Our Story
How It All Began
Kerwin was founded on a simple belief: the most transformative tech companies are built on the strength of their people. Since 1990, we have specialized in executive search for legal and compliance teams. We partner with legal leaders at AI, emerging technology, and established companies to design and build high-impact legal teams during moments of rapid scale and regulatory uncertainty.
As the tech world has evolved, so have we. With a long-standing presence in Silicon Valley and a national reach, we are known for combining decades of legal recruitment expertise with a deep understanding of the technology sector. From guiding startups through their first in-house legal hire to helping global innovators scale complex legal and compliance functions, Kerwin has been a trusted partner at every stage of growth.
Our Leadership Team
Our Our team has dedicated itself to helping founders hire thousands of professionals in and around their legal teams. This passion and collaborative approach continues to this day and is what we’ve built our reputation on.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We believe the strongest legal teams are built on diverse perspectives. Kerwin is committed to advancing diverse legal recruitment for startups and scale-ups, as well as larger tech organizations.
In 2025, 74% of our leadership placements came from underrepresented groups, a reflection of both our network and our values.
Ready To Learn More?
If you are building a legal team, visit How We Help Our Clients to see our services and recent placements.
If you are a candidate looking for your next opportunity, explore How We Partner With Our Candidates and discover how we support careers in legal and compliance.
You can also visit our Insights & News section to read our latest reports, including our Navigating Compensation Negotiations Report, featured in Law.com and Law360.
Contact us today to start a conversation about how Kerwin can help you build or advance your legal career.