Founded in 2008, Garcia Legal Search is a Tampa-based firm with legal consultants who are all attorneys. We assist law firms and corporations in locating the best and brightest legal talent. We also help attorneys find new opportunities that meet both their professional and personal goals. Equally important, GLS consultants conduct searches with the highest degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
Company Profile
The Team
Lisa Machado Garcia
PresidentMs. Garcia has worked both nationally and locally as an attorney search consultant for more than 18 years, assisting both large and small firms, as well as publicly traded corporations. Immediately prior to establishing Garcia Legal Search, she worked as head of attorney recruiting with Argus Legal in Tampa for 5 years. Ms. Garcia received her Law Degree from the National Law Center, George Washington University and has a BA in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia.
Michelle Patrick
Regional Director of Attorney RecruitingMs. Patrick spent more than 20 years at a prominent employment law boutique where she focused her practice on labor and employment. Working primarily as a plaintiff’s lawyer, Ms. Patrick acquired a unique understanding of how devastating it can be to lose a job because of discrimination, and worked as tireless advocate on behalf of her clients. In addition to her legal experience, Ms. Patrick gained extensive writing experience which she continues to use writing in a variety of forums, including both articles and blogs. Ms. Patrick received her Law Degree from Villanova University School of Law where she was an Editor of Student Works for the Sports & Entertainment Law Journal. She also holds a B.A. in Political Science from Villanova University.
Hadley Leonard
Attorney RecruiterMs. Leonard, an active member of the Florida bar, began her legal career in 2011 at a boutique, bi-partisan lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. While there, she worked with members of Congress, drafting floor speeches, and representing clients in Senate and House meetings. During her time in Washington, Ms. Leonard learned the value of networking and helping clients achieve their goals. In 2013, inspired to help real people rather than political entities, Ms. Leonard moved on to legal education, a field she worked in for more than seven years. In that time, Ms. Leonard worked with a major legal publisher and law professors at the country’s top law schools on developing and finding the best legal textbooks to improve the education of law school students around the country. Ms. Leonard spent almost six years working with law school graduates preparing to take their bar exams as a Director for BARBRI, the largest bar preparation and legal exam company in the United States. Ms. Leonard is a natural networker, and her diverse experience has honed her abilities to effectively communicate and create collaborative relationships across a variety of organizations. Ms. Leonard’s guiding objective is to help other lawyers achieve their goals.
Robert F. Garcia, Jr., Esq.
PrincipalImmediately prior to joining GLS in 2008, Mr. Garcia served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for a publicly traded company in Tampa, where he practiced for over 13 years. Prior to that, he was in private practice in Washington, D.C. Mr. Garcia received his law degree from the National Law Center, George Washington University and has a BA in Political Science from the University of South Florida. As a former General Counsel, Mr. Garcia was the “client” to literally hundreds of attorneys in private practice. In that role, he learned to very quickly recognize the characteristics of a good and responsive attorney and to fully appreciate what it takes to serve the client’s needs and operate in the client’s best interest. He also understands the countless hours it takes to find that perfect hire, as well as the pros and cons of working with legal recruiters. In addition to the unique insight and benefits provided by his prior position, including the numerous and valuable contacts he has established in the Tampa area legal community, Mr. Garcia is also a Tampa native, well acquainted with the specific requirements of the Tampa Bay market, as well as the unique benefits of practicing in the Tampa area.
