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Dan Binstock | Legal Recruiter, Washington, DC | Head, Partner Practice Group | Garrison Search.jpg
Dan Binstock | Legal Recruiters in Washington DC

Dan Binstock

Partner

1627 I Street, NW

Suite 1230

Washington, DC 20006

dbinstock@g-s.com

202.559.0472

Prior to becoming a legal recruiter in 2004, Dan practiced intellectual property law with Finnegan Henderson, a national intellectual property boutique based in Washington, DC. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law, where he served as editor on the International Law Review. Dan received his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Maryland while working as pianist for the musical political comedy troupe The Capitol Steps.

  • Named by LawDragon as one of the top 100 legal consultants and strategists for the past eight consecutive years (2017-Present).
     

  • Past President, National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC), 2018-2021
     

  • Chair, Ethics Committee, NALSC, 2015-2018, 2023 - Present
     

  • Board Member, American Bar Association Legal Career Central, 2017-2018

REPRESENTATIVE PLACEMENTS

ACCOLADES AND LEADERSHIP

MEDIA, WRITING, AND SPEAKING

Dan has placed hundreds of attorneys, and his expertise placing partners, groups, and high-level government attorneys covers a wide range of practice areas, which he has honed over the past 20 years.   Recent examples include:

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  • Government investigations practice group into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • Financial services and banking regulatory practice into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • White collar/securities enforcement practice into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • Privacy partner into mid-sized AmLaw firm

  • High-level DOJ attorney from the Fraud Section into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • Head of global clean energy practice into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • Investment management partner into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • High-level antitrust attorney from the FTC into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • Banking regulatory/FinTech partner into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • Copyright litigation partner into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • High-level CFTC attorney as partner into mid-sized AmLaw firm

  • Patent prosecution practice into mid-sized AmLaw firm

  • CFIUS partner into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • Health care practice into mid-sized AmLaw firm

  • High level insurance litigation and regulatory firm into mid-sized AmLaw firm

  • Structure finance practice into top-tier AmLaw Firm

  • Global immigration practice into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • Political law practice into mid-sized AmLaw firm

  • Bankruptcy partner into top-tier Magic Circle firm

  • Patent litigation practice into IP boutique

  • Real estate/land use practice into mid-sized AmLaw firm

  • FinTech/blockchain practice into top-tier AmLaw firm

  • Energy practice into mid-sized AmLaw firm

  • National security attorney from the DOJ as a partner into a technology boutique

TESTIMONIALS

"I’ve had the opportunity to work with many recruiters, and your acuity, professionalism and collegiality have set a new standard. I look forward to continuing to work with you."
Managing Partner, AmLaw 50 Firm

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“His advice is so well-reasoned, and he’s masterful at recognizing the real issues and helping you navigate all the emotions.” 
Corporate/Finance Partner, AmLaw 5 Firm 

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“I kept hearing Dan’s name as the ‘go to’ recruiter for partners and now I know why.  There is truly no one like him. Recruiter, Therapist, Spiritual Guide. He is all in one. Dan is an expert on the market and on the recruiting process, and has the unique insight of someone who knows everyone in the legal field and the directions in which things are moving. His process helps the candidate clarify their goals early and do the hard work of preparation on the front end. He holds your hand during the entire process so that you will never feel alone through the difficult stages. Dan is unfailingly honest and always encouraging. Law firms trust him also, so he is able to broker a great fit for all involved. I would never work with anyone else.”
Co-Chair, Financial Services Practice, AmLaw 50 Firm

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"Dan transforms the experience of working with a recruiter. He is tough when he needs to be, but more importantly there for you when you need him the most. He is quite simply the best recruiter I have ever worked with."
Co-Head, Financial Regulatory Practice, AmLaw 25 Firm

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“Simple words on paper don’t do justice to understanding and appreciating Dan Binstock.  You have to speak to Dan to fully appreciate the kind of professional guide, mentor, and friend he can become.”
Co-Chair, Government Contracts Practice, AmLaw 100 Firm 

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“You achieved my objective, you were patient throughout, you corrected my missteps with grace, and you sorted out the best firms. But more than all that, you became my trusted counselor during a difficult economic and, yes, emotional time. I have never seen anyone in your business do that."
Partner and Former GC of Fortune 100 Company

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"Dan takes the time to understand law firms and lawyers on a deeper personal level that is meaningful, which translates into the genesis of a greater match when lawyers merge into a new law firm.  The result is powerful because everyone is working in the same direction with common goals and methods of achieving those goals.  In our case, Dan quickly assessed personalities and created a match that fits like a glove.  The team could not be happier, and the law firm is thrilled.  Both sides are stronger and thriving because of this match.  We have Dan to thank for this."
Co-Chair, Health Care Practice, AmLaw 100 Firm

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“When my partners and I decided that our clients would be better served by combining with a firm with a national footprint, we were fortunate to have Dan Binstock by our side as we embarked on our search. He took the time to get to know us and understood what mattered most to us—finding a firm built on the principles that matched our own. Dan is, quite simply, a consummate professional and a fine person. We are so glad he was part of our team.”
Former Managing Partner of a Chambers-ranked Boutique

