Headhunter’s Case Against Freshfields Over Lateral Hire Narrowed

Headhunting agency Boston Executive Search Associates Inc.'s case against Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP over the law firm’s lateral hiring of a partner will be narrowed, but not dismissed entirely, a Massachusetts federal court said.

The international law firm contacted the headhunter in August of 2018 to discuss potential help in recruiting for one of its practice groups, according to the complaint. The agency sent the firm a copy of its standard agreement for recruiting services, but Freshfields didn’t sign it. Instead the firm sent back its own contingency fee agreement which differed materially from the agency’s, including by imposing ...