Macrae Names Chief Operating Officer
September 8, 2020 – Global legal executive search firm Macrae, formerly known as Mlegal, has appointed Laurie Caplane as chief operating officer. She will be based in New York.
“Laurie, whom I’ve known and greatly respected in a professional capacity for many years, is a natural fit to take on this vital role as Macrae continues to execute on an ambitious growth plan,” said Joe Macrae, founder and chairman. “She is a proven leader, her deep experience with partner-level recruiting aligns perfectly with Macrae’s focus, and her knowledge of the markets in which we operate is extraordinary. We couldn’t be happier to have her on board.”
Ms. Caplane brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in a variety of professional services and corporate settings to the newly created role. She will be responsible for overseeing recruiters firm-wide, and identifying and capitalizing on ways to enhance operations internally and externally. She will also play a key role directing the firm’s strategic expansion.
Ms. Caplane previously served as senior executive director and managing partner of Major, Lindsey & Africa. As part of her separation agreement from that firm, she will not be contacting Macrae’s law firm clients and candidates in the New York City area for one year.
“I’m excited not only to join a team of true experts in partner recruiting, but to be a part of a thriving organization that is paving its own path in some very innovative ways, from its focus on collaboration and collective intelligence to its unique compensation model to its vision for the future,” said Ms. Caplane.
Ms. Caplane’s professional experience in addition to her previous position includes leadership roles at Geller & Company, Arthur Andersen, Omega Performance and Citibank. She has served on the board of trustees for the United Nations International School, whose members are appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as on the boards of the Women in Law Empowerment Forum, the American Film & Video Association and The Theater of the Open Eye.
Recent Name Change
In July, the firm completed its rebrand to Macrae, which included a new website and positioning to reflect its growth from a two-recruiter team in Northern California in 2001 to a transatlantic boutique with a strong and growing footprint in four of the world’s top legal markets: London, New York, Northern California and Washington, D.C.
“Several years ago we set our sights on expansion beyond California,” said Mr. Macrae. “We envisioned assembling a dream team of recruiters at the top of their game who would collaborate seamlessly to deliver a far more sophisticated and expert service focused on law firm partner recruitment than anything else out there. I’m proud to say we’ve done it. We’re excited to enter our next phase as Macrae, with a new look and a unique business model for which we see growing demand.”
Ms. Caplane is just the latest industry veteran to join Macrae. Over the past several years the firm has expanded from three recruiters to 12, attracting some top professionals in the business including Natasha Innocenti in Northern California, Robert Delicate in New York, Jane Roberts and Lauren Drake in Washington, D.C., and Melinda Wallman and Andy Russell in London. Macrae aims to grow its recruiter ranks to an optimal team of 20 within the next few years, with an emphasis on adding top-level talent in New York and Washington, D.C.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
