“I worked with Rodney in his role as a Partner Recruiter at AbstoneLalley for many years in my role as Director of Partner Recruiting & Integration at Nixon Peabody. I can’t say enough wonderful comments about Rodney. He was on our short list of recruiters. Rodney and his team “get it”. They never wasted my time with candidates that didn’t fit the profile we initially discussed. They focus on quality over quantity. In addition to being excellent in his role as a Partner Recruiter, Rodney is a genuinely good-hearted person and cares about making the right match. It’s not just about a commission, which is why I would recommend Rodney and AbstoneLalley if you’re looking to grow your team.”
“AbstoneLalley distinguishes itself from other recruiting firms. The recruiters are passionate, professional and dedicated to sourcing qualified candidates. They understand the needs of our firm, what we are looking for in applicants, and have a comprehensive understanding of the market. They are engaging, dependable and high in integrity.”
“I enthusiastically endorse Rodney Abstone’s firm, AbstoneLalley, Inc., for its particular expertise in law firm merger consulting. Rodney worked with my firm to create a merger with another law firm. When Rodney and I first met, my firm was not looking for a merger partner. However, after multiple discussions with Rodney and his colleagues, we decided to strongly consider the opportunity. Working with Rodney and his team was a great experience. He consulted with us about the other firm, worked with both firms in arranging critical meetings, and encouraged us to think about the big picture and see the potential success that could result from a merger. His advice and guidance throughout the entire process was critical to moving the discussions forward. Rodney is a no-nonsense person, but one who you enjoy being around. So even when there were hard decisions to make, Rodney was there with the right questions and answers. Rodney made it clear that our concerns were his concerns, and despite whether we would close the deal or not, he had our best interests at heart. With his guidance, my firm was able to successfully complete the merger deal. In working so closely with Rodney throughout this process, he not only served as an exceptional consultant for my firm, he also became a dear friend. I eagerly refer others to Rodney and his firm for his professional expertise.”
“Our working group, which includes both transactional and litigation concentration, recently had the pleasure of working with Rodney when we elected to seek a new platform for our practice. Although we had been well-situated in a highly respected firm, we sought to transition into a firm with greater resources and a global footprint. Rodney’s extensive personal connections and highly regarded profile among the vanguard of highly respected firm managing partners and lateral coordinators was a key factor in our good fortune of receiving multiple offers from those ranks. Rodney’s well-deserved reputation among elite firms is balanced by his seasoned experience. His advice and guidance was strongly beneficial in the process of identifying the best fit for us and establishing mutually satisfactory arrangements which have already boosted both the range and depth of our practice. Rodney’s diplomatic, straightforward performance is impressively bolstered by his dedication and accessibility. Just as we had been assured would be the case by others who had previously worked with Rodney, we were made to feel that our project was Rodney’s top priority. We were nothing short of amazed at the rapid pace in which he proceeded to smoothly handle all aspects of his responsibilities. Summing up our opinion of Rodney in two words is easy: Utterly topnotch.”
“Rodney, my partner, John Stephens and I wanted you to know that we really appreciate the creativity, responsiveness and expertise that AbstoneLalley and you have demonstrated in consulting, marketing and business development and in guiding Burke, Warren, Mackay and Serritella’s efforts not just to create a truly diverse law firm, but to also support the firm’s efforts to increase its marketing and business development based on the American Bar Association’s Model Diversity Survey (Resolution 113). Among other things, Resolution 113 encourages its corporate members to increase their legal spending with diverse attorneys. Your innovative approach has resulted in several new business relationships and has promoted the firm generally. As we move forward, we anticipate even greater success from such an innovative diversity-focused marketing program.”
“It is with pleasure that I write this endorsement for the professional services of Rodney L. Abstone-Carabajal and his firm AbstoneLalley. Rodney represented me in my pursuit of new professional opportunities. He worked diligently to comprehend my experiences, interests, and plans. Rodney was innovative in developing an effective marketing strategy and utilized his expansive network to promote my candidacy. He was very knowledgeable about the organizations and the industry I was targeting and provided sound strategic advice. Throughout the search process, Rodney maintained a direct and timely level of communication, demonstrating a strong personal and professional interest in assisting me in my plans, while also respectfully managing those of the other parties with which he was engaged. Rodney is a consummate professional, and a person that I highly recommend to those with career interests in the legal industry.”
“Rodney was a terrific partner throughout the entire interview process. From the very beginning, he was supportive, thoughtful, and responsive. I could not have asked for a better collaborator as I wound my way through a very thorough – and actually enjoyable – series of interviews and meetings. If I ever have the opportunity to engage someone the caliber of Rodney to help me find exciting, top-notch talent (and make sure that talent is supported the entire time), I won’t waste a split-second bringing him on board.”
“We began working with Rodney over eighteen years ago. Understanding a firm’s culture, goals, and specific position needs are key to a strategic recruiting partnership. Rodney and Sara have taken the time to understand our firm’s hardworking, fun, rewarding and diverse environment, and therefore are able to recruit and submit great candidates to us. MBHB appreciates its long-standing relationship with AbstoneLalley, Inc. and is proud to be a business partner with this women- and minority-owned firm.”
