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Hire legal, risk, and compliance leaders who create competitive advantage.
With uncertainty as the new normal, a broadening set of risks to consider and evolving regulatory challenges, organizations have their work cut out balancing growth and risk mitigation. We focus on established market leaders and emerging talent, ensuring when you hire a legal, risk, or compliance leader, you're not just filling a position; you're selecting someone who will shape how your organization approaches opportunity in an increasingly complex world.
Our expert advisory team includes former professionals from each field we cover, and this real-world expertise helps us deliver a differentiated level of service. Our proven track record of executing the most challenging searches surfaces leaders who go beyond technical know-how—driving performance while building organizations that can grow with a future-proofed risk management framework in place.
RECRUIT A LEGAL, RISK, OR COMPLIANCE LEADER
The legal, risk, or compliance executive searches we work on
General Counsel
Chief Risk Officer
Chief Compliance Officer
Chief Legal Officer
Privacy Officers
Ethics Leaders
Corporate Secretary
Client success stories
- A global pharmaceutical company
- A Fortune 500 engineering and technology company
- A leading global technology company
A global pharmaceutical company
A global pharmaceutical company with revenues of over $45 billion needed legal, corporate affairs, public policy, and communications leaders to navigate international regulatory landscapes, foster partnerships, and manage public policy effectively as it expanded globally. As it grew, the company also spun out its consumer health business, requiring a new team that included communications and brand management roles.
How we worked together
We leveraged our extensive global network and industry expertise to identify and recruit top-tier talent capable of navigating the complex regulatory environment while driving strategic initiatives. Special attention was paid to the transition process during the consumer health business spin-out, addressing immediate leadership needs while positioning both entities for growth and innovation across their broad portfolios.
Results and impact
Since 2018, our team has partnered with the parent company to place 20 leaders across different teams, regions, and business verticals, as well as three leaders into the consumer health spin-out company.
A Fortune 500 engineering and technology company
The general counsel of a Fortune 500 engineering and technology company was three years from retirement and considering succession. While the GC’s team included four potential successors, none had rotated through enough corporate or business unit roles to gain the breadth of experience required for success in the top job. The client turned to us for succession planning advice over a three-year horizon.
How we worked together
We assessed the four potential successors and designed a rotation program for the three with the greatest leadership potential. Over three years, the potential successors rotated through different roles to stretch and test them, while our expert advisors provided coaching and development support for a 12-month period alongside the program.
Results and impact
The program resulted in the successful elevation of one of the three potential successors to the GC role. By carefully designing a program that balanced stretch assignments with structured support, the company reduced succession risk and ensured the chosen successor had the experience needed to succeed in the role.
A leading global technology company
A leading global technology company's general counsel was retiring amid increased regulatory scrutiny across key global markets. This meant the profile of general counsel they sought had evolved to require deeper expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments. The company engaged our expert consultants to assess internal candidates while conducting an external search for potential successors.
How we worked together
Our team focused the external search on step-up and sitting general counsels, primarily from technology companies. After interviewing 70 candidates, we presented six external and three internal candidates as a long list, with one internal and two external candidates progressing to the final round. Each finalist was assessed using Hogan tools to evaluate leadership potential.
Results and impact
The client chose to appoint a seasoned general counsel from another leading technology company to steer the company through the next chapter of growth and regulatory headwinds. Within 12 months of the appointment, the company has consistently exceeded revenue expectations and increased its market capitalization by 40%.
Our legal, risk, and compliance leader search process
Our approach to legal, risk, and compliance leader search is built on decades of experience placing transformative legal, risk, and compliance leaders across industries and regulatory environments.
Step 1: Strategic discovery
We thoroughly analyze your organization's unique culture, challenges, and objectives to create an ideal leader profile tailored to your specific legal, risk, and compliance needs.
Step 2: Targeted exploration
Using our extensive network, we identify and engage with high-caliber candidates whose expertise aligns with your strategic priorities and regulatory requirements.
