With a career that spans both the courtroom and the conference room, Buddy brings a rare dual perspective to legal recruiting, one shaped by years of experience as both a practicing attorney and a trusted talent advisor. His deep understanding of what lawyers and law firms truly need, combined with a powerful network built over decades, allows him to serve partners, associates, and firms with equal insight and dedication.
Buddy launched his legal career as a litigator in Los Angeles before discovering his passion for connecting top talent with the right opportunities. He honed his recruiting expertise at a boutique firm specializing exclusively in AmLaw partners, then expanded his reach at a Fortune 500 recruiting firm, before ultimately finding his home at Lateral Link, where he works with both partners and high-caliber associates.
A proud East Coaster at heart, Buddy earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a varsity letter winner on Penn’s acclaimed Heavyweight Rowing Team. He went on to earn his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law, graduating cum laude and serving as an Associate Editor of the San Diego Law Review.
From litigator to trusted legal recruiter, Buddy’s career path was shaped by a natural talent for connecting with people and a genuine desire to help solve problems. Driven by the belief that listening is the foundation of every successful placement, Buddy finds deep fulfillment in helping attorneys find the right home where they can truly grow and thrive.
How would you describe your career path and how your practice has evolved into what it is today?
I began my career as a litigator after law school, but I was always drawn to recruiting. It felt like a natural fit, I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people and helping solve problems.
That interest turned into a career when a friend (and fellow former Jersey Shore lifeguard) who ran a partner-recruiting boutique reached out about an opportunity. I jumped at the opportunity and haven’t looked back since.
If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing about navigating a career in law or recruiting, what would it be?
There are going to be ups and downs, that’s part of the process. The key is to keep showing up, even when things don’t go your way.
Stay consistent, take action every day, and trust that over time, it will pay off.
What skills do you rely on most in your day-to-day work?
At the core of what I do is connection. I enjoy learning about people, their careers, their goals, and what matters most to them.
People usually come to me because they’re trying to solve a problem, which is why listening is the skill I rely on most. Once I truly understand what an attorney is dealing with, I can focus on finding the right path forward.
How has your understanding of the legal industry evolved over time?
The longer you’re in the legal industry, the more you realize how small and interconnected it really is.
And while attorneys may differ in firm size, practice area, or geography, the challenges they face, and the problems they’re trying to solve, are often very similar.
Can you share a moment that reminded you why you love what you do?
It’s not just one moment, it’s something I’ve experienced throughout my career.
Helping attorneys find the right “home,” where they can grow and succeed, is what drives me. Seeing the impact of those moves, and the genuine gratitude that comes with them, is incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give to an attorney who is considering making a lateral move?
Start building your book of business as early as possible.
One of the best parts of this profession is the autonomy it can offer, and that autonomy comes from having your own clients. The stronger your book, the more control you have over your career.
Buddy Broome, a Director operating from California, places associates on the west coast and partners nationwide You can contact him via LinkedIn or email at bbroome@laterallink.com
