About Us
Meet our experts
Tom Balmer
Tom is a founder at Third Way Legal, and our sister business Montresor Legal. He has worked within the legal recruitment industry since 2001. Tom’s clients include top investment banks, asset managers and fin tech businesses along with selected law firms.
Outside work Tom enjoys exploring new ways to battle his waistline and pretending to be knowledgeable about wine.
+44 (0)7876746728
Freddie Lawson
Freddie leads our Partner Search practice, placing partners into US and English firms, in London, Europe and Asia. Freddie qualified as a banking lawyer in 2008, before moving to search in 2010.
When not talking to lawyers, Freddie can be found on a golf course, a ski slope, coaching his children at rugby and cricket or trying to cook one meal his whole family will enjoy.
+44 7702 518 365
Roger Barron
Roger’s career as an M&A lawyer spanned over 30 years, and has included time as a Linklaters Partner, Vice-Chair of M&A at Paul Hastings and Senior Advisor to Eversheds Sutherland.
Roger’s role at Montresor involves providing counsel to Montresor consultants, clients, and individual partners represented by the firm.
Roger is also a passionate supporter of the arts. He has been a trustee of the London Music Fund, served on various committees at the Royal Opera House and is currently Chair of the London Philharmonic Orchestra's Advisory Council, having been a director since 2016.
Hamish Drake
Hamish is a Senior Director at Montresor Legal and leads the law firm practice recruiting lawyers on behalf of US and UK law firms in London and abroad. Prior to entering legal recruitment over 7 years ago, Hamish practiced as a debt finance lawyer with national and international law firms in Australia and his home country, New Zealand.
+44 (0)7400346101
Hannah Benger
Hannah has worked in private practice associate recruitment since 2011, joining Montresor from another leading legal recruitment firm where she led the associate team. She has placed lawyers at all levels of seniority and across all practice areas into many of the most prestigious and successful firms in the London market. She has extensive experience in retained, exclusive and contingent search mandates.
When not working she enjoys sampling London’s restaurant scene (and running to work it off!)
+44 (0)7593572781
Holta Loku
Holta specialises in placing Associates within Private Practice, having worked in the legal recruitment industry since 2011. Her client base consists of top US and UK law firms and she has experience across a range of transactional practice areas with a particular focus on Finance, Tax and Corporate.
Outside of work you will find Holta at art galleries and theatres or on her sofa, watching reality TV shows.
+44 (0)7593572771
Elizabeth Sotinel
Elizabeth is a Senior Consultant with Montresor's Private Practice team. She joined Montresor Legal after managing a US immigration and asylum practice out of Libreville, Gabon.
Elizabeth is an American lawyer with a JD from the University of Notre Dame and a proud Texpat who's lived in London off and on since 2016. Outside the office you can find her chasing her Havanese around Brockwell Park or forcing TexMex on her friends and family.
+44 (0)7593 572 774
Tom Balmer
Tom is a founder at Third Way Legal, and our sister business Montresor Legal. He has worked within the legal recruitment industry since 2001. Tom’s clients include top investment banks, asset managers and fin tech businesses along with selected law firms.
Outside work Tom enjoys exploring new ways to battle his waistline and pretending to be knowledgeable about wine.
+44 (0)7876746728
Joshua Blake
Josh has 10 years of recruitment experience and was previously a manager at a global PLC recruitment agency. Josh looks after all Interim roles at Montresor Legal across private practice and in-house. He has particular expertise in financial services and litigation.
Outside the office, Josh enjoys boxing and telling jokes that only he finds funny.
+44 (0)7593572763
Elmira Meehan
Elmira is a Senior Consultant in the Transactional practice at Montresor Legal. She has over 9 years of legal recruitment experience, specialising in the placement of finance, funds & regulatory lawyers into some of the major investment banks, buy side firms and law firms.
When not in the office Elmira is busy running around after her 2-year-old toddler!
+44 (0)7593572742
Billie Partridge-Naudeer
Billie’s work covers the in-house space in Commerce & Industry. She has been on the team since she graduated in 2015, first as Office and HR Manager and now as a Consultant. She specialises in tech, start-ups, and scale-ups.
Outside of work you will find Billie out with her friends, spending money she doesn’t have on things she doesn’t need.
+44 (0)7593 553 045
Phil Redhead
Phil has been working in legal recruitment since 2015 helping Heads of Legal and General Counsels to build high performing teams across a wide range of industries in both the UK and continental Europe.
When not busy chatting to lawyers you’ll probably find him wandering around the grounds of a national trust property with his wife and dog.
+44 (0) 7706 338750
Aishah Mansur-Noibi
Aishah is a Consultant in the in-house team at Montresor focusing on placements at major financial institutions. Aishah joined in 2022, after working as a banking lawyer at an international law firm.
Outside of work, Aishah enjoys listening to 90s and 00s RnB and planning her next boujee trip.
+44 (0)7513 727 487
Joshua Blake
Josh has 10 years of recruitment experience and was previously a manager at a global PLC recruitment agency. Josh looks after all Interim roles at Montresor Legal across private practice and in-house. He has particular expertise in financial services and litigation.
Outside the office, Josh enjoys boxing and telling jokes that only he finds funny.
+44 (0)7593572763
Emma Bennett
Emma joined Montresor from an international ALSP in 2021. She has over eight years experience in legal recruitment and specialises placing lawyers with corporates on an interim or fixed term basis.
Outside of work Emma enjoys yoga, cooking and maintaining a love-hate relationship with running half marathons.
+44 (0) 7593 572 749
Francesca Milton
Francesca has been working in legal recruitment since 2005 and is incredibly passionate about her job. At Montresor Legal, Francesca heads up the Business Support and Paralegal division. She can assist candidates looking for either a permanent or temporary position.
If you are looking for a move please get in touch with Francesca; she is always happy to offer advice and guidance and has excellent market knowledge.
Outside of work, Francesca enjoys spending time with her family, walking her boxer dog and exploring the Kent countryside, in particular the many lovely pubs the area has to offer!