Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Personal Life

Alisa Levitt is the founder and President of Levitt & Associates, Inc., a search firm based in Orange County, CA. Levitt & Associates specializes in placing attorneys in all practice areas in international, national, local, and boutique law firms across the State of California.


Prior to founding her company, Alisa worked as a real estate paralegal for a New York City law firm before she relocated to San Diego and joined a California based law firm. She began her legal recruiting career in 1992 working for Exclusively Legal, and was the top producer her first year. Alisa then relocated to Orange County in 1994 and joined Leigh & Associates where she was promoted to Managing Partner of the Attorney Division. In 1997, she established Levitt & Associates. Her success is due to her high standards and integrity, knowledge of the legal community, and long-term relationships that have been developed over the years in the industry.

Alisa was born in Brooklyn and raised in Riverhead, NY. She earned her B.A. degree in Paralegal Studies and went on to work as a real estate paralegal for a law firm in Manhattan. Alisa has a nineteen-year-old son, Andrew, who is a sophomore at University of Southern California on a golf scholarship.

When the legal recruiter isn't working, she enjoys traveling. Alisa has traveled a number of places outside the U.S. such as Italy, Paris, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Israel, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, and the Bahamas. She is a frequent visitor of Newport Beach's Mastro's because it's the only restaurant in Orange County where she can get her Maine lobster craving satisfied. Alisa roots for the New York Yankees and USC men's golf team. Her favorite authors include John Grisham, James Patterson and Stephen King. Although the proud New Yorker misses Christmas in the Big Apple, Alisa goes back periodically. She was there to see the Christmas tree lighting in 2012 in Rockefeller Center and plans to go back again this year.

Alisa's Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters

Does Alisa have a top memory from school? "I was determined to achieve straight A's while working during the day and going to college full-time in the evenings."

What does it take to become a successful legal recruiter? "If you want to be a successful recruiter, it takes a person with a high level of integrity and initiative who truly wants to make a difference in someone else's life. Desire, dedication, and determination are my 3 d's to success." When asked how she embodies these characteristics personally and professionally, Alisa replied:

"That's how I live my life both professionally and personally. I love people and one of the greatest joys in life is helping to make someone else's life just a little bit better. If I wasn't a legal recruiter I would be a matchmaker. To me, they are one and the same. As a legal recruiter you're helping to find a career match and as a matchmaker you're helping to find a love match."

What motivated Alisa to become a recruiter? She claimed:

"I was working at a law firm as a real estate paralegal when the real estate market took a dip and work slowed down. I always wanted to help people in some capacity so when I came across an opportunity to work as a legal recruiter, I knew that's what I wanted to do. There was never any turning back after that."

Why did Alisa enter the industry? "It seemed like the perfect match for me. I had law firm experience and genuine interest in helping others."

Alisa discussed what she is professionally known for. "I am known for my high level of integrity, willingness to go the extra mile, and dedication to the profession as well as my knowledge and connections in the California legal market."

The businesswoman also discussed her strengths and one weakness as a recruiter. "I think my biggest strength is that I listen when my candidate and/or client speaks. I want to know what's important to them and what they're looking for so I can make that 'perfect' match or get as close to perfection as I can so that everyone is happy at the end of the day." Speaking about her weakness, Alisa acknowledged, "My biggest weakness is that I want to help everyone and, unfortunately, there's not enough time in a day."

So what is Alisa's advice to new recruiters? "Recruit because you want to help better someone else's life. If you have a desire to be a legal recruiter, are dedicated to doing the best job possible, and determined not to give up, you will have an opportunity to be very successful."

Considering her twenty-one years of experience in the legal recruiting industry, where does Alisa see the legal field in the next five years? She noted:

"There have been a number of alternative ways (other than working for the traditional big firm) to practice law popping up recently so I think traditional law firms are going to need to change with the times. They are going to find it more and more difficult to recruit the best candidates with new career options becoming available to attorneys these days. I recently wrote an article entitled 'Is There Alternative Life Inside and Outside of Big Law.' It describes the different avenues attorneys are taking outside of working for big law firms."

Where does she see the legal search field in the next five years? "It depends on what happens with big firms. We are seeing a shift. More and more big firms are merging with other firms, partners are leaving to start their own small firms, and associates are leaving big firms to go in house or take a more nontraditional route. Legal recruiters will always be around, but they may need to change the way they do business as the world changes around them."

What does Alisa look for to find the right fit? What makes a great candidate? "It depends on the culture and requirements of my clients."

Speaking about what makes a great candidate, Alisa stated, "Someone who is articulate, bright, motivated, has done well academically and professionally, and willing to trust my ability as a successful legal recruiter."