Step 3: Comprehensive evaluation
Candidates undergo our rigorous assessment process, measuring their capabilities against the critical success factors that matter most to your organization's legal and risk management effectiveness.
Step 4: Collaborative selection
We facilitate an informed decision-making process, presenting you with exceptional candidates who demonstrate the right combination of expertise, leadership, and cultural fit.
Step 5: Successful integration
Our partnership continues beyond selection, supporting a smooth transition and laying the groundwork for your new legal, risk, and compliance leader's lasting success.
Related capabilities
Leadership Assessment
De-risk your hiring and succession decisions with our data-backed approach to assessing executives.
Development and Transitions
We help organizations create structured transition support programs to welcome new executives and development programs.
Executive Mentoring
Fast-track leadership success through partnerships with mentors who understand your executive journey.
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Your questions about legal, risk, or compliance recruitment, answered.
How long does a typical legal, risk, or compliance executive search take?
While each executive search is unique, our process typically takes 14-25 weeks from initiation to offer acceptance. Our structured approach allows for thorough assessment while maintaining momentum. We understand the importance of finding the right legal, risk, or compliance leader efficiently, as prolonged vacancies in these critical roles can impact strategic initiatives.
What types of legal, risk, and compliance leadership roles do you help organizations fill?
We recruit for the full spectrum of senior legal, risk, and compliance leadership roles, including Chief Legal Officers, General Counsels, Chief Risk Officers, Chief Compliance Officers, Corporate Secretaries, Deputy General Counsels, Heads of Regulatory Affairs, Ethics Officers, and other strategic legal and governance executives. Our expertise spans public companies, private equity-backed firms, and private organizations across all sectors and growth stages.
What makes RRA different from other legal, risk, and compliance search firms?
Our advisors have extensive experience working with boards and C-suite executives at major global organizations across industries. We don't just fill positions—we help you define what legal, risk, and compliance leadership should look like for your specific strategic needs, then find leaders who can deliver transformative results. We serve as strategic advisors throughout the entire process—from role definition through successful integration of your new legal, risk, or compliance leader.
How can we ensure the effectiveness of legal, risk, and compliance hires?
Successful legal, risk, and compliance placements require alignment of technical expertise, business acumen, and strategic capabilities. We implement a comprehensive assessment approach that includes in-depth competency-based interviews, psychometric evaluations, reference checking, and situational analysis. Our process identifies candidates who not only possess strong legal and regulatory knowledge but also demonstrate the strategic thinking, proactive risk management perspective, and leadership qualities needed to excel in today's complex regulatory environment.
How can we find the best legal, risk, and compliance leaders?
We maintain extensive networks of high-performing legal, risk, and compliance executives across industries and geographies. Our sourcing strategy leverages established relationships with proven legal and governance leaders and proprietary research methodologies. We identify candidates who may not be actively seeking new opportunities but whose expertise in corporate governance, regulatory strategy, and risk management align perfectly with your organizational needs.
How do you help newly placed legal, risk, and compliance leaders succeed?
We know that finding the right legal, risk, or compliance leadership talent is just the beginning. Our strategic recruitment services can include comprehensive onboarding support to ensure your new leader can make an impact quickly. We facilitate key relationship building, help align expectations, and provide ongoing coaching during the critical first months to maximize the chances of long-term success.
What geographic regions do you cover for legal, risk, and compliance leader recruitment?
Our legal, risk, and compliance recruitment capabilities extend globally. As a leading global leadership advisory firm, we maintain deep networks of legal and governance leadership talent across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and emerging markets, allowing us to recruit legal, risk, and compliance executives wherever your organization operates.
Where can I find the top legal, risk, and compliance search consultants?
RRA's specialized legal, risk, and compliance leadership consultants bring decades of collective experience placing top executives across industries. Our consultants understand the evolving role of modern legal and governance leaders who must balance traditional risk mitigation with strategic business partnership and digital transformation considerations. Our deep understanding of these functions enables us to identify candidates with the precise blend of technical expertise and leadership qualities your organization needs.