JM Search Expands Search Team
September 23, 2026 – JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of proven executive leadership,” the firm explained. “Shockey adds depth to JM Search’s legal capabilities, while Walker introduces specialized expertise in sports leadership recruitment.”
With 25 years of experience across legal and executive search, Ms. Shockey has built an extensive network of legal leaders across industries, including general counsel, chief compliance officers, and other senior legal executives. Leveraging a longstanding specialization in the energy and infrastructure sector, she also brings deep relationships across the broader C-suite and boardroom. Ms. Shockey formerly served as managing director – in house group at Major, Lindsey & Africa.
At JM Search, Ms. Shockey advises private equity firms, portfolio companies, and growth-oriented organizations on legal leadership searches, executive team builds, and board recruitment.
“Amber has built an exceptional reputation and track record over the course of her career in executive search,” said Dan Figueroa, partner and practice leader for the legal services team. “We’re thrilled to have her as part of our growing team, and her depth of experience and market knowledge bring a truly differentiated perspective to JM Search.”
Mr. Walker joins JM Search as a principal and member of the firm’s media & telecommunications team, specializing in sports leadership recruitment, a new area of focus for JM Search. Bringing more than a decade of executive search and industry experience, he has held prior roles as head of sports, media, and entertainment at JLB Search and vice president at ZRG’s Turnkey Group.
“Sports represents an exciting new area of growth for JM Search, and Curtis brings the depth of industry insight and executive search experience needed to build this capability with credibility,” said Tom Figueroa, managing partner. “His perspective on the market, understanding of the leadership landscape, and experience advising organizations across the sector will be invaluable as we expand our work in sports.”
JM Search is an advisor to CEOs, investors, and boards of directors in recruiting, assessing, and delivering high performance leaders and transformational leadership teams. Its clients include private equity firms and portfolio companies, venture capital-backed businesses, and publicly held companies across North America.
Related: JM Search Names Co-Practice Leader for Media, Entertainment, Martech & Communications Practice
Founded in 1980, the JM Search recruiting team brings together former operating and financial executives, investors and experienced search professionals with deep industry specialization, functional expertise, and proven access to talent spanning multiple industry sectors.
Recent Additions
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale investments. From talent diligence and CEO succession to team integration and leadership development, human capital decisions now influence outcomes across the entire investment lifecycle.
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Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial services and technology practices. Collectively, they bring experience spanning executive search, commercial leadership, in-house talent strategy, and organizational change.
“The appointments come as clients across private equity, banking, and technology face increasingly complex leadership decisions tied to growth, transformation, and operational scale,” the firm said.
The firmed noted that these additions further strengthen a technology practice that continues to gain momentum across the market. JM Search was recently name to Hunt Scanlon’s Technology Top 50, recognizing leading executive search firms serving the technology sector.
Related: JM Search Appoints Partners
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
