new firm and small groups of attorneys, Michael works with hospitals, universities, colleges, and nonprofit organizations to help them find and successfully recruit development, fundraising, donor relations, and alumni relations professionals. He has been in the recruiting profession for more than thirteen years.

Michael has a marketing background. He has worked with businesses to help them develop and implement marketing policies that will maximize the effectiveness of their marketing, both Internet and traditional based.

Prior to entering the recruitment business in 2000, Michael served as an advertising sales person for a chain of weekly newspapers. He also served as an account executive at a Rochester based advertising agency and was the publisher and editor of Business Strategies Newspaper, a local business newspaper, which served the Rochester area. Michael started the paper in 1984 and he sold it in 1999.

Michael is also the founder of Popcorn Charlie's, a gourmet popcorn company that sells popcorn for fundraising, employee recognition, corporate gifts, events, and just plain eating. The popular flavors include bacon cheddar, movie popcorn, kettle corn, cheddar, and caramel. Popcorn gift tins are used by businesses throughout the nation for employee recognition awards, referral thank yous, thank you gifts for new sales, customer gifts at the holidays, and for birthdays. Church and school groups, athletic teams, and non-profit organizations use popcorn for fundraising. At weddings, popcorn buffets are a very popular feature.

He formerly served as Executive Director of the Rochester Entrepreneurial Society, President of the Penfield Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Rochester Sales and Marketing Executives Club. Michael currently serves as Treasurer of the Penfield Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Penfield Symphony Orchestra, and President of the Western NY Postcard Club.

He was born in Sharon, CT, and raised in Millerton N.Y. Michael graduated from Trinity-Pawling School and earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. His daughter is currently attending his alma mater.

When the legal recruiter isn't working, Michael enjoys competitive rifle and pistol target shooting, political button and vintage postcard collecting, small business marketing, and flying radio controlled airplanes. He is a licensed private pilot and a photographer who specializes in architecture photography and provides photography for a select group of Rochester area builders, developers and commercial property owners. One of his favorite authors is Scott Pratt. Michael is currently writing a book titled Job Secrets Revealed: How To Get The Job You Really Want Using The Secrets Of A Professional Head Hunter.

Michael's Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters

Does Michael have a top memory from school? He said he was Vice Chair of Student Government at Rochester Institute of Technology. In this role, Michael made several positive changes at school. He was influential in establishing parking rules so students, especially photography students, could park closer to the university and unpack equipment to carry to the building. Michael also established shuttle bus transportation so students could travel from school to shops and vice versa.

What does it take to become a successful legal recruiter? "Recruiters must genuinely want to help candidates succeed in their careers. They should have an interest in what it's like to practice law. A successful recruiter should have empathy for their candidates and should understand what's best for his/her career."

What motivated Michael to become a recruiter? He explained that a friend persuaded him into the search field. Michael's friend was a recruiter who worked for a firm in Rochester. Since Michael was already exposed to employment business and had a knack for connecting people to job opportunities, he thought he would enjoy working as a recruiter. He explained, "I like putting deals together and talking on the phone. I though becoming a recruiter was a good match for my interest."

The businessman discussed what he is known for professionally. Michael stated:

"I am known for working closely with partners at law firms. The career of a law firm partner has changed a lot in recent years. Partners are no longer as likely to stay at one firm their entire career. Sometimes it is advantageous for a partner to move to another firm, where they can grow their practice. Partners are moving more than they used to five or six years ago."

Michael also discussed his strengths and one weakness as a recruiter. "I have empathy and I understand the wants and needs of the candidates I work with." As for his weakness, the legal recruiter acknowledged, "I spend too much time helping people I can't help as a recruiter. I offer them advice on how to find a job."

So what is Michael's advice to new recruiters? "Recruiters should work in an area that interests them. They should start by getting a job at a big recruiting agency, where they will receive good training. Recruiters will work alongside experienced recruiters, which is a great place to start."

