Dan Binstock, Esq.

Email: dbinstock@g-s.com Phone: (202) 559-0472

"In our research for the leading consultants guide, Binstock earned high praise for his professionalism, collegiality and keen understanding of what makes a great match between lawyers and firms."
LawDragon

"Dan is by far the best legal recruiter I have worked with in my 25 years recruiting partners within a law firm....With Dan, unlike so many other recruiters, I feel like I truly 'get what I pay for' and that makes a big difference when getting buy-in from management. I wish Dan could be my recruiter for all of our 30+ offices."
Chair, Partner Recruiting and Integration, AmLaw 100 Firm

"I’ve had the opportunity to work with many recruiters, and your acuity, professionalism and collegiality have set a new standard."
Managing Partner, AmLaw 50 Firm

"Dan transforms the experience of working with a recruiter. The fact that he cares about his clients personally comes out in the way that he works to bring the best out of them and see themselves in a new light. He is tough when he needs to be, but more importantly there for you when you need him the most. He is quite simply the best recruiter I have ever worked with."
Co-Head, Financial Regulatory Practice, AmLaw 25 Firm

Summary: Dan Binstock is a partner at Garrison & Sisson. With an extensive network and track record placing partners, high-level government attorneys, and practice groups, he connects candidates and law firms in a highly efficient and discreet manner.

-Dan has brokered some of the most significant lateral partner and/or practice group placements.

-Dan is the founder and editor of lateralpartners.com, a detailed guide on lateral partner recruiting.

-LawDragon has named Dan one of the Top 100 Legal Consultants and Strategists for the past six consecutive years (see interview).

-Dan authored "The Attorney's Guide to Using (or Not Using) Legal Recruiters: Answers to Important Questions Most Attorneys Don't Know to Ask ... But Should" (2015).

Industry Leadership and Media:

President (former), National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC).
Chair, Ethics Committee (former), National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC).
Board Member (former), American Bar Association's Legal Career Central.
Frequently called on by law schools (e.g., Harvard Law School, Georgetown Law Center) to serve as an expert adviser on the Washington, DC legal market.
Frequent speaker at industry conferences (NALP, NALSC).
Commentary and/or articles on the legal market have appeared in publications including the Wall Street Journal, American Lawyer, National Law Journal, Law360, ABA Journal, Fortune, Washington Post, and Washington Business Journal.

Approach: Taking an integrated and coaching-based approach to recruiting, Dan has developed the LATERAL NAVIGATOR™ process, which goes far beyond sending out resumes and making introductions. A lateral transition has many moving pieces and unanticipated speed bumps, and Dan's process enables him to minimize disruption to your current practice while helping you effectively navigate each step of the process with thoughtful precision.

He will facilitate your interactions with the firm, work with you on anticipating potential sticking points, and provide a "two-steps ahead" perspective that provides sound counsel at each stage of the process. Whether it's sharing insight about different firms, assisting with the preparation and presenting of your materials, coordinating and preparing you for interviews, guiding you through the LPQs/due diligence, helping you analyze competing offers, negotiating compensation terms, or strategizing a notice/transition plan with you, Dan's process provides you with a unique advantage.

Education: Prior to becoming a legal recruiter in 2004, Dan practiced intellectual property law with Finnegan Henderson, a national intellectual property boutique based in Washington, DC. He earned his J.D. magna cum laude from American University, Washington College of Law, where he served as editor on the International Law Review. Dan received his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, during which time he also performed as the pianist for the musical political comedy troupe, the Capitol Steps.

Outside Interests: Spending time with family, comedy, theater, and 80s music. Dan is also professional pianist and hosts Virtual Piano Party (www.virtualpianoparty.com).

Selected Firm Testimonials

"Dan is by far the best legal recruiter I have worked with in my 25 years recruiting partners within a law firm. Prior to handling partner hiring for an Am Law 100 firm, I was a practicing lawyer for 8 years so I greatly appreciate the practicing experience Dan brings to his role. Even more than that, Dan’s due diligence process and his attention to detail with the laterals is unparalleled and greatly helps the process run more smoothly and effectively. With Dan, unlike so many other recruiters, I feel like I truly “get what I pay for” and that makes a big difference when getting buy-in from management. I wish Dan could be my recruiter for all of our 30+ offices."
Chair, Partner Recruiting and Integration, AmLaw 100 Firm

"Thank you for your help over the past month or so. I’ve had the opportunity to work with many recruiters, and your acuity, professionalism and collegiality have set a new standard. I look forward to continuing to work with you."
Managing Partner, AmLaw 50 Firm

“I have known Dan for several years. He is a true professional. Dan puts the candidate's interest, and the law firm's, ahead of his own. He is available 24/7 and provides a common sense approach to advising candidates and law firms on how to best accomplish their professional objectives. Dan is simply one of the best law firm advisers in town.”
Managing Partner of DC Office of AmLaw 100 Firm

“I am so glad you changed my mind and convinced me to meet [redacted] – we are thrilled. You did a damn good job as a recruiter.”
Hiring Partner, DC Office of Wall Street Firm

Selected Candidate Testimonials

"In 2018, my partners and I decided that, as much as we loved our boutique, our practice was national in scope and our clients would be better served if we were to combine with a firm with a national footprint. We were so fortunate to have Dan Binstock by our side as we embarked on our search. He took the time to get to know us as lawyers and as people and helped us hone in on what mattered most to us—finding a firm built on a culture of excellence and civility, as our firm was. Dan worked with us for a year generating lists of possible candidate firms and then refining those lists as we interviewed firms and refined our criteria. Dan never waivered in his commitment to us despite our lengthy process, and in the end, we landed with one of the very first firms Dan had suggested would be a good fit—a powerful indicator of the breadth and depth of his knowledge of the legal marketplace. Dan is, quite simply, a consummate professional and a fine person. We are so glad he was part of our team."
Former Managing Partner of Chambers-Ranked Boutique

"I have now made three lateral moves in my 20 years of practicing law. Dan managed the last one, and it was by far the smoothest and most rewarding. In fact, initially I was not even sure that it was time to make a move. Dan recognized this and took the time to meet with me for several hours before we even got the ball rolling. With Dan’s friendly candor, we were able to really crystallize my thoughts and reasons. So rather than go in with a tepid interest level, I approached it with confidence and energy, which resulted in a great fit with my new firm. On the technical preparation side, Dan helped me identify two small CV blips that could have raised hiring partners’ eyebrows. He then coached me through honest and positive responses. At the end of it all, Dan found a great match for me at a firm where I have doubled the size of my practice in only one year. I have no reason to leave – even in today’s highly mobile market. I very highly recommend Dan, and I have, in fact, already referred colleagues to him."
Partner, AmLaw 100 Firm

"Dan takes the time to understand law firms and lawyers on a deeper personal level that is meaningful, which translates into the genesis of a greater match when lawyers merge into a new law firm. The result is powerful because everyone is working in the same direction with common goals and methods of achieving those goals. In our case, Dan quickly assessed personalities and created a match that fits like a glove. The team could not be happier, and the law firm is thrilled. Both sides are stronger and thriving because of this match. We have Dan to thank for this."
Co-Chair, Health Care Practice, AmLaw 100 Firm

"I was contacted by Dan Binstock in connection with a targeted lateral partner search that a firm had asked him to conduct. Interestingly, I receive many "robo calls" from recruiters who, regrettably, do not seem to understand the nature of my practice. Dan, in contrast, instantly demonstrated his keen understanding of my practice and the local legal market. From our first call, Dan showed how perspicacious he is about lateral candidates, and their value. He is also uniquely gifted with quickly identifying key issues that candidates must consider. He struck the appropriate balance between being direct with me about my strengths and vulnerabilities and offering extraordinary support. This may sound hackneyed, but I think Dan "gets people," and what makes them tick. He is exceptional in this regard. I highly recommend him - if I am contacted by friends seeking an adept legal recruiter, Dan will be the first and only name that I give to them."
Partner, AmLaw 100 Firm

"Dan transforms the experience of working with a recruiter. The fact that he cares about his clients personally comes out in the way that he works to bring the best out of them and see themselves in a new light. He is tough when he needs to be, but more importantly there for you when you need him the most. He is quite simply the best recruiter I have ever worked with."
Co-Head, Financial Regulatory Practice, AmLaw 25 Firm

“You achieved my objective, you were patient throughout, you corrected my missteps with grace, you sorted out the best firms. But even more than all that, you became my counselor and my consigliere during a very difficult economic and, yes, emotional time. I have never seen anyone in your business do that before. It is a remarkable trait. You will be the top person on my list when my new firm wants to recruit people. In short, Dan, it is my opinion--and I have enough years to express it--that you are really one of a kind, tops in this business.”
Partner and Former GC of Fortune 100 Company

“Dan's in-depth knowledge of the DC legal marketplace, particularly coupled with his caring attitude and superior negotiation skills, makes him the most effective placement professional I have yet to come in contact with. I would not have made the move to my new firm without him -- he truly helped make the transition a success for all involved.”
Partner and Head of Trademark Practice at IP Boutique

“Dan Binstock is an absolute professional. He places your career first--regardless of whether he makes a placement. He wants to do what is in your best interest, something that I can't say about other recruiters with whom I have spoken.”
Partner