I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Sean for over 10 years now (!), and throughout that time he has consistently been an invaluable resource for career advice, connections, and opportunities. Sean combines deep industry knowledge with a genuine commitment to understanding and supporting the professionals he works with. Whether it’s he's been helping navigate career moves or just convincing me to get out there and network, Sean is someone I can always count on to deliver thoughtful, reliable guidance and advice.

LAUREN THOMAS

General Counsel at Faire

Where to even begin! Sean has been by my side, or rather lifting me up, every step of my journey to becoming a startup and venture attorney, and most recently a startup and venture partner at Perkins Coie! His firm reached out to me when I was a junior back at Paul, Weiss to say psssst you could be making the same amount of money, but repping startups and I couldn't believe it! Whistler helped me get my first startup role at Foley Hoag, knowing I wanted to keep doing M&A while learning startup. Then Whistler helped me navigate moving over to Fenwick where I fully committed to startup. And then Sean himself called me up to let me know he thought there might be a role for me at Perkins to help them scale their NY startup practice - literal matchmaking that none of us knew we needed, but Sean knew. B/c he knows everyone and everything there is to know about startup and venture legal recruiting. He helped me negotiate my offer, including a look at partner, and lo and behold I got that look and became a partner on the timeline I wanted. I'm eternally indebted to Sean. If you want to be a startup lawyer, you need to know Sean, no questions asked. He doesn't just open doors, he creates them. He's the best in the business! Thank you so much, Sean. So grateful for you.

YASHREEKA HUQ

Partner at Perkins Coie

Sean has guided me in my career for years, whether I was working with him directly or not. He is an incredible talent and a fantastic friend. I have never interacted with a recruiter that cares as he does, and his results reflect that. No one knows the market/culture like Sean and Whistler. 11/10.

ROBERT BOWES

Employment Counsel at Estée Lauder Companies

Sean is as experienced and knowledgeable as they come in the recruiting space. The breadth of his network is insane. The really impressive part in working with him though is how so often his network is not limited to professional relationships but rather reflects a network of friends and people that turn to him during some of the most important and pivotal times in their lives. It’s a testament to how he really looks out for and has the back of the people that he’s working with. Placements come second to people making the right decisions for themselves and he builds relationships with folks whether they end up working with him or not. He’s good at what he does, but he’s even better at being in your corner and I’m grateful that I've had him in mine.

ROBERT C. BACA

Legal Affairs & Innovation at Adnant

Sean was excellent to work with - he has great relationships with people in the industry which he is able to leverage to find his clients great job matches. He is communicative, prompt and tailors a search to your individual needs. He helped me move from biglaw to a midsize firm as a fourth year IP associate. Would recommend working with him any time!

AMANDA DEMASI

Associate at Davis + Gilbert

Sean is a member of that rare group of recruiters who prioritize building a long-term relationship over making a quick buck. At various stages of my career, he has provided great advice and served as a sounding board as I contemplated potential moves. If you are considering a lateral move in the tech transactions space, then I strongly recommend you speak with him!

MATTHEW SNYDER

Of Counsel at Paul Hastings LLP

Just a quick note to express my extreme appreciation for all the work you’re doing on our behalf.

You’ve been more active over the last 4 weeks than all of the other firms we work with combined - flat out amazing.

Looks like sushi is the meal of choice at Whistler Partners. Whatever it is, it’s on me.

Thanks again, so very much.

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Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Managing Partner

I had a chance to work with Sean several years ago when making my first career move. It was a great overall experience. Sean’s market knowledge and impressive network with a broad opportunity set spanning both small and large firms as well as in-house was incredibly helpful. However, what really set him apart was his genuine desire to understand my career aspirations to try his best to make sure I’d be happy wherever I ended up.  I recommend Sean to anyone looking to make a career change in the legal job market. He definitely went above and beyond.   

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Deputy GC at Asset Management

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sean and Whistler Partners, and their industry knowledge has been invaluable. His insights are consistently spot-on, and his ability to understand both the personal and professional aspects of career decisions is unmatched. Sean doesn’t just focus on the immediate next step—he helps you envision the long-term path and makes sure every decision aligns with that vision. His knowledge of the legal market is remarkable, and his approach is always tailored to what’s best for you. I’d highly recommend working with Sean to anyone seeking advice or guidance on their next career move.

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Partner at xxxxxxxxxxx

I've known Sean for almost 10 years. He's been a great sounding board and has given reliable advice throughout my legal career journey, from law firm associate, to in-house lawyer, to tech-gc, and back to a firm again. Highly recommend working with Sean.

GORDON SUNG

Counsel at ArentFox Schiff

Sean and the team at Whistler Partners are great advisors for lawyers, no matter how far along they are in their legal career. Early on in my career, Sean gave me very practical advice that set me on an early path to success that I would never have gotten elsewhere (and didn't involve any kind of commission).

