I was about to leave the entertainment industry entirely, but then I called Josh. I planned to leave my boutique entertainment talent law firm and transition to another area of the law in order to attempt to move into Biglaw, but first, I wanted to try to break into Biglaw while remaining in entertainment. 

Josh and I immediately connected and I knew he was someone I could trust. Josh has a thorough understanding of the entertainment law market, and he reminded me that my years of experience in entertainment (even though not in Biglaw) amounted to a rare and valuable skill set. Together, we targeted the only four Biglaw firms that I was interested in. From the time I first spoke to Josh to the day I gave notice at the boutique, it took only three months. During that time, Josh connected me and guided me through countless rounds of interviews with 3 out of the 4 Biglaw firms we were targeting. Within three months, I had accepted an offer at the #1 firm in my practice area. 

Today, I have my dream job, and I will be forever grateful that Josh believed in me and reinvigorated me to continue to pursue my passion. Josh played a pivotal role in my career and my life, and I look forward to maintaining the relationship for years to come.

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Entertainment Associate at AMXXXXxLAW 50 Firm

I've worked with Whistler Partners for over 3 years, and this is the second offer I've accepted through them in that time. Their knowledge of the technology sector is top notch – they clearly know and were able to introduce me to the best opportunities in it. And more specifically, Taylor and Nadeen have been fantastic to work with. They’re never pushy, provide detailed and nuanced insight about specific roles and general career trajectory, and always prepared me in advance of each interview. Really glad to have them in my corner!

ARON NIMANI

Technology Transactions and Licensing Senior Associate at WilmerHale

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)

Long before I met Karen, I was a huge fan. I followed her on Twitter and listened to her charming and insightful podcast regularly. So, when I heard she was joining Whistler Partners, it felt like fate.

Before reaching out to her, I had already spent several months (unsuccessfully) submitting applications through other recruiters and on my own and was starting to lose hope. However, I knew if anyone could help me, it was Karen Vladeck.

Not only did I tell her that I wanted to lateral to a different city as a very junior associate, but I also wanted to transition to a new practice group. Karen didn’t blink; she listened and immediately got to work tailoring a list of firms that fit my needs and preparing me for interviews.

Within weeks, I received and accepted an offer for my dream job as a corporate associate in Austin. Before starting this process, I didn’t know all of the benefits of working with a good recruiter like Karen, but her deep insider knowledge and powerful advocacy set me up for success.

She is responsive, kind, and wildly effective at her job. You will not find a better recruiter/therapist/friend than Karen Vladeck.

Summer Thomas

Corporate Associate at Haynes and Boone

If you’re thinking about calling Karen, just stop reading this and go call Karen. It will be the best thing you’ve done for yourself and your career in a long time. I know it was for me.

Here’s what you can expect once you’ve got Karen on your team: expert insider advice on the legal market – including not only the best options for you now, but the best options to position you for your next chapter; invaluable assistance with your resume and application materials; a cheerleader who will talk you up to all the right folks; a mentor who will prep you for interviews, debrief them afterwards, and provide solid advice all along the way; a national network of recruiters who will pitch in with advice on specific markets as needed; and – most importantly – a friend you can trust to help guide you during one of the most important decisions of your career.

Karen helped me land the exact position in the exact practice area in the exact location I wanted. I cannot imagine making a legal career move without Karen, and I hope I never have to.

Brittany Fowler

Entertainment Associate at O'Melveny

Sarah is a matchmaker, not just a recruiter. As a retool entering a different market, I relied on Sarah to help me understand the landscape of tech transactions and brainstorm roles that would be a good fit. She knew what firms would suit my personality before I even had my interviews. Sarah also made the lateral process so easy so I could focus on my job. She guided me through a preparation session before every interview, put me in touch with Whistler contacts as I was making my decision, and negotiated an offer package that met all of my asks.

ELLIS LIANG

Technology Transactions Associate at Fenwick & West

Josh leveled with me from the start. He never tried to sell me on a position, but rather took the time to talk through options and took a vested interest in my career. I was more than just a commission.

Whether you're trying to break in or move up in the ultra competitive tech or entertainment fields, Whistler can actually get you there. Whistler's industry focused networks and resources allow them to deliver where the other guys can't.

