Testimonials.
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Orrick
“Divya's tailored approach to the individual is refreshing and her excellent track record in the New York market speaks for itself. With her deep knowledge of corporate practice and strong connections at firms and keen observations in realistically assessing the market and the candidate, she expedites what can be a daunting process to effectively achieve a successful outcome.”
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WILLKIE FARR
“Divya was an absolute delight to work with throughout my process of exploring a change in firms. Divya and I met years ago when it was not the right time for me to make a move, and she spent a tremendous amount of time understanding my practice and my career goals. When the right opportunity presented itself, Divya was able to quickly understand the potential fit with Willkie and alerted me to it. Making a move can be daunting, and she brought a tremendous amount of market knowledge to the process, was extremely responsive and available when I needed her, and essentially played the role of my personal psychologist. I never felt hurried or pressured by the pacing of the process. I can say, without exaggeration, that I would not be at Willkie if not for Divya. I am grateful for her advice and counsel and would recommend her to anyone considering a move.”
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Baker McKenzie
“I had the pleasure of working with Mary Copeland in my recent move to Baker McKenzie. Mary is a highly skilled and ethical recruiter who did a great job identifying the right team for me. She made the process a pleasant, easy and seamless one. I highly recommend her as one of the very best in her field.”
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Goodwin Procter
“The decision to change law firms is a major life decision and can be a stressful process. There is no one I would rather have guiding me through the process than Divya. Divya is extremely knowledgeable about the legal market and has deep connections to key decision makers with all of the top firms for my area of practice. Divya took the time to get to know me and my priorities and goals and developed and executed a sound strategy in identifying firms whose culture, practice areas and strategic focus ideally matched my own practice, priorities and goals. Divya became my trusted advisor and confidante – she was extremely responsive and helped me successfully navigate the entire process. Her expertise and guidance was invaluable. I could not have made a move to Goodwin without her support. I would highly recommend her to any lawyer seeking to pursue career opportunities and am looking forward to continuing to partner with her to add amazing lawyers to our team. “
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SIDLEY AUSTIN
“Having found a comfortable balance at my prior firm, I had no intention or desire to make a move. It wasn't until I worked with Divya that I realized the breadth of opportunities in a landscape that I assumed I already knew well. Divya shepherded me through the process of finding a new professional home--one that better suits mine and my family's needs, with a growth trajectory I couldn't have duplicated elsewhere. Divya's active, experienced, and practical guidance eased every step of the recruitment process. I earnestly believe she's altered my career path for the better and helped expand what's possible. And better yet, I know she'll remain a friend for years to come.”
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Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
“Deciding to start a search is a daunting proposition, and one that I can scarcely imagine navigating without Divya. From the beginning of the process to the very happy ending, she served as a guide, a confidant, an advocate, and an oracle. Her market knowledge surpassed all expectations I might have held, and she had deep relationships with all of the top firms for my area of practice. She listened carefully to my feedback and pushed me when I needed pushing. No matter how stressful things got, having Divya on my side gave me tremendous confidence. She was candid and thoughtful in helping me evaluate each opportunity; patiently advised me on how to prepare for every interaction; and was incredibly responsive and generous with her time. I truly cannot praise Divya highly enough.”
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Sidley
“I couldn't be happier with my experience working with Divya and Mary. They demonstrated an impressive understanding of firms, practice areas, and, most importantly, the key decision-makers. From the beginning, they took the time to understand my practice, career goals, and personal priorities, which made it easy to identify the right opportunities for me. Their connections with firm management provided valuable insights into the direction firms are headed, their priorities, and potential openings. Throughout the process, Divya and Mary were always available to discuss any questions or concerns I had, making a stressful transition much smoother. It was a pleasure working with Divya and Mary, and I highly recommend them.”
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SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP
“Divya provided a truly differentiated product that was instrumental in my decision to change firms. At every step of the process she provided honest and detailed guidance to help navigate both the broader strategic elements of my decision as well as the countless details. Her responsiveness throughout the process was consistent and notable, even by the largely unreasonable standards of lawyers at major law firms. She became a true partner and trusted advisor as I navigated the various aspects of my transition, from the initial analysis to the discussions with Sidley to the ultimate move itself. I am extremely grateful for her support and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone interested in understanding the potential options available to them in the market.”
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WILLKIE FARR
“I was the definition of a reluctant client, not looking to move and not interested in any of the myriad opportunities that were being presented by recruiters attempting to lure me out of a comfortable situation. When Divya called and asked what it was going to take to make me consider a move, I told her to find me a unicorn. Divya spent years, patiently waiting and working with me until the right opportunity presented itself. She found me a Unicorn (aka Willkie) and I have never been happier professionally. I cannot say enough good things about Divya or give her any stronger a recommendation. Divya listened to what I wanted, heard what I said and found me the perfect home.”
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Orrick
“Divya was an absolute delight to work with. I wasn't looking to make a move and routinely said "no thanks" to other recruiters, but as Divya and I got to know each other, I soon came to view her as a trusted advisor. She offered insight into firms that I didn't hear from other recruiters. She took the time to understand my practice and goals at a deep level, and she had a sophisticated understanding of the market and where I would best fit. She is an honest sounding board and has great judgment. At all times, she made it clear to me that she cared that I made the best decision for me, measured over the long term and not just on day one. That is not something I expected to see, and it made a tremendous difference throughout the entire process.”
