What Does a Compliance Professional Do?

The person leading a compliance regulatory function will have to internalise conflicts and exercise supreme judgement in balancing the need to allow its business to flourish in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, whilst avoiding the potentially devastating consequences of non-compliance.

Why Is Regulatory Compliance Recruitment Important?

The regulatory compliance sector is one that is constantly evolving, making it a very interesting field to work in. Every year, new regulations and rules are being introduced, meaning compliance professionals must always be on top of the ever-changing sector to properly assess how any regulatory update can affect a business and its activities.

Rutherford Strengthens Private Practice Offering with Strategic Senior

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Rutherford Strengthens Private Practice Offering with Strategic Hires

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

London, January 2026

Rutherford Search is pleased to announce the continued expansion of its Private Practice recruitment team, reinforcing the firm’s position as one of London's most specialised legal recruitment providers. The growth reflects the natural evolution of Rutherford’s offering, following more than 15 years advising top lawyers on the in-house market across the UK, US and Europe.

This progression has brought together two complementary areas of the legal market: private practice and in-house. Rutherford is now one of the largest specialist legal recruitment teams in the City of London offering bespoke advice to clients and candidates, with an unsurpassed depth of market knowledge.

A Team Built for a Modern Legal Market

Rutherford’s Private Practice division has been built with senior capability at its core, enabling the firm to support clients with strategic lateral hiring needs while offering candidates informed and realistic market guidance.

Below is an overview of the division’s key appointments:

		Jago Verna joined Rutherford as Senior Partner to lead the Private Practice division. With over 15 years of experience recruiting Partners and Associates across major US, UK, and European firms, Jago brings recognised market insight, strong international networks, and a track record of advising on strategic Partner placements. His addition has shaped the division’s growth trajectory and strengthened its advisory capability across all practice areas.
Jago Verna
		Lucinda Mueller is a qualified lawyer with over 10 years of legal recruitment experience. She advises private practice lawyers across leading domestic and international firms, with a focus on identifying legal talent that aligns with firms’ growth priorities and practice demand. Lucinda brings a consultative approach to the market, supporting both candidates and clients.
Lucinda Mueller
		Josh Ryan has over 5 years of legal recruitment experience. He focuses on Associate-to-Counsel recruitment for leading UK, US, and West End firms. Josh has a deep understanding of associate career pathways, compensation structures, and lateral strategy, and works closely with candidates to navigate moves that align with long-term career goals. His relationships across the London legal market contribute significantly to Rutherford’s talent pipeline.
Josh Ryan
		Pascale de Froberville is a qualified lawyer having joined Rutherford as an Associate, contributing strong analytical capability drawn from her background as an attorney. Pascale supports research, market mapping, and candidate engagement across the division, ensuring the team maintains high visibility of emerging talent and evolving market movement.
Pascale de Froberville
		Varun Nair has over 6 years of legal recruitment experience and joins Rutherford to support clients across key practice groups and to advise candidates at all seniority levels. Varun’s market coverage spans broad transactional and advisory areas, allowing him to respond efficiently to both rapid hiring demand and longer-term strategic recruitment planning for clients seeking specialist legal talent.
Varun Nair

Most recently, Triston van Rensburg joined in early 2026, bringing experience as a former practising lawyer. Triston strengthens the division’s technical advisory capability and provides informed perspective on practice area dynamics, market specialisation, and client needs. His arrival reflects the continued investment into senior capability across the team.

"We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding new colleagues to the team. Their arrival significantly strengthens the support we provide to clients, adding real bench strength, depth of expertise and capability across our platform. Their experience will help us deliver even more impactfully on clients’ hiring priorities. They bring an exceptional market reputation, and we very much look forward to working with them.”
Jonathan Skerrett, Founder

About Rutherford Search

Rutherford has spent more than 15 years advising across the legal market, with direct relationships spanning leading UK, US, and European law firms. The firm’s Private Practice division operates alongside its established in-house, compliance, risk, and governance practices, providing clients with insight into market movement, career transitions, and partnership dynamics.With a combined depth of experience in legal recruitment, the team supports firms as they navigate lateral hiring, succession planning, and the broader evolution of the legal talent market. Rutherford’s research-led approach and market coverage allow clients to make informed decisions in an increasingly competitive environment.

For further information about our firm and the work we do across the legal market, please visit our About page or contact the team directly.

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