Legal headhunters are used by client employers to identify and recruit qualified candidates for a specific position. If a match is made, the headhunter is paid. Headhunters do not charge fees to candidates. If you are dealing with a headhunter who proposes to charge you a fee for placement, you should be extremely cautious and make further inquiries. In many jurisdictions it is unlawful to charge candidates a fee for placement.
Headhunters generally attract candidates from four sources.
First, and most commonly, they will advertise in trade and other publications. In the US, The National Law Journal American Lawyer and local legal publications such as The Washington Journal are favorites for many. In Canada, The National, Canadian Lawyer, the Lawyers Weekly, local newspapers, local legal publications, such as the Ontario Reports or provincial CBA newsletters are all popular. In each jurisdiction there tends to be one medium of choice. Secondly, they will receive resumes unsolicited from candidates.