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Sheppard Mullin
“I cannot express my gratitude enough for the invaluable assistance provided by Divya. Divya was instrumental in helping me and my team make a successful transition, from a firm I was with for over a decade, to my new firm.
Divya was highly knowledgeable and had a deep understanding of the legal industry. She was available to me at all hours, providing me with prompt and thorough responses to any questions or concerns I had. Her professionalism and work ethic were truly outstanding.
The move was a huge risk for me and my team, but Divya's empathetic counseling and support made the process much smoother. She was a keen negotiator, helping me to navigate complex considerations and ensuring that my team and I received the best possible terms for our move.
In addition to her excellent recruitment skills, Divya also acted as a trusted advisor during this challenging move. She analyzed the situation thoroughly, provided sound advice and guidance, and helped me make informed decisions every step of the way. “
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Goodwin
“Changing law firms is not an easy task during the best of circumstances, but to make a move during a global pandemic is downright daunting. I would not have been able to effectively navigate the current legal market without Divya Bala. I have known Divya for a number of years, and during that time she earned my respect and admiration by sharing her detailed knowledge of the top law firms and their practice groups in not only the Los Angeles market but on a nationwide basis. That level of market intelligence and understanding of the shifting legal landscape was, and continues to be, invaluable to me. Divya works thoughtfully, efficiently and collaboratively. Divya took the time to listen to what I value in a law firm, so she was quickly able to eliminate certain firms from consideration and focus on firms that she believed would be a good match for me and my practice. As the pandemic set in and the interview process shifted from in-person meetings to virtual interviews, Divya was with me every step of the way acting as a sounding board, providing insightful advice, and guiding me through the process. I continue to be impressed at how responsive Divya was to my e-mails, texts and phone calls, whether it was early in the morning or late at night. Divya is a wonderful person and an absolute pleasure to work with. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking to explore the market.”
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Goodwin
“Working with Divya has been a tremendous experience. We knew each other for years before I decided to make a move. She never pressured me to look or to gave me a hard sell on any firm. Instead, she was always available to talk about market trends and spent time trying to understand what I wanted. When I decided to move, Divya provided me with a tailored list of firms that she thought would fit my needs and personality. Due to her deep relationships law firms, Divya could provide thoughtful insights about each firm, which helped me narrow down the list. She also wasn’t afraid to challenge my assumptions about firms, which ended up being crucial to my decision-making. I spent a lot of time thinking through my move but Divya never rushed my process. She genuinely wanted to make sure I picked the best place for me. After making the move, Divya has continued to stay in touch and, as I took on some hiring responsibilities at my firm, continued to provide market insights that were instrumental as we built up the Southern California practice for my firm. While Divya has many great strengths, the one I appreciated the most was her bedside manner. Moving firms can be a stressful, draining process. Divya’s patience, kindness and great sense of humor made the process fun and infinitely easier.”
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SIDLEY AUSTIN
“I can't recommend Avance highly enough. I was initially very reluctant to use a legal recruiter, but working with Divya Bala and Mary Copeland completely changed my perspective.
From day one, they demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the lateral market. Their knowledge of firms, market dynamics, and the overall process was incredibly impressive, and their advice was consistently thoughtful, strategic, and practical. Just as importantly, they were patient throughout the entire process, never pushing me toward a decision and always taking the time to discuss every option carefully.
What could have been a stressful and overwhelming experience became straightforward because of their guidance. They helped me navigate every step with confidence, were always available to answer questions, and provided first-class advice from start to finish. I genuinely felt that they were invested in finding the right outcome for me rather than simply completing a placement.
If you're considering a lateral partner move, I would enthusiastically recommend Divya and Mary. They are consummate professionals, outstanding advisors, and the only recruiters I would recommend. If you're thinking about making a move, they're the first—and only—people you should call.”
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Orrick
“Making a lateral move as a partner is never a decision taken lightly, and we can say without hesitation that working with Divya, Mary and Suzy at Avance Partner Search was one of the most impactful and reassuring parts of that journey. From our very first conversations, they demonstrated not only an unmatched understanding of the legal landscape but also a rare ability to truly listen—to grasp both the professional goals and the personal values that mattered most to us. Divya and Mary provided strategic insight at every stage, from evaluating opportunities to navigating firm dynamics and preparing for partner interviews. What impressed us most was their unwavering candor and discretion, paired with a sincere commitment to finding the right fit—not just any placement. Thanks to Divya and Mary, we have joined the partnership at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, in a practice and culture that align perfectly with our ambitions. We’ve already recommended Divya and Mary to several colleagues, and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again. This is the recruiting team you want in your corner.”
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SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP
“I am thrilled that I was able to work with Divya. She truly knows the firms, the practice groups and, most importantly, the decision-makers at firms. She took the time to understand my practice, my goals (both personal and professional) and style to help identify a handful of compelling opportunities. Her access to management at various firms allows her to see the future and advise on where firms are growing, their priorities and what opportunities may come up. As I worked through the process, she was always available and willing to talk though the issues and opportunities. Moving firms is a stressful process, and having Divya in my corner was invaluable. Divya was a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her.”