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Tevia Kretzmer

Tevia Kretzmer

Consultant

​About Tevia Kretzmer

Tevia Kretzmer is a Legal and Compliance Consultant at Rutherford, a London-based recruitment firm that specialises in compliance, financial crime, legal and cyber security searches within financial services. After obtaining his BA (LLB) from the University of Johannesburg, Tevia began his legal career at a medium-sized firm based in Johannesburg, which specialised in commercial litigation with a focus on the oil, energy and property sectors.

Upon being admitted as a qualified attorney, he pursued his LLM in International Commercial Law at the University of Kent, where he obtained a first. Tevia has now moved over to the recruitment industry, where he specialises in the In-house Legal and and Private Practice Legal sectors within financial services.

What do you anticipate for the future of Private Practice and In-house Legal within Financial Services?

I believe we will most certainly see more solicitors moving into in-house roles. In 2016, the Law Society of England and Wales predicted that 35% of solicitors will be working in-house by 2020. This can be attributed to a range of factors, but can most notably be accredited to the private sector. As we are aware, the financial services industry is heavily regulated, and I believe this will become even more so for the legal fraternity that operates within the sector. This will be particularly true for the in-house legal profession as it grows and assumes more roles within a risk-based regulatory environment, which may lead to the FCA investigating its relationship to, and responsibility for in-house solicitors.

What do you usually look for when you're interviewing candidates?

Two things come to mind: personality and confidence. It is far easier to meaningfully engage with someone who earnestly wants to have a conversation with you. The first interaction a recruiter has with a candidate will usually be over the phone, so a strong personality and the confidence to answer questions directly will always work in the candidate’s favour. While we will always make an effort to meet candidates face-to-face, that initial telephone call is imperative to the candidate leaving a good impression.

I want to be regarded as someone who is friendly, approachable but above all helpful. Entering the job market can be daunting, and it is my job to ensure that I can guide a candidate each step of the way, whether at a junior or senior level. Relationship building is an integral part of the recruitment process, and it gives me great pride when candidates turn to me for advice and assistance in their respective job searches.

What can colleagues - and friends - expect when they are around you?

They can expect someone who is committed to their duties, reliable, determined and especially up for a good time at the end of the week. I believe a good sense of humour is vital to building friendships and ensuring an enjoyable working environment for not only myself but for my colleagues too.

Can you please describe a typical day at work for you?

An americano with a shot of espresso is my ideal start to the day. I probably frequent the coffee machine far too often, but I just can’t resist. From there, I sometimes think my headset should just be glued to me, considering how many phone calls I attend to in a day. Between speaking with clients, potential candidates as well as holding conversations throughout the day with candidates who are in the interview process with clients, the headset is almost an extension of myself. I also spend a considerable amount of time considering CVs, engaging with candidates to assist in answering any questions they may have as well as some self-branding! Each day presents the opportunity to have stimulating conversations and I use each day to learn about the industry we operate within.