Lochlin Partners Recruits General Counsel for National Audubon Society
July 31, 2023 – Legal recruiting continues to be a hot area for search firms. Lawyers employed by government agencies in particular have been on the move in recent months. Demand for legal work is expected to be robust as individuals, businesses, and all levels of government require legal services in the U.S. and internationally. Executive search firm Lochlin Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Charlotte Young as the new general counsel of the National Audubon Society.
Ms. Young brings more than 35 years of experience as a practicing attorney. She has a wealth of expertise in risk assessment, non-profit governance, compliance, investigation, and management. Prior to joining Audubon, Ms. Young served as general counsel at Winrock International, a non-profit with a mission to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources. Prior to that, she held several leadership roles with The Nature Conservancy, including chief ethics and compliance officer, privacy officer, and youth safety officer.
Additionally, Ms. Young has been an active member of several non-profit boards, including Freshfarm Markets, Planned Parenthood of DC, and New Endeavors by Women.
Related: Lochlin Partners Finds Chief Policy Officer for the American Bankers Association
Established in 1905, The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action.
Experienced Search Consultants
Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Lochlin Partners is an executive search firm that helps organizations find C-level and other senior-level talent. The firm’s model was designed to deliver quality results by a process that is more detailed, collaborative, transparent and timely than the large-firm model allows. “We do this because we understand that each executive level position is unique and that a personal, custom approach is the most effective means of finding the best placement for our clients’ needs,” said the firm.
Inside the High Demand for General Counsel Leaders
The legal and compliance market is booming. The number of in-house lawyers and law firm partners with aspirations of becoming a general counsel is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, landing the position is a challenge. Every search has specific criteria established by the executive leadership team and board which must be met. Some of the criteria could include specific industry experience or business knowledge, a background in public company securities and governance, as well as expertise in regulatory, compliance, litigation, M&A, employment/labor law, intellectual property, government relations, leadership, career track record, law firm training, law school ranking, and the list goes on, according to Robert Barker, co-founder and managing partner of BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams.
“Keep in mind cultural fit and soft skills which cannot be found on the resume are equally important,” he said. “And diversity can play a major factor in the CEO and board’s final decision. Most are using the general counsel position as a means of adding diversity to the executive leadership team,” he added. The demand for excellence is understandable as the general counsel plays such a critical role. One wrong answer or move during the interview process can lead to immediate disqualification. “Even after an offer is made, any red flag demonstrating a lack of judgment or ethics discovered during the background investigation will lead to a retraction,” said Mr. Barker.
Lochlin Partners conducts searches for board and executive-level positions within government and corporate affairs, government contracting, technology and services, higher education, the public sector, financial services, and healthcare. The firm is led by managing partners Liza Wright, Pat Friel, and Mike Kirkman. Each of the managing partners has been in the search business for 20 or more years and has been a partner in one of the four large international firms—and in most cases has run a major office or practice at those firms.
Recent Search
Lochlin Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Emily Kunchala as the new treasurer and CFO for the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Washington, D.C. She succeeds Albert G. Horvath, who recently moved into the CEO position. “We are very pleased that Emily has agreed to join ACS,” said Mr. Horvath. “She brings with her impressive experience in the finance area, and she understands how to effectively work in an environment aimed at supporting science and education endeavors. She is a strong, positive communicator, and I look forward to her joining our leadership team.”
American Chemical Society is a non-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. Its mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The organization is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, E-books and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News.
Related: Lochlin Partners Assists SOME with CEO Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
