HOW 4 TOP CLOs Hire More with Less

If you have spent time scaling your legal team in the last nine months, you know that there is a balance to be struck in terms of getting the additional support you need while managing constrained resources.

In this edition of the Kerwin Newsletter, four prominent CLOs, Kate Karas, Bill Berry, Daniel Brennan, and John Saia share their exclusive insights on hiring more with less. When faced with economic uncertainties that limit growth, how does their thought process change around hiring? How do they prioritize their team's needs versus business objectives? What advice can they provide job seekers who are navigating and trying to stand out in this market? See what these impressive leaders have to say…

Kate Karas

General Counsel at Chime

“Give me more bad news!” One of the best executives with whom I’ve worked says this to her team in times of constraint. You can’t drive as far as you intended if your allotment of gas is cut in half, and her point was the same: where resources are tight, let’s be constantly communicative about the trade-offs and creativities required to arrive at our final destination."

Bill Berry

General Counsel at Verkada

"I don’t view the fact that an applicant was impacted by layoffs or RIFs as a negative at all; in fact, layoffs almost always flood the market with amazingly talented lawyers. When I joined Verkada last year, we were in that enviable position of hiring in a down market – and we continue to be. And I’m really excited about the amazing people we’ve hired already (in this down market) – and the team we’ve started to build here. I think perhaps the one challenge that presents itself more acutely in a down market is when you are recruiting someone who currently has a job. Even if they don’t love their current job, they are still reluctant to risk a switch in times of economic uncertainty."

Daniel Brennan

Chief Legal Officer at Dataiku

"Growing the Legal team thoughtfully and responsibly is a big part of my job in any market. Decisions about when and whether to hire always comes down to the needs of the business at the time."

John Saia

Chief Legal Officer at Guardant Health

"Otherwise, if your team’s growth is constrained, you may need to have a frank conversation with your business leaders around realistic expectations on service levels. Meaning, it may take a day or two longer to get a question answered, or a contract completed."