Executive Search Case Study: General Counsel for a Leading Automation Provider

Client Need: General Counsel

A global leader in automation solutions for the manufacturing industry sought to strengthen its legal leadership following a major corporate transition. After its supplier of wafer handling and automation technologies was acquired by a private equity firm, the organization recognized the need for a new General Counsel who could provide strategic legal guidance, build trust with the executive team, and serve as a proactive business partner.

BarkerGilmore was retained to identify a seasoned General Counsel capable of leading the legal function through this critical phase. The ideal candidate needed to bring expertise in corporate governance, compliance, and risk management, along with the ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Additionally, with plans for a future IPO, the new General Counsel was required to have public company experience and the skillset necessary to position the company for a successful market debut within 18 months.

Beyond technical qualifications, the CEO—an established company veteran committed to building a strong leadership team—sought to use this hire as an opportunity to diversify the executive ranks and reinforce a culture of collaboration and forward-thinking leadership.

Key search criteria included:

• Juris Doctor (JD) with 10+ years of corporate and securities law experience, ideally within a public company.
• Proven ability to lead legal, compliance, governance, risk management, IP, litigation, employment, and securities disclosure functions.
• Experience balancing process and decision-making in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture with a lean operating model.
• Demonstrated success in driving complex legal and compliance initiatives across a global enterprise.

Recruiting Solution

BarkerGilmore delivered a diverse slate of highly qualified General Counsel candidates with public company experience and a track record of managing corporate legal functions. One of the greatest challenges in this search was the company’s inability to match the unvested equity many sitting General Counsel candidates had accrued at other publicly traded companies.

Ultimately, timing played a crucial role in securing the ideal hire. The selected finalist was a highly regarded former General Counsel from a company that was recently taken private. She was drawn to the opportunity to lead the legal function of a respected, high-growth technology company with plans to go public.

To ensure a strong cultural fit, she underwent an extensive third-party psychological evaluation, the same assessment conducted for the client’s other team members. References further reinforced her ability to attract and develop top-tier, business-oriented lawyers while serving as a trusted advisor to the CEO and board.

Since joining, she has flourished in her role, and the firm continues to rely on BarkerGilmore as a trusted partner for General Counsel searches.