Does she have a recipe for a perfect match? "I don't know if there is a recipe for a perfect match. Nothing is ever perfect. I try to get as close to perfection as I can. Once I define what my client is looking for, I try to match them with the appropriate candidates and vice versa."

How does Alisa process fear? "I know that whatever it is I'm fearful of is never going to be as bad as the fear itself."

How does the businesswoman tackle obstacles? "I tackle my obstacles head on."

Has Alisa learned something of value from her mistakes? "Absolutely. The only mistake someone can make is not learning from their mistakes. I've definitely learned a few lessons along the way."

Where does Alisa get her confidence? "I think it takes time and experience to become a truly confident person. My confidence comes from the ability to move beyond fear and face obstacles head on."

Professional Associations, Non Profit Organizations, Most Inspiring Influence and Favorite Quote

Alisa is a member of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC), a voluntary organization of legal recruiters that adhere to the highest ethical standards in the profession.

Does the recruiter work with any non-profit organizations? "Yes, I am a committee member of the Orange County Chapter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I was a member of the OC Chapter of Childhelp USA for several years assisting with their annual golf tournaments and charity events. I have assisted in a number of silent auctions for schools and non-profit organizations." Alisa continued to say that her company donates to the American Cancer Society, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, National MS Society, Orange County Rescue Mission, and the Orangewood Children's Foundation. Most recently The Levitt Family Trust donated a one week stay at the Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club in Kaui as an auction item at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital charity event held on October 26, 2013 and her company purchased a table for ten at the event held in 2012.

Does she admire any non-profits or members of a non-profit? "Yes, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Childhelp USA are near and dear to my heart because it's all about children."

Alisa emphasized that her son is the most inspiring individual in her life. She asserted:

"When he was in high school he had won a number of junior SCPGA golf tournaments, AJGA golf tournaments, broke the course record at Mission Viejo Country Club in CA by shooting a 4-under-par 67, was MVP on his high school golf team several years in a row, and was being recruited by a number of major universities to play golf. His last year in high school he struggled with his game and has been fighting to find his way back ever since. By sheer will, tenacity, and hard work he's almost back to where he was. I'm humbled by his commitment and dedication to the game."

Alisa's favorite quote is by the Dalai Lama: "Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." She said the quote resonates with her because everyone is in charge of their own destiny and making their own happiness.

Alisa's Mentor and Mentoring Others, Facing Obstacles and Her Passions

Does Alisa have a mentor? "Yes, Jim and Cindy Leigh from Leigh & Associates are my mentors." How did this relationship assist you in your career? "They offered me an opportunity to manage the attorney division of their company." Is Alisa currently acting as a mentor? "Yes, I mentor my candidates on their careers." She also admitted that younger recruiters have contacted her for advice.

Has she faced any obstacles in her life? "Of course, hasn't everyone? When I came back from my honeymoon at the end of 1991 there was very little real estate work at the law firm I worked at and it was difficult to make my hours. It was time to rethink my career path." How did you get through the obstacle? "I reinvented myself. I became a legal recruiter."

What causes is Alisa passionate about? "Any cause that provides help to our children. If I had more time I would be involved in animal causes. I have a dog and two cats and love animals."

Motivation, A Rewarding Position, Alisa's Goals and Final Thoughts

What motivates Alisa to be a recruiter every day? "Helping others improve their lives."

Does she find her position rewarding? "Very. I can help people improve their lives and get paid for doing something I love doing."

Does the New Yorker have goals? "As an empty nester I have more time on my hands so I've partnered with another recruiter to expand my business to placing attorneys in-house in California." How does Alisa plan on achieving her goals? "Hard work and networking, networking, and more networking."

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself professional or personally? "I'm in a great place in my life right now and excited about the next chapter in my life."

What to Expect When Working with Alisa

Malcolm S. McNeil, a partner and International Practice Group Co-chair at Fox Rothschild, LLP, said:

"Ms. Levitt is a seasoned professional in the attorney placement field. I have known her for over 12 years and consider her a professional contact and friend. She is adept at matching firms and candidates and her follow through is impeccable. I recommend her to firms and candidates alike, without reservation."

Timothy Menter, a partner at Menter & Witkin acknowledged:

"I have worked with Alisa for over 13 years. She has always been very professional, ethical, and responsive with respect to our attorney candidate searches. Alisa is my 'go to' recruiter and I look forward to a continued excellent working relationship with her. I would definitely recommend Alisa's services."

Nicole Minkow, a senior employment counsel at Pearlman, Borska & Wax claimed:

"I have known Alisa since I was a first year attorney. She has always been supportive and understanding of my career needs and desire for growth. Alisa's thoughtful and targeted search landed me with a nationally recognized employment law firm. Alisa's guidance and advice was always on target and given with my best interests in mind. As the Chair of the Employment Law Department of my current firm, I would not hesitate to call on Alisa to fill our attorney needs."