Nancy Palermo leads Garrison's in-house legal recruiting practice and serves as the firm's Chief Operating Officer. For more than two decades, she has partnered with companies ranging from emerging growth businesses to Fortune 500 organizations to build and strengthen their legal departments through the recruitment of exceptional legal talent. Her practice spans all levels of in-house legal hiring, including General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, and specialized counsel roles across virtually every legal discipline.
Palermo's unique perspective is informed by her experience advising both employers and attorneys. She regularly counsels law firm partners and associates seeking to transition in-house, as well as experienced in-house lawyers pursuing opportunities that align with their professional goals, leadership aspirations, and long-term career trajectories. This dual vantage point enables her to identify not only highly qualified candidates, but also those who will thrive within a company's culture, leadership team, and business environment.
Lawdragon Honors
| Honor | Year | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| The 2026 Lawdragon 100 Global Leaders in Legal Strategy & Consulting | 2026 | Professional Recruiting, esp. In-House |
Known for her market knowledge, candid advice, and relationship-driven approach, Palermo serves as a trusted advisor throughout the hiring process. Whether helping a legal department define a critical role, assess talent, or navigate a complex search, her focus remains the same: creating successful, lasting matches between outstanding lawyers and the organizations they serve.
“Nancy provides the specialized type of service that makes me feel like I am her most important client. Her meticulous work when developing each search we've done has paid off in the quality of candidates netted and, ultimately, in the quality of attorneys we've hired. She has also made herself readily available to help me work through how to think about different positions before we even committed to running a search.”
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH NANCY PALERMO
Palermo's clients rely on her to be more than a recruiter. They view her as a strategic advisor, sounding board, and advocate who takes the time to understand their goals, challenges, and priorities. Palermo believes successful searches begin with listening, thoughtful analysis, and honest communication.
Whether she is advising a General Counsel on a critical hire or helping an attorney navigate an important career decision, Palermo brings a combination of market insight, practical judgment, responsiveness, and genuine care for the people involved. Clients appreciate that she is direct when guidance is needed, transparent throughout the process, and fully invested in helping them achieve the best possible outcome.
"Nancy is the first name I think of when I’m asked to recommend a recruiter. She not only found me a unique in-house opportunity perfectly suited to my professional experience but also worked tirelessly with me throughout the process to prepare me for interviews and offer valuable insight. Nancy was therefore not only a pleasure to work with, but a genuine asset during the interview process. Her insight and guidance allowed me to confidently approach interviews."