About Lex Exec
Specialist knowledge. A personal approach.
Lex Exec is a boutique legal recruitment and executive search business focused on Partner, Legal Director and Senior Associate appointments across London and the UK. Established by Colin Lynam, it draws on 20 years of recruitment and executive search experience and a legal background. We combine targeted research, established relationships and straightforward advice, working on a small number of live searches so that each receives focused attention.
Our Team
Colin Lynam
Founder & Head of Legal Recruitment
Colin brings 20 years of recruitment experience alongside a legal background. He holds an LLB and LLM, completed the Bar Vocational Course and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 2006. He co-founded a specialist recruitment and search firm in London in 2008, helping scale it into an international business operating across four continents before his exit in December 2024.
He established Lex Exec to focus on specialist legal recruitment and executive search. He leads client relationships and assignments, combining targeted search with straightforward advice on Partner, Legal Director and Senior Associate appointments.
Anne-Marie Kenny
Head of Talent Search
Anne-Marie has worked alongside Colin for more than 12 years, with experience in talent mapping, candidate identification and engagement across retained and exclusive search assignments.
Her work supports the research behind each search, identifying relevant people and developing candidate relationships. She helps us understand candidates' experience and priorities, supporting a considered approach to introductions.
Our Ethos
Quality over volume. Relationships over transactions.
We work on a small number of live searches at a time, giving each the research, direct conversations and careful assessment it needs. Our focus is on understanding what makes the appointment right for both sides.
Specialist knowledge
Our core markets are Private Client & Tax, Family, Employment, Real Estate, Rural & Landed Estates, and Private Wealth Disputes. We understand the differences between practices, from the work and client base to team structure and progression.
Personal advice
We explore experience, motivations and ambitions before recommending an introduction. Firms receive a clear assessment of suitability, while candidates receive honest advice, interview preparation and support through offer discussions.
Focused search
We combine targeted research with established candidate relationships and direct approaches. Each search aims to produce a considered shortlist, with a clear explanation of why each lawyer could suit the opportunity.
Trust and continuity
We agree introductions in advance and never send a candidate’s CV without permission. Regular follow-up and clear communication continue throughout the process and beyond the start date, helping relationships develop over time.
Our Approach
How we work with law firms.
01
Understand the brief
We explore the work, team structure, reasons for hiring and what the right person needs to bring. We discuss the market, agree priorities and select a retained, exclusive or contingent approach to suit the assignment.
02
Research and approach
We identify relevant firms and lawyers, draw on established relationships and approach suitable people directly. Advertising supports the search where useful, with particular care around confidential senior and Partner appointments.
03
Assess and introduce
We discuss each candidate’s experience, motivations, expectations and practical requirements before recommending an introduction. With their permission, we present a CV and written assessment explaining their suitability and any points to explore.
04
Manage the move
We coordinate interviews, prepare candidates, gather feedback and support offer discussions. We stay close through notice periods and start dates, then follow up after the appointment.