“I have worked with Rodney Abstone since the mid-2000s and, over these many years while also working with others in his field and areas of expertise, he remains the gold standard. I have worked with Rodney as a professional services firm client and as an individual seeking a new career position. The differentiator with Rodney is his fine focus on getting to know his clients and the personal passion he has toward providing stellar service, support and success. His many years of experience which encompass all areas of the businesses and individuals he represents enables him to quickly and accurately assess the areas of importance and provide a solid path to the right solution while providing clear and impactful communication throughout the process. I would be pleased to speak directly with anyone seeking additional information
and details.”
“Rodney assisted me in a recent transition from a previous employer to my current position. He is the consummate professional when it comes to his approach to executive search and placement. He is genuinely invested in the process from start to finish and is very personable and professional in his interaction with people. He possesses a tremendous knowledge of the Chicago legal community. He is refreshingly honest, forthright and even keeled in his advice and assistance. He has an amazing personality and wit about him that makes him a joy with whom to work. I would not hesitate to recommend Rodney to my colleagues and peers.”
“Whenever you need to know what’s available to you as a possible next step in your career as a partner in a law firm, Rodney will provide excellent advice and give you an in-depth personal survey of the marketplace. His services don’t stop there. Rodney will be there with you until he finds a perfect fit for you and your clients. You won’t be disappointed!”
“Rodney Abstone is in business for the long haul, not the quick buck, and behaves accordingly. He has the expertise to understand his clients’ needs and actually takes the time to get to know his candidates. Rodney has a keen intuition about people. In a landscape so thick with ‘expert’ legal recruiters you can’t throw a rock without hitting one, he’s a gem.”
“I had the opportunity to work with Rodney recently and because of the amazing experience I had, I felt compelled to write a recommendation on his behalf. If you have the opportunity to work with him, you will not be disappointed. Not only did Rodney do a great job of preparing me for a new position in which he was tasked with filling, he really made a point to make sure the person who ultimately was hired was a good fit for the firm. He was completely transparent and honest with me about the position, the firm and the leadership while maintaining the utmost professionalism throughout the process. He is so easy to talk to and made me feel comfortable enough to ask honest questions. I have had the experience with some recruiters where it appears that they are more focused on just finding someone to fill the position for their own benefit than they are for the good of their clients. This was absolutely not my experience with Rodney. He was patient and was a really great sounding board for me to express some of my anxiety about starting over somewhere new (after having been employed with the same firm for almost 10 years). Additionally, we had a time difference (he in Chicago and me in Los Angeles), yet he responded to my calls and text messages at all hours of the day and night! I am absolutely thrilled with my new position and my new firm, but would have zero hesitation to reach out to Rodney again if and when that time comes.”
“Every once in a while you meet an individual who is truly special in their field. I encountered that when I met Rodney earlier this year. I found myself in transition for the first time in almost two decades. When I was introduced to Rodney through a mutual friend/colleague, I knew immediately that he would be different from all the other recruiters that I had met thus far. Rodney truly cares about everyone he comes into contact with and finds a way to get to know you and assist you at a level that is quite different from all the other recruiters I know. He is knowledgeable to be sure. However, it is his honesty, openness, and the way he approaches his job that makes him a step above all the others. Rodney has that special personality that gets him the results he seeks and you just can not go wrong when you have him in your corner!”
“It is with pleasure that I write this endorsement for the professional services of Rodney L. Abstone-Carabajal and his firm AbstoneLalley. Rodney represented me in my pursuit of new professional opportunities. He worked diligently to comprehend my experiences, interests, and plans. Rodney was innovative in developing an effective marketing strategy and utilized his expansive network to promote my candidacy. He was very knowledgeable about the organizations and the industry I was targeting and provided sound strategic advice. Throughout the search process, Rodney maintained a direct and timely level of communication, demonstrating a strong personal and professional interest in assisting me in my plans, while also respectfully managing those of the other parties with which he was engaged. Rodney is a consummate professional, and a person that I highly recommend to those with career interests in the legal industry. Rodney works tirelessly, compassionately and with a healthy mix of candor and professionalism. He has produced for me opportunities that have exceeded the scope of my expectations and, in some cases, my imagination. Although I am aware that he is quite busy and highly sought-after, his exceptional work and results on my behalf made me feel that I was his only client. I recommend him with great enthusiasm (and appreciation).”
“I had the pleasure of working with Rodney Abstone-Carabajal and would recommend his firm Abstone Lalley without reservation to any colleague that wants to take the next step in their career. From the start, Rodney was generous with his time, insightful and gracious in sharing his vast experience. He was genuinely interested in getting to know me to fully understand my goals before launching into a deliberate job search. He worked closely with me to refine my CV and focused my search on only those firms that would directly complement my skill set. When it came time for interviews, Rodney provided patient coaching and honest feedback to help me prepare for success. This gave me confidence that allowed me to present well through a series of challenging interviews and secure job offers. I credit Rodney for helping me take a huge step up in my career from a small firm to a preeminent international employment firm. Job searches can be challenging and stressful but having a professional like Rodney in your corner can make all the difference.”
“Rodney is an exceptional individual, one who makes the recruiting process seem like a breeze despite its obvious challenges. Within a matter of 15 days, Rodney was able to place me into an AmLaw firm despite certain factors that would make my candidacy less attractive at face value. Throughout the entire process, Rodney shared his more than 20 years of experience to help me navigate both personal and professional considerations. His counsel is as wise as it is pleasant. Having worked with many legal recruiters before, Rodney’s skills and demeanor set him a league above all others. He is the Rolls Royce of recruiters.”
