Lawson Legal Recruiters is a national legal recruiting firm specializing in permanent attorney placements at both law firms and in-house.

About Us

Our recruiters are attorneys, who draw their experience from decades of practicing at the most prestigious law firms, corporations, and government agencies in the world. We provide our candidates with hands-on, personal and responsive service, and handle each resume with the utmost confidentiality and integrity.

Gayle N. Moran
Principal and Founder

Gayle graduated at the top of her class from Fordham Law School in 1992, and received her undergraduate degree with high honors from SUNY Binghamton in 1989. Gayle began her legal career as a commercial litigator with Sills Cummis — one of New Jersey’s most prominent law firms. Thereafter, Gayle went on to become a litigation partner at the national law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll (now Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney) where she practiced for more than seven years.

After retiring from the practice of law in 2003, Gayle began working as a recruiter specializing in permanent attorney placements at both law firms and in-house legal departments throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. In this capacity, Gayle places highly qualified attorneys at all levels with both publicly traded and privately held corporations and law firms. Additionally, Gayle served as Director of Martindale-Hubbell’s Counsel to Counsel forums. 

In that role, Gayle facilitated candid and intimate discussions between in-side corporate counsel and their outside law firms.  As such, Gayle maintains a keen understanding of the inside/outside counsel relationship and the demands concurrent with both roles, which is extraordinarily helpful when recruiting attorneys for either type of position.

As a recruiter, Gayle developed a high quality, purpose driven talent acquisition team that takes pride in being ambassadors for their clients, and ultimately in the success of the candidates they bring into the recruiting process. Moreover, Gayle continually meets with existing clients and industry professionals to promote stronger relationships and source outstanding candidates. With over 1000 existing clients and more than 14,000 contacts in her recruiting network, Gayle brings invaluable connections to every company she recruits for.

Jennifer Padawer
Recruiter

Jenn Padawer is a former sales executive and strategic advisor known for identifying high-caliber talent and helping organizations build strong, high-performing teams. With a background in executive leadership and performance coaching, she brings a unique lens to recruiting—looking beyond résumés to understand how individuals think, operate under pressure, and contribute to culture and results. Jenn has spent her career working closely with founders, executives, and sales organizations to scale teams, refine hiring decisions, and elevate performance.

Her ability to quickly assess people, communicate clearly, and align talent with business goals makes her a trusted partner in the recruiting process. In her fractional work with firms and leadership teams, Jenn focuses on sourcing exceptional candidates, guiding hiring conversations, and helping organizations make confident talent decisions that support long-term growth. She is based in New Jersey and works with companies and professional service firms across the country.

  • What separates Gayle from other professionals in her field is her honesty and integrity in providing thoughtful and intelligent counsel throughout the process. She has outstanding connections, is extremely diligent, and is a pleasure to work with.

    —David Freylikhman, Shareholder Greenberg Traurig

  • I have hired Gayle on many occasions. Unlike many other recruiters, Gayle doesn't just throw resumes at me, but rather pays attention to my requirements, screens the applicants, and always seems to introduce me to very attractive candidates.

    —Robert Klausner, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP

  • Gayle knows her business better than anyone I've worked with and understands her client's needs. Because of this, she only sends superlative candidates, thereby streamlining the hiring process and saving her clients valuable time. I wouldn't work with anyone else.

    —Stephanie Kay, Partner, The Kay Law Firm LLC

  • Having been a shareholder at an AmLaw 200 firm, Gayle completely understands how law firms work; this gives her an invaluable advantage when negotiating professional transitions for attorneys. Her integrity is beyond reproach, and she brings keen negotiating instincts to her work.

    —Roger Quinland, Partner, Gordon & Rees LLP

  • Gayle recruited me in 2003 for an in-house legal position with Verizon Wireless. It was a great move for me. I've been there almost 12 years now. She was terrific to work with and got results - nothing I write could say more.

    —Paul Nolting, Senior Counsel, Verizon Wireless

  • I have worked with Gayle both from the hiring perspective as well as the placement perspective and I have found her to be knowledgeable, responsive and pleasant to work with. She has shown an excellent understanding of the process and works on behalf of her clients to achieve the best result for them while at the same time making sure to meet the needs of the hiring entity.

    —Martin Wilson, General Counsel, Teligent, Inc.

  • Gayle is a rarity in the recruiting field: a no-nonsense straight shooter with only your interests at heart. I gave Gayle a list of likes and dislikes, and she honored those and found me an excellent fit. I couldn't endorse her more highly.

    —Frank Derby, Managing Partner, Derby & Associates

  • I have had the pleasure of knowing Gayle for several years. She has provided me with invaluable assistance and advice in connection with my transition from one position to another. Gayle is a first-rate recruiter who is personable, honest and extremely knowledgeable about the legal industry. I have the highest regard for her abilities.

    —Ken Kaplan, Principal, Kaplan Williams & Graffeo LLC

  • Gayle was consistently timely, accurate and thorough in assisting me. These attributes go a long way in smoothing the rough edges of the recruiting process - for both the company and the recruit. I can unreservedly recommend Gayle.

    —Jim Foyil, Division Counsel, Boeing Company

  • What makes Gayle different than any other recruiter is that she is not looking to simply place a lawyer in any open position, but wants to ensure that the fit is right for the lawyer and that it furthers the lawyer's professional goals and leads to job fulfillment and happiness.

    —Daniel Kratka, Partner, Wilens & Baker, P.C.