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"I have now made three lateral moves in my 20 years of practicing law. Dan managed the last one, and it was by far the smoothest and most rewarding. Dan found a great match for me at a firm where I have doubled the size of my practice in just one year. I highly recommend Dan and have referred colleagues to him."
Partner, AmLaw 100 Firm

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“Dan's in-depth knowledge of the DC legal marketplace, particularly coupled with his caring attitude and superior negotiation skills, makes him the most effective placement professional I have yet to come in contact with.  I would not have made the move to my new firm without him -- he truly helped make the transition a success for all involved.”
Partner and Head of Trademark Practice at IP Boutique

I love music, and during the pandemic I developed an online piano bar concept called Virtual Piano Party.  I am known to my two teenage daughters and on Instagram and TikTok as @PianoDadDan, which has over one million followers who try to stump me with piano requests.  My favorite music is the 80s.   

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I also serve as the President of a charitable giving foundation supporting a range of non-profits both locally and nationally.

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I live in Potomac, Maryland (where I grew up) with my wife, two daughters, and two Cavapoos, Maggie and Tucker. 

CREDENTIALS AND PAST EXPERIENCE

OVERVIEW

Dan focuses on lateral partners and practice groups.  A veteran legal recruiter based in Washington, DC, he's placed hundreds of attorneys and brokered many high-profile partner and practice group moves, as well as high-level government transitions to private practice. His clients range from top AmLaw firms to premiere boutiques in DC and throughout the US.  

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Highlights:

  • Ethics Chair and Past President, National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC).

  • Columnist, "Dear Dan:  Demystifying Legal Recruiters" (The American Lawyer). 

  • Top 100 Global Legal Consultant and Strategist (LawDragon, 2017 – Present).  

  • Founding Editor, LateralPartners.com.

  • Author, "The Attorney's Guide to Using (Or Not Using) Legal Recruiters" (2016).

  • Advisor to top law schools on the DC market.  

Working with candidates

A lateral transition has unanticipated speed bumps, and Dan's process helps you minimize disruption to your current practice while you navigate each step of your transition. He facilitates tailored interactions with the firms you are considering and anticipates potential sticking points, which provides a “two-steps ahead” perspective that generates sound counsel at each stage of the process. This includes: - Sharing non-publicly available insight about different firms, including deep financial performance information as it relates to peers, track record of recent hires and departures, and other relevant information. - Assisting with the confidential preparation and presentation of your materials. - Coordinating and ensuring that you are well-prepared for meetings. - Guiding you through and assisting with the often voluminous and complex Lateral Partner Questionnaires (LPQs) and other due diligence. - Helping analyze competing offers and the pros/cons of each using proprietary comparison tools that help bring significant clarity to your decision-making process. - Negotiating compensation terms on your behalf, which includes analysis of market norms for leverage. - Strategizing notice to your current firm and helping you create a tailored transition plan, and helping connect you with ethics counsel when necessary.

"Dan is much more than a placement agent.  He’s a strategic advisor about your career.  That’s a distinguishing factor that puts him in a class of his own."  
-Corporate/Finance Partner, AmLaw 5 Firm   

Working with employers

Dan’s unique approach has led to firms hiring him on a retained and/or consulting basis. He has developed useful tools to help firms develop or update their narratives in a clear and comprehensive fashion that will resonate with today’s target partners. Dan has also distinguished himself for his ability to bring candidates to the table for confidential discussions, especially those who are not on the market. As an AmLaw 10 partner on the hiring side recently shared, “Every partner we interviewed through you spent the first few minutes praising you as a recruiter and said they would not be here if not for you. We have worked with the largest search firms in the country and have never seen results like this.”

"I wish Dan could be my recruiter for all of our 30+ offices. He is by far the best legal recruiter I have worked with in my 25 years…With Dan, I feel like I truly 'get what I pay for.'"
-Chair, Partner Recruiting and Integration, AmLaw 100 Firm

OUTSIDE THE OFFICE

Dan brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the complex world in which he and his clients function. He is always willing to share what he has learned over decades of practice and what he sees as important current trends through the articles and books he writes, as well as the many interviews he gives to journalists covering the legal industry.

 

Recent Articles (as industry commentator)​​

 

Recent Articles (as author)

 

Books

  • The Attorneys Guide to Using (Or Not Using) Legal Recruiters: Answers to Important Questions Most Attorney’s Don’t Know to Ask … But Should, Amazon, 2015

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH ME

You'll receive market intelligence, access to decision makers, protection of your confidentiality, and seasoned guidance based on 20 years in the market. Because the smallest details can make the biggest difference, my approach is discreet and exacting in a way that brings you confidence and calm.  The lateral partner process involves unanticipated bumps and blind spots, and I’m at my best when counseling you through them. I'm an open book, and you'll hopefully feel more at ease by having a (proudly and slightly OCD) confidant and seasoned advocate in your corner at every stage. 
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