Themis Search

Specialist legal recruitment solutions

About Themis Search.

Strategically headquartered in Singapore, at the crossroads of the Asian legal market, Themis Search is a specialized legal talent advisory with a decade of recruitment experience in APAC, providing search solutions for the most prestigious law firms and multinational companies across Singapore and Asia.

Named after the Greek Titaness of law and justice, Themis is traditionally depicted carrying scales and a sword to represent balance and judgment.

Our values

  • One of the few regional specialists with nearly a decade of expertise in the Asian legal markets. This tenured presence ensures a level of nuanced market intelligence that only long-term commitment provides.

  • We’re not just here for the now. We view ourselves as career-long interlocutors, committed to providing the steady continuity required to navigate an ever-changing legal landscape.

  • In the high-stakes legal markets of APAC, discretion is our primary mandate. We operate with absolute confidentiality. Trust is the essential currency required to protect the reputations of the leaders and institutions we represent.

  • We bring structure where it counts and adaptability where it matters. Moving beyond generic recruitment. We guide through essential hires and career-defining milestones with the precision the legal industry demands.

We provide a suite of talent acquisition solutions, working with leading international and local law firms, as well as MNC’s. We recognize that every lateral move is a delicate balance of technical expertise and cultural alignment; therefore, we offer distinct engagement models tailored to the specific urgency and sensitivity of each mandate.

Services for employers

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  • Our most comprehensive service, suited for critical or time sensitive roles and senior-level acquisitions. This model involves a dedicated process, rigorous market mapping, and a multi-stage vetting process to secure exclusive, market-leading talent.

  • A focused partnership that grants us the time to delve deep into the passive candidate market. This ensures a highly curated shortlist, allowing for a more discreet and controlled recruitment process for specialized practice groups.

  • A flexible, success-based solution for high-caliber junior to mid-level hires. We utilize our extensive network to rapidly identify and introduce pre-vetted candidates who meet the immediate strategic needs of the firm.

  • Whether you are benchmarking a specialized practice group, industry or exploring a strategic market entry, our bespoke reports provide the empirical foundation necessary to attract and retain the industry's most elite practitioners.

Navigating a lateral move requires more than just an introduction; it requires a partner who understands your long-term career vision. From initial contact to securing your next role, we act as your discreet advocate, ensuring every step meets the precision and integrity your career demands. We offer distinct services to the lawyers we partner with, tailored to each profile and career objective.

Services for legal professionals

A person with glasses and a smartwatch sitting at a desk, looking at a laptop screen. The person is gesturing with their hand, and there is another laptop on the desk. The environment appears to be an office or meeting room.

  • At themis, we don’t just move lawyers; we manage trajectories. We provide long-term, objective career counseling that looks beyond the immediate move. By understanding your personal motivations - the order and goals of your life - we help you evaluate lateral moves against your long-term aspirations for partnership, in-house transition, or international relocation across Asia and Europe.

  • In the legal market, a CV is a foundational document that must reflect your technical experience and the value you can add. We offer bespoke CV review and input, helping you restructure your deal sheet and professional narrative to resonate with your target employers. We ensure your professional brand is articulated with the precision and discretion required for high-stakes lateral transitions.

  • We provide candidates with market insights, from real-time compensation benchmarking in Singapore to the shifting cultural nuances of firms across Asia. Throughout the recruitment journey, we serve as your expert guide - managing the delicate interview processes, providing technical brief preparation, and leading the social-assessment coaching to ensure you navigate every "gate" with confidence and clarity.

A smiling man wearing a suit jacket and white shirt with a city skyline in the background.
A smiling man wearing a suit jacket and white shirt with a city skyline in the background.

Lionel Vanello
Founder, Director

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I am a Singapore-based legal headhunter, drawing on nearly a decade of dedicated expertise in the local and wider APAC legal markets.

I help leading international and local firms, as well as in-house legal teams with their hiring needs across levels.

My career is defined by a deep geographic reach, having spent four years at the heart of Tokyo’s legal sector before transitioning to Singapore in 2021, where I have spent my time navigating one of the world’s most dynamic legal hubs.

M:+65 8991 2990
E: lionel.vanello@themis-search.com
EA Registration Nr.: R2197535

  • "I had a great experience working with Lionel. He’s kind, easy to talk to, and genuinely looks out for the lawyers he works with. I always felt supported throughout the process. I’d happily recommend him to anyone looking for a recruiter who truly has your back."

    — Project Finance Associate

  • "Quick to respond and resourceful. Lionel always shares practical insights. Very pleasant to work with."

    — HR Manager, Law Firm

  • "If you need to work with a professional recruiter who stands by you and supports you till you achieve what you want to achieve, then look no further. Lionel is your man."

    — Senior Legal Manager, Consulting Firm

  • "My experience with Lionel Vanello has been excellent. Initially I was not sure of signing contract as we want to control the number of agents we work with. Within no time, Lionel was successful to win my trust by clearly understanding the details and process with our company. He is always been very prompt, careful with details and great listener. "

    — Head of HR

  • "The service provided throughout the hiring process was excellent. Lionel had great insight into the market and the candidates and also had very good understanding of our true need. Right candidates, appropriate inputs for our decision making and professional advice in closing phase."

    - HR, Pharmaceutical Company

  • "Lio had a good grasp of what the client wants and does his homework thoroughly. His advice is accurate, appropriate and proactive. It was a pleasure working through him."

    - Senior Associate, Finance

  • "It was a real pleasure to work with Lio on hiring a counsel. He worked in a very efficient and professional manner, communicating very well with our HR team and legal team. Thanks to his continued assistance, we have successfully hired a lawyer."

    — General Counsel

Contact us

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