Executive Search Associates

OUR VALUED PROFESSIONALS

Match Makers & Deal Makers

ESA’s consultants have brokered many high profile lateral partner transactions at top tier law firms.
We understand the complex process of a successful lateral transaction from the perspective of the hiring firm and from the vantage point of the lateral partner. We are expert match-makers, sophisticated middlemen and skilled negotiators.
Our people collaborate and pool our knowledge and know how to provide the highest quality lateral services to both law firm and lateral partner.

PHIL MORIMOTO, CEO

(617) 492-0644

phil@execsearchusa.com

Phil Morimoto, CEO and founder of Boston Executive Search Associates, Inc. (ESA). Phil has assisted in dozens of lateral partner and group hires by leading law firms across the globe, including in; Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Houston, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and Paris. Prior, Phil recruited attorneys for “in-house” clients such as 3M and Microsoft, Wellpoint, Prudential, Aetna, Humana and BCBS, among others. Earlier in his career Phil was an administrator at Berklee College of Music where he earned his Bachelor of Music Degree.

JUSTIN MORIMOTO, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

(617) 492-0633

justin@execsearchusa.com

Mr. Justin Morimoto joined ESA in 2007. He is a Vice President of Lateral Partner Search, Recruiting and Consultation. Justin’s practice focuses exclusively on partner and practice group lateral hiring in major business and legal hubs in the USA, Europe and Asia. He has cultivated relationships with leading practitioners at many of the world’s preeminent law firms. Justin practices in ESA’s New Office openings and Founding Practices. Justin also assists partners in their assessment and navigation of the law firm marketplace. Justin earned a B.S. in Marketing from Providence College.

NICK HOWARD, COO

(617) 794-8399

nick@execsearchusa.com

Mr. Howard is the COO of ESA. Nick oversees all operations and manages ESA’s research department. Mr. Howard designs and builds ESA’s proprietary technology solutions which support and enhance search and recruiting efforts. Mr. Howard is a graduate of MIT’s Sloan School of Management.

BRIAN DARCY

(617) 492-0699

brian@execsearchusa.com

Mr. Brian Darcy is a Vice President of Lateral Partner Search, Recruiting and Consultation. Brian’s practice focuses exclusively on partner and practice group lateral hiring in major business and legal hubs across the USA, London, Paris, Brussels, Hong Kong, Dublin and emerging markets of interest for ESA’s clients. Brian has cultivated a list of top law firm clients and a network of top partners at preeminent law firms in these jurisdictions.

KATE GASCOIGNE

(978) 502-3255

kate@execsearchusa.com

Ms. Gascoigne, Partner & Senior Recruiter, joined ESA in 1995. Kate has cultivated a vast network of partner level contacts at top tier law firms across the globe. Kate’s clients, both firms and prospective laterals, look to her to fulfill their objectives. Kate is active across a wide range of geographies and practice areas and has succeeded in a prominent law firm opening abroad. In addition to her success as a recruiter, Kate is an accomplished French Horn player and often plays with the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops and other orchestras and chamber groups.

CAMERON GOGUEN

(628) 313-0927

cameron@execsearchusa.com

Cameron Goguen is a Senior partner level legal recruiter at ESA.  He follows market trends in all the major markets in the US as well as London, and key markets in Europe and Asia.  Cameron brings value to the team as a consultant who understands the law firm landscape from a local, regional and global perspective.  Equipped with client-facing interpersonal skills and credentialed in Media and Communications, he excels at building long lasting relationships with both partners and AmLaw 100 clients.  He is a lead recruiter and team player at ESA.  Cameron earned a B.A. from Wake Forest University in Communications.  Prior to joining ESA Cameron was a Senior Project Manager at a Master Builders Group.

STEVEN KETTER

(617) 821-2250

steve@execsearchusa.com

Mr. Steven Ketter, Senior Legal Recruiter, focuses on strategic recruiting for ESA’s law firm clients located throughout the US. Steven has cultivated a list of top law firm clients and a network of top partners at preeminent law firms in the major US business and legal hubs. Steven earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications with a Minor in Business Administration from Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina.

ADRIANA CAPUANO

(617) 545-2710

adriana@execsearchusa.com

Adriana Capuano is a legal recruiter focusing on Latin American practices and practitioners. Her practice focuses on both Partner and Associate lateral hiring in Sao Paulo, major International and US legal and business markets with practices pointed toward Latin America. Adriana is also the Administrative Manager of ESA, Inc.
Adriana’s native language is Portuguese and she is conversant in Spanish. Adriana was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and graduated with an Associates Degree in Financial Technology from the University Banderiante in 2004. She came to the United State to reside in Massachusetts in 2012. She resides in Somerville with her husband and two children.
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LONNIE FARMER

(617) 851-6068

lonnie@execsearchusa.com

Mr. Lonnie Farmer has over a decade of experience in executive level recruiting.

He focuses on recruiting for AmLaw 50 clients across key practice areas and geographies.  Lonnie graduated from Williams College with a BA in Psychology.  In addition to his recruiting career, Lonnie is a professional actor and has been cast in numerous big-budget features, including Black Mass, Mystic River, The Cider House Rules and Finestkind, as well as Showtime’s Brotherhood television series.  He performs in live theatre venues and in television and radio commercials.

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MATTHEW HOCHMAN

(617) 936-5926

matthew@execsearchusa.com

Matthew Hochman joined ESA in 2018 and focuses on lateral partner hiring.
He is in regular contact with partners at top tier law firms throughout the USA and abroad. Matthew earned his B.A from the University of Denver in Political Science.

STEPHEN ELLIS

(617) 481-9385

ellis@execsearchusa.com

Stephen Ellis is a legal recruiter with a focus on lateral partner hiring. His work spans throughout the USA and abroad, as he is in regular contact with partners and associates at top-tier law firms globally. Stephen earned his B.A. from Providence College in History.

MATTHEW (MATT) SHARPS

(617) 607-7511

MattS@execsearchusa.com

Matt Sharps is a partner level legal recruiter at ESA.  He follows market trends in all the major markets in the USA (Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles).  Matt applies his analytical, consultative sales and marketing skills to the process of identifying and recruiting appropriately qualified partners for ESA’s top tier law firm clients.  Matt earned his Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing from SUNY at Buffalo.