I recommend Josh to everyone because he delivered. He listened to where I wanted my career to go and then paved the road to get there.

MARK BONIN

Legal Counsel at The Kraft Group; New England Patriots; New England Revolution

Regardless of what his jokes might suggest, "Tad the Dad” is so much more than that. For candidates who want to work with someone who really listens and understands their career goals, Tad is the recruiter for you. Not only did Tad identify opportunities and advocate on my behalf throughout the process, I learned a lot about the landscape of entertainment law firms in NYC. When we met, I was working in a seemingly unrelated area of law but Tad could see that I was passionate about working in entertainment and helped me market my experience so I could make the leap. Transitioning from one position to another isn't always easy but it really helps to have someone in your corner like Tad.

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Entertainment Associate at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Whistler and Josh Bilgrei supercharged a fairly languid lateral search into high gear and impressed me with their knowledge of the tech law firm landscape and we zeroed in quickly on what I wanted and where I could get that. A few years after my lateral switch, I can’t thank them enough and for anyone considering a similar career move, can’t recommend them enough.

BEN ROSALES

Corporate, Emerging Growth Companies Associate at Goodwin

Taylor and I met in unusual circumstances. It wasn’t a recruiting email or a listed job. In fact, Taylor and I met after I had spoken with another legal recruiter who completely dismissed the transition I was looking to make as “impossible.” I insisted that I wanted to move from Project Finance to EC/VC and he pointed me to Taylor. After a few seconds on the phone I could tell this was the guy and he was at the firm that was going to get me there. Taylor, and Whistler Partners for that matter, are frankly the best at what they do. They leverage personal and professional connections to get you where you want to go. After hearing time and time again that it was impossible to have the career I wanted, here came Taylor who didn’t point out a problem, but instead offered a solution. Low and behold, Taylor’s strategy worked out and today I am an EC/VC associate at a top 3 firm for EC/VC.

Taylor not only worked with me to get me the transition I wanted, but once I was at the new firm Taylor was always readily available to answer questions, offer advice and give perspective on the transition. Whistler Partners and Taylor are well connected, smart, and experienced and those who use their services benefit greatly from their well-earned respect in just about every field of law. Taylor and Whistler Partners have gone on to help several people in my network contemplate and execute excellent lateral moves. Whether you are looking to move to another firm in the same field or if you are trying pivot and change careers entirely, I cannot recommend them enough. If you’re considering a move, or even if you’re not, a conversation with Taylor and the folks at Whistler can, and will, open your eyes into how you can make your professional (and frankly personal) life better.

JOSE CORTE-REAL

Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate at Wilson Sonsini

I have had such an amazing experience with Wolf and his team! As I was considering shifting into a new area of practice, Wolf listened intently to what I was looking for. Unlike recruiters I worked with in the past, Wolf only provided me with opportunities that were relevant to my goals. Wolf and his team listened to what I wanted in a new firm and provided instrumental advice during the interview process.

Most importantly, when I received my offer from xxxxxxxxxxx, Wolf didn't pressure me to take it. Instead, he told me to reflect on how this next move will fit into my overall career trajectory and think about those considerations before accepting. The Whistler team looks at the bigger picture and truly focuses on how to ensure you have the best experience and land the offer you really want!

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Emerging Companies Associate at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

During the second half of 2020, any coronavirus vaccine seemed like a distant hope and I'd had to attend my grandmother's funeral virtually. I was desperate to move closer to family and when I said I wanted to move to Los Angeles permanently and pivot to working with tech start-ups (perhaps not thinking clearly about the difficulty of doing so when the market was quiet), my law school classmates highly recommended Josh Bilgrei at Whistler Partners; Josh had placed several of my classmates and was quickly becoming our go-to recruiter. They felt that even though the market was quiet, if anyone could help me make the move, it would be Josh.

Where others said "impossible" or "unlikely", Josh never gave up and thought creatively to make sure we were doing everything we could to make the move happen. Perhaps most importantly, I felt that Josh always had my best interests at heart and was always guiding the process with my professional and personal goals in mind. I echo the words of my classmates and highly recommend Josh, who was a confidence-inspiring coach and guide, even during the most unprecedented times.

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Emerging Companies Associate at xxxxxxxxxxxxx