Whether you're looking for a new role or trying to find a top candidate, Sean's knowledge of the legal market will be a huge asset for you.

JAMES GANNON

Associate General Counsel at McKinsey & Company

I was working with another recruiter and had an offer at an AmLaw 10 firm when Sean and Wolf came in at the 11th hour with an interesting opportunity at Wilson Sonsini. After interviewing, Wilson extended an offer and I faced a tough decision. The other firm was offering a big signing bonus, but my gut told me to go with Wilson. In spite of not representing me at the other firm, Sean and Wolf gave me neutral advice. I felt like they really got to know me, that they were considering my long-term career trajectory, and that they had my best interests at heart.  Without that trust, I might not have made the right decision. Three years on, I’ve made partner at Wilson and I can happily say that their advice was spot on.

DAVID SHARON

Corporate Partner at Wilson Sonsini

Wolf, Sean and the Whistler team were massive assets in my corner when I was looking to take the next step. Their vast experience and deep understanding in the Tech / ECVC ecosystem was instrumental in helping me search for and secure my current role and their advice along the way was invaluable. Very few folks are this plugged into the market, but Wolf and Sean fundamentally understand the ECVC world. Much more than recruiters, Wolf and Sean were strategic advisors and I am very lucky to have them on my side.

BRIAN MULHALL

Partner at Goodwin

Sean called me his first day on the job nearly 20 years ago. He moved me from litigation in a failing patent boutique to IP/Corporate at a top five PPP firm. It was exactly what I asked for and completely the wrong move for me.

Then, he helped me move, without getting paid for it, to a mid-sized advertising boutique where I worked happily for several years.

Lastly, as I was on the verge of true happiness, I had picked out office space and was moving to Austin Texas to start my own boutique with great weather and no state taxes, he asked me to “have breakfast and shake a hand” with this great firm he knows. Almost a decade later, it was a perfect fit.

Now we use Whistler to find other great attorneys fed up with Big Law that want interesting work and better lives.

S. GREGORY BOYD

Partner & Co-Chair of Interactive Entertainment Group at Frankfurt Kurnit

Unlike other recruiters, Sean and Whistler listened to what I wanted in a job and actively pursued those types of positions. At the time I was attempting to move from one practice area to another and most recruiters pitched me for the same practice area over and over. Whistler also had access to firms that were not on the typical recruiter “list.” I highly recommend them!

LINDSAY RODMAN

Senior Director, Business & Legal Affairs at Atlantic Records (former Davis & Gilbert)

I spoke to Sean at a moment of a big career transition. He listened carefully to where I was coming from, and his thoughtful and candid perspective was extremely helpful. The Whistler team got back to me within hours with several options for next steps that helped sharpen my focus and clarify my next steps.  

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Senior Counsel at XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX

Sean and the Whistler team deeply understand the in-house and law firm markets and how they work together. As we've grown, I've relied on them to help us think through new openings, understand the market and find top talent.

JOSH BESER

Former General Counsel of Away, Emerging Companies Partner at Wilson Sonsini

Whistler Partners is an outstanding firm, and they've become the gold standard for tech recruiting both on the law firm side and in-house. They have a deep bench, and they have all  of the same resources (if not more than) the big shops do, but their differentiators are unparalleled relationships and how they make the overall experience to be highly personalized.

SACHIN BANSAL

General Counsel at SecurityScorecard

The Whistler team has deep relationships with EGVC, private equity and corporate attorneys and have tremendous domain expertise in these areas. I always pay close attention to the candidates they work with. On top of that, the Whistler team is also a pleasure to work with.

JEFFREY LEHRER

Chair, Emerging Growth and Venture Capital and Member, US Executive Committee at DLA Piper

Sean and team are THE go-to recruiters – he didn’t even place me, but gave me great advice in me getting to my place. And now I go to them every time when anyone I know is thinking through a career move and when I need another hand on deck.

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Emerging Companies Partner at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sean and his experienced team at Whistler consistently identify exactly the right candidate when I have an open position. They understand the market and they listen to me — but, more importantly, it’s clear that they listen to their candidates. And they’re terrific to work with.

JAHAN SHARIFI

Partner & Co-Chair of Investment Funds and Asset Management at Barnes & Thornburg

Sean - wanted to tell you how much I appreciate what you and you team are doing for us, and for the fact that you “get” our vision etc.

You were right when you first called me – xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx are a perfect fit in terms of how we see the world. I’m excited for xxxxxxxx to grow with Whistler and to build something very cool and ready for the future. I’m looking forward to doing some great deals with you.

Just wanted to drop a line – don’t share this – it’ll ruin my image…😊

xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx 

CEO and Managing Partner of  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Whistler has been an invaluable partner to our firm as we have grown over the years. Sean Burke and his team really took the time to get to know what is unique and special about our firm – which translated into Whistler being able to consistently bring us candidates who are a great fit.

JEFFREY GREENBAUM

Managing Partner at Frankfurt Kurnit