A quick snapshot of some recent placements in each of our search sectors:

PARTNERS: Prominent partner placement successes include:

Mary Murphy (and her team), one of the highest profile Real Estate and Land Use partners in California, from Farella Braun & Martel to Gibson Dunn & Crutcher (San Francisco).

Geoff Leonard and Scott Elliott, two of the top emerging company corporate partners in the Bay Area, from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe to Ropes & Gray (San Francisco).

Nicholas van Aelstyn and Ken Finney, two well-known environmental partners from Heller Ehrman to Beveridge & Diamond (San Francisco).

Solutus Legal Search (www.solutuslegal.com), California's premier legal search firm, today announced its Co-Founder Julie Brush, has been selected as the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal's "40 Under 40" People To Watch. "At A Glance:"

As we close the books on 2004, we want to thank all of our clients and candidates for helping to make the year just ended so successful. Our performance for the year supports the conclusion that the California legal market remains in a recovery mode; albeit, a recovery that encounters an occasional speed bump. What follows is a review of 2004 for Solutus "At A Glance:"

Landing the distinction of law firm partner has traditionally been the holy grail for many attorneys. Not only do partners have an ownership interest in the law firm's business and investments, but partners also get to vote on important firm issues.

Times have changed. While the death of the Dot-coms may be greatly exaggerated, there is no question that since the broad stock market sell-off last summer we have witnessed a real change in the legal market, both for in-house and law firms. This change has significant repercussions for how candidates should now approach their job search.

Everyone wants to be an Internet lawyer these days. It sounds cutting-edge, hip, even sexy. But what exactly is an Internet lawyer? You may be surprised to learn that while there are a few practice areas exclusive to the Internet realm, almost any kind of lawyer -- litigator or corporate -- can practice Internet law.

If there's one thing the tight attorney labor market of recent years has done for the profession, it's make law firms more flexible. Attorneys of all ages and both genders, for example, are finding that making partner on a reduced schedule is finally possible

In August the entire country of France comes to a halt. If only that were true in Silicon Valley. You will hear a lot of talk about how August is a slow month, with venture capitalists and investment bankers scattered from Tahoe to the Hamptons. The deal pace will slow down; you'll get a welcome break. Maybe get home in time to watch the Giants hold on to their first place lead--better yet, actually get out to the ball park. Don't hold your breath.

"Well," you can hear some crusty curmudgeon mumbling into his brandy and soda, "they've finally taken leave of their senses." First year salaries at Bay Area firms jump to $145k, sort of. "Base" salaries seem to be settling in at $125k and then either a guaranteed or a discretionary bonus of $20k to $25k brings the compensation up to the $145k mark. Let's put aside for the moment the differences between guaranteed bonuses and base compensation (whatever they are) and whether a discretionary bonus will differ in practice from a guaranteed bonus. Let's also put aside for the moment whether the associates are "worth" such high salaries. We do know one thing. Law firms raised first year salaries (which forced increased adjustments for associates at all levels) because they believe this increase will help them attract and retain associates. Will it?