Recruitment Has Never Just Been About Jobs
for me
It’s about people; it’s about real conversations, long-term careers, and building relationships that mean something. I want to create spaces where people feel safe to be themselves. No masks. No pressure.
My door’s always open; there’s no stop watch running because the best connections take time…exactly how it should be.
shaped by family values
MacLean Legal Search was born from shared values, shaped by family and forged through discipline.
I founded the business with my late brother, an exceptional athlete whose approach to sport mirrored the mindset we brought into our work. His methodical, analytical thinking and unwavering focus on performance touched every part of our operation - from strategy to the meticulous research behind every assignment.
I brought my background in law and a lifelong curiosity about people. Together, we built something that felt both personal and purposeful.
At its core, recruitment isn't about ticking boxes. It's about people. Their quirks, strengths, ambitions and the environments where they won’t just function, but thrive.
It's about understanding the human stories behind job titles and creating meaningful, not mechanical, connections. With a legal background and deep respect for the profession, I’ve always believed the best placements are built through trust, curiosity, and genuine relationships - never transactions.
I care deeply about the lawyers and clients I work with. While I focus primarily on transactional practices, I’ve worked across many areas of law. Whatever the brief, my approach remains the same: thoughtful, discreet, tailored and aligned with what’s right for both sides.
I’m especially proud to support women in law, whether stepping into leadership or navigating pivotal transitions.
My commitment extends to all talented professionals looking for their right next move.
I have known Mairi for several years; first as a candidate placed by her in my current role as Group General Counsel and then using her to find candidates for my growing legal team.
What makes Mairi stand out from other legal headhunters is her extraordinary ability to really understand the brief, the personalities involved and the candidate best suited to the role. That, coupled with her expansive professional network, which she is happy to leverage even when there may be no immediate benefit to her, makes her my go to person for all my recruitment needs.
In short, I cannot recommend her highly enough.
GROUP GENERAL COUNSEL
This work is deeply personal.
I built MacLean Legal Search not to scale it but to do things differently, quietly, consciously and with deep respect for the people at the centre of it
I only take on work I believe in and never more than I can give real attention to. I care when things unravel — not because it's a failure, but because it’s human. That’s why I stay curious and invested. It’s about reframing conversations and recognising those moments which make people feel seen and heard. The power is in what remains unsaid… Some of my proudest moments haven’t ended in a placement, but in knowing I stood beside someone when they needed it. That’s what matters. That’s what stays.
Small Chat - Big Shift
OPEN DOOR POLICY - STEP IN.
quietly effective
MacLean Legal Search is about being quietly effective. No noise. No pressure. Just clarity. The recruiter you call when you don’t want a recruiter.
I’m here to offer honest advice, thoughtful strategy, and to be a trusted sounding board over the long term. The most successful placements come down to connection and a commitment to doing things properly.
