Josh Shirley is a former litigator who now brings his courtroom-honed strategy and foresight to legal recruiting. The same disciplined, forward-thinking approach he once used before judges now guides his work with clients and candidates alike.
Partnering frequently with in-house legal departments, Josh takes a consultative approach—helping organizations address immediate hiring needs while developing tailored, long-term strategies to attract and retain exceptional legal talent. He understands that a well-structured in-house team serves not merely as a safeguard for the business, but as a strategic partner driving broader company goals.
On the candidate side, Josh works with attorneys at every stage of their careers, providing practical guidance on positioning their experience effectively and making thoughtful, strategic career decisions.
Before attending law school, Josh worked in the legal department of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, where he developed a strong understanding of how legal teams operate. After earning his law degree and prior to transitioning into recruiting, he practiced law in Chicago and St. Louis.
In private practice Josh focused on complex class action litigation in both state and federal courts. He was also seconded to a Chicago-based private energy company, where he gained valuable insight into the operations of a corporate in-house legal department.
Josh earned his B.A. from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and his J.D. from Southern Illinois University.
He is actively involved with Tutoring Chicago, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the educational and social development of economically disadvantaged children in Chicago through one-to-one tutoring.
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