For Employers
We partner with law firms, corporate legal departments, and growth-stage companies to place high-impact professionals who aren't on the open market — with the precision and discretion that senior-level searches demand.
The Challenge
Top-performing attorneys and executives aren't browsing job boards. They're heads-down doing exceptional work. Reaching them requires relationships — not postings.
A vacant leadership role or key attorney position creates real drag on your organization — lost revenue, increased workload on existing staff, and delayed strategic initiatives.
Sifting through stacks of unvetted resumes from generalist firms is expensive and exhausting. You need a partner who does the work before they bring you a name.
A technically qualified candidate who doesn't fit your culture or leadership style is a failed placement. We evaluate both — and we won't bring you someone we don't believe in.
What We Deliver
Every engagement follows a disciplined process — from deep discovery to successful onboarding — with senior-level attention at every stage.
We invest significant time upfront understanding your organization — its culture, leadership team, strategic direction, and the specific attributes that define success in the role. This isn't a formality. It's the foundation of every placement we make.
Our most valuable candidates aren't on the market. They're high-performing professionals who trust us to surface the right opportunity at the right time. This network is built over 30+ years and cannot be replicated with a database search.
We present 3 to 5 thoroughly vetted finalists. Every candidate has been interviewed, evaluated for cultural fit, and confirmed as genuinely interested in your specific opportunity. No filler. No wasted interviews.
You work directly with Tom Citera — not a junior recruiter or account manager. Every search receives the same senior-level focus, market intelligence, and personal accountability from start to finish.
Our involvement doesn't end at the offer. We manage the close, assist with compensation structuring, and stay engaged through the candidate's first weeks to ensure a successful transition.
Who We Serve
Lateral partner searches, senior associate placements, and practice group buildouts across all major legal disciplines.
Roles We Place
In-house counsel searches for public companies, private equity-backed businesses, and growth-stage organizations.
Roles We Place
Executive and director-level placements for healthcare AI companies, digital health platforms, pharma advertising agencies, and life sciences firms.
Roles We Place
Building leadership teams for venture-backed and private equity-backed companies navigating rapid growth, market expansion, or pre-IPO scaling.
Roles We Place
The Center Stage Difference
We present 3–5 vetted finalists, not a stack of unqualified candidates.
Our network reaches professionals who aren't actively looking.
We stand behind every placement with a guarantee period.
You work with Tom Citera personally — not a junior recruiter.
We conduct fully discreet searches with zero public exposure when needed.
Most of our clients come through trusted introductions — a testament to outcomes.
More than a placement. A strategic partnership. We don't just fill your open seat — we help you find the person who will define what comes next.
Tom Citera — President, Center Stage Search LLC
Tell us about the role and your organization. We'll listen, ask the right questions, and let you know honestly whether we're the right fit for your search.