Ryder Smith Legal Search is a boutique California-based legal placement agency that specializes in the permanent placement of exceptional attorneys and attorney groups with client law firms and companies. While our team is devoted to finding our clients qualified attorney candidates quickly, our focus is also on making the right placement.

Our diligence, professionalism, and knowledge of the legal market are unmatched, and we are dedicated to making the placement process a seamless one, for clients and candidates alike.

Please note that the recruiters at Ryder Smith Legal Search believe in giving back to the community. A significant portion of the Company’s profits is donated to philanthropic organizations.

Lee Kuhn
Lee Kuhn founded Ryder Smith Legal Search after working at a reputable California legal placement agency for many years. There, she headed up the agency's San Francisco office, and placed attorneys in-house and with law firms -- both nationally and internationally. Prior to entering the search business, she practiced employment law at two large international law firms in California. She earned her J.D. from the Duke University School of Law, and graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College.

During her free time, Lee works as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (SFCASA) for a child in the foster care system and is a director of a local animal rescue organization.

Lee works in San Francisco, and can be contacted at lee@rydersmithlegal.com, or at 415.359.5111.

Samantha Johnston
Samantha Johnston earned her MBA in 2003 from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where she served on the Wharton Graduate Association Executive Council. She earned her B.A. from Hamilton College. Prior to joining Ryder Smith Legal Search, Samantha led an extensive marketing and consulting career at both start-up companies and leading consumer packaged goods companies including E & J Gallo Winery and Nestlé USA.

In her downtime, Samantha is passionate about sports and is an avid runner and skier. She also enjoys travel and contemporary art.

Samantha works in Los Angeles, and can be contacted at samantha@rydersmithlegal.com, or at 213.537.9362.

Alexandra Kuhn
Alex joined Ryder Smith Legal Search after having worked in legal recruiting and professional development in-house at a reputable local firm in San Francisco. Alex's past recruiting work focused on lateral attorney recruitment for all practice areas. Her work in professional development focused on attorney performance and education. Alex earned her B.A. in Economics from Wheaton College (MA).

Alex works in San Francisco, and can be contacted at 415.493.8132, or at alex@rydersmithlegal.com

Christina Woo
Christina Woo earned her MBA in 1999 from Harvard University's Graduate School of Business Administration and graduated with highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Prior to joining Ryder Smith Legal Search, Christina was a Wall Street analyst at Morgan Stanley, a strategy consultant in Bain & Company's San Francisco and Hong Kong offices, and a recruiter with BCG. Christina enjoys marathon running, cheering for the Tar Heels during basketball season, and attempting to find the perfect bowl of pho.

Christina works in San Francisco, and can be contacted at christina@rydersmithlegal.com, or at 415.829.2272.

Kristen Williams
Kristen Williams earned her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. She then went on to pursue her J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she served as the Executive Editor of the Law Review. After graduating from law school, Kristen practiced management-defense employment law at reputable employment law boutiques in San Francisco. During her free time, Kristen enjoys yoga, traveling, and being a mother to her two children.

Kristen works in San Francisco, and can be contacted at kristen@rydersmithlegal.com, or at 415.735.1007.

Katie Wharton
Prior to joining Ryder Smith Legal Search, Katie was a business analyst at Deloitte Consulting and a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Management, both in New York City. She also spent two seasons as a wildland firefighter on helicopter crews in Northern and Southern California. Most recently, she worked in business development in the Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Division at Russell Investments. Katie enjoys running, cycling, cross-fit, and visiting the east coast to see her nephews.

Katie works in Los Angeles, and can be contacted at katie@rydersmithlegal.com, or at 310.948.3557.