Considering his thirteen years of experience in the legal recruiting industry, many readers may want to know where Michael sees the legal search field in the next five years. "I don't think it will change much in five years. It's hard to find good candidates and recruiters make it easy for companies to find experienced attorneys when they need them. What changes over time is what types of recruiting jobs are in demand. This depends on factors such as the economy or technology. When you need to hire a candidate, someone with specific skills, it is much more efficient to use a recruiter."

What does Michael look for to find the right fit? What makes a great candidate? "I ask my candidates a lot of questions so I can understand their situation. I want to know what their interests are and their reasons for exploring a new firm. The more I know about my candidates, the better job I can do for them."

In regards to what makes a great candidate, Michael noted, "A great candidate must first meet the qualifications for the job. He/she must be open and honest about everything when they talk with me. Candidates who are willing to spend some time talking about their situation and provide answers to my questions are the best people to work with."

Does he have a recipe for a perfect match? "There is no recipe. Honestly, you get a gut feeling based on what you know about your candidates and clients. Chemistry is also important and must be there between the candidate and the employer."

How does the businessman process fear? "I don't feel fear. When my clients get close to making a deal with my candidates, you feel apprehension not fear. The hardest call is to tell a candidate they didn't receive the job. The best call is when I can make them an offer for a position they really want."

Has Michael learned something of value from his mistakes? "If you're smart, you will lean from your mistakes. You need to think about your key mistakes so you won't repeat them. Everybody makes mistakes. If you analyze your mistakes, you will learn from them and do something different the next time."

Where does Michael derive his confidence? "I derive my confidence from complements I receive from attorneys I work with. Attorneys say they like how I work. I don't talk people into anything. I understand my candidates and their situation and what's best for their careers."

Number One Priority, Most Inspiring Influences, Michael's Mentor and Mentoring Others, and His Passions

What is Michael's number one priority outside of work? "To live life with integrity and to make a difference in people's lives."

When asked who had the most inspiring influence upon him, Michael said he is inspired by trial attorney Gerry Spence. He was also inspired by Frank Serpico, a well-known retired New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer who testified in 1971 against police corruption. Serpico, a 1973 film, brought Frank Serpico most of his recognition. Al Pacino starred in the lead role. Michael interviewed Mr. Serpico a number of years ago when he spoke at Rochester Institute of Technology. The former NYPD officer told Michael to always do the right thing.

Does Michael have a mentor? Is he a mentor? He pointed out that Ted Good, a recruiter who worked with tax attorneys, was his mentor. Reading time management and marketing books about how to work with people and improve customer service also influenced Michael. He has been a mentor to several recruiters he trained. Michael emphasized that he used to contribute articles to The Fordyce Letter. For more than forty years, The Fordyce Letter has been publishing what is widely considered to be the best information for the search and placement industry.

What causes is he passionate about? Michael is passionate about the Innocence Project, a national litigation and public policy organization committed to vindicating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to inhibit future injustice. He is also passionate about Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization based in West Palm Beach, FL. They provide hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in Canada and the United States under twenty-one who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Locks of Love wants to help restore children and young adult's self-esteem and confidence, allowing them to face the world and their peers.

Motivation, A Rewarding Position, Favorite Quote, Michael's Goals and Final Thoughts

What motivates Michael to work as a recruiter everyday? "Knowing what I do has a positive impact on my candidates' lives. It intrinsically makes me feel better. I am helping change people's lives for the better."

Does he find his position rewarding? "Yes, because next to choosing your spouse, choosing a job affects your life. As a recruiter, I am helping people make changes in their life. I have impacted their life in a positive way and I find this rewarding."

Michael's favorite quote is by Roger Penske: "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

Does he have goals? "To be happy and healthy. I believe in setting your goals and writing them down."

Is there anything else you care to share professionally or personally? "I tell attorneys if you are not interested in a job, don't be quick to hang up the phone on a recruiter. Things can change, and having a relationship with a recruiter can be advantageous during the course of your career."