Prior to becoming an owner and vice president of North Berman & Beebe, Wendy first served as the Director of Recruitment for Patton, Boggs and Blow. She then served as Attorney Recruiting Coordinator for Dickstein, Shapiro and Morin. Wendy has also served as a member of the Washington Area Legal Recruitment Administrators Association and the National Association of Law Placement. Since becoming a legal recruiter, she has placed partners, associates and groups. Wendy founded NB&B with Elizabeth A. North and Colin Parker Beebe in May of 1997. She has been a legal recruiter for the past twenty-six years.
Wendy was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. She attended The Park School of Baltimore, a private PK-12 school. Wendy attended Tulane University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland. She has been married to her husband, Lars Jensen, for fourteen years. She and her husband have two children, Austin and Tyler. Wendy has served as a team manager for her son's soccer team, and she spends her weekends happily cheering them on. She described herself as the quintessential soccer mom with the exception that she doesn't drive a minivan.
When the legal recruiter isn't working, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Wendy especially likes to get away to their mountain house at Bryce Resort in Basye, Virginia. She is a frequent patron of the Quarterdeck, a long standing DC area seafood restaurant, which serves freshly steamed Maryland blue crabs, Wendy's favorite.
Wendy's Successful Career Path and Tips for Legal Recruiters
What does it take to become a successful legal recruiter? "I think you have to love helping individuals and you have to be an extremely good listener. I like to really get to know my candidates and clients. I enjoy discussing in depth what suits my clients' needs before I begin the process of finding a good candidate for them."
Wendy was asked what is she known for professionally. "I am known to be very professional and a detail oriented perfectionist. I am extremely loyal and I have built relationships with attorneys who I have known for twenty plus years. Many of them have become personal friends. I am also known to have handled the largest number of part-time placements, as well as minority placements."
The businesswoman also discussed her strength and weakness as a recruiter. Wendy said that her main strength is that she is "dedicated and knows how to persevere. I strive to find the right fit for my candidates." As for her weakness, the legal recruiter acknowledged that she often spends time and energy on individuals she can't necessarily place. Wendy claimed that her philosophy is what goes around comes around. She believes that her willingness to help all candidates could lead to future referrals, which will result in successful placements.
So what is Wendy's advice to new recruiters? "New recruiters have to pay their dues by making cold calls and meeting with their candidates and clients. New recruiters will eventually benefit from this by gaining referrals and they will begin to establish a name for themselves in the legal community."
Considering her twenty-six years of experience in the legal recruiting industry, many readers may want to know where Wendy sees the legal field in the next five years. Although she admitted that she doesn't have a crystal ball, the recruiter predicts the continuance of large law firm mergers. Wendy also sadly stated that generational law firms are disappearing.
What does Wendy look for to find the right fit? What makes a great candidate? She pointed out that a candidate's needs change over the course of their career. Wendy's job is to listen to her candidates' current goals so that she can place them at the right firm.
In regards to what makes a great candidate, Wendy noted, "A great candidate is someone who is hardworking, motivated and has exceptional credentials."
Does Wendy have a recipe for a perfect match? She candidly said, "No, because there are so many different variables that you must consider throughout the process. Each placement is unique."
How does the businesswoman process fear? "By facing it head on and trying to overcome it."
Has Wendy learned something of value from her mistakes? "Yes. I think it is important to learn from your mistakes; otherwise, you will not grow and mature. But I try my very best not to make too many mistakes."
Where does Wendy derive her confidence? "It comes from my upbringing and experience. My mom was a powerful force and she taught me about confidence and encouraged me to take risks. I also learned about the importance of hard work and perseverance from my parents."
Mentoring Others, Non Profit Organizations, Professional Associations and Wendy's Passion
Is Wendy a mentor? "I have had the pleasure of mentoring numerous recruiters that I have employed."
Is the recruiter involved with any non-profit organizations? Wendy has served as secretary, co-president and an executive board member of the PTA for Haycock Elementary School in Fairfax, VA, where both of her sons attend.
North Berman & Beebe has proudly sponsored WALRAA conferences. WALRAA is a professional development organization comprised of legal human resource personnel from law firms, law schools, and government agencies.
When asked what causes she is passionate about, Wendy replied, "I am passionate about supporting my family and being a good mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend."
Motivation, a Rewarding Position and Wendy's Goals
What motivates Wendy to be a recruiter every day? She jokingly said, "Because I have bills to pay and a family to support. Seriously though, I derive great satisfaction from doing a great job for my candidates and clients who depend on me to produce results for them."
Does the recruiter find her position rewarding? "My position is incredibly rewarding because I love helping individuals find something that enriches their lives."
Does the Marylander have goals? "Professionally, I will continue to strive to do an excellent job for my candidates and clients. Personally, I will strive to be the best mother to my boys that I can be. Professionally and personally, people are dependent upon me. I take that responsibility very seriously and I never want to let them down."
