Role at BarkerGilmore

Max Gelernter is a Managing Director at BarkerGilmore. Max specializes in placing attorneys of all levels into prominent in-house legal and compliance positions. Through his prior experience as a practicing attorney, and by implementing BarkerGilmore’s CustomFitSM assessment process, Max helps to build highly effective legal and compliance teams by placing attorneys in roles that maximize their strengths while supporting the organization’s mission.

He has extensive experience working with C-suites in a variety of sectors to help place General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officers, and their direct reports. Max has recruited for a diverse client base, including private equity firms as well as privately held and publicly traded technology, industrial, consumer, insurance, and travel & leisure companies.

Max takes pride in building strong, personal relationships with both candidates and clients. On the talent side, Max understands that a career move is a major decision. As such, he ensures that the opportunity advances the candidate’s career and maximizes their happiness and job satisfaction. On the client side, Max is recognized for appreciating unique legal and compliance team challenges and then providing strategic solutions.

Accolades

The Pittsburgh Business Times selected Max as a member of its annual 30 Under 30 class.

Education

Max earned his B.A. in Political Science, summa cum laude, from the Schreyer Honor College at the Pennsylvania State University.  Max sequentially earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Expertise

Executive Search, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Experience

Prior to joining BarkerGilmore, Max was a litigator at a global law firm. There, he specialized in complex commercial litigation, class action defense, and conducted internal investigations involving the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. While at the firm, Max helped lead the office’s LGBT Employee Resource Group and his pro bono practice focused on providing legal support to Pittsburgh’s transgender community.

Max is also an active member of the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC), where he spearheaded a mentorship program between local 2L and 3L law students and lawyers to build a sense of community.

Industry Experience

Private Equity, Technology, Consumer, Industrial

Max's Insights