Warren Smith

When it comes to legal recruitment in British Columbia, there is perhaps no more recognizable name than Warren Smith. From law firm mergers to General Counsel placements, office openings to targeted talent acquisitions, Warren has been at the center of some of the most important legal moves not just in British Columbia, but across Canada and beyond.
With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Warren has placed more lawyers in British Columbia than any other recruiter in Canada. He is a trusted advisor to CEOs, General Counsel, Managing Partners, and many top legal practitioners for his unparalleled insight on issues facing the legal industry today.
A past recipient of Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty under 40, Warren was also the first Canadian to serve as the President of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC), North America’s largest industry association for legal recruitment. He appears regularly before the courts as a certified expert on lawyer career and compensation matters, and is a frequent speaker, columnist, and author on the Canadian legal industry.
In July 2021, Warren was the only Canadian legal recruiter named to the 5th annual Lawdragon Global 100 Leaders in Legal Strategy & Consulting list, in recognition of his expertise in strategy, consulting, and recruitment.
Outside recruiting, Warren enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, who are the only people who enjoy put up with his terrible Dad jokes.
Education
- Called to the Bar of British Columbia, 2004
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), University of British Columbia, 2003
Associations
- The Lawyers Daily – Regular Columnist “The Headhunter”
- St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild of British Columbia – Chair
- Red Mass Dinner – Steering Committee
- Traditional Learning Academy – Board Member
- National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC) – Past President & Board Member
- Make-A-Wish Foundation (BC and Yukon Chapter) – former Vice-President and Board Member
- Signal Hill – Past Board Member
- UBC Law Alumni Association
Speaking Engagements
- Canadian Bar Association
- Canadian Corporate Counsel Association
- Canadian Defence Lawyers
- National Association for Law Placement (NALP)
- National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC)
- South Asian Bar Association
- University of British Columbia
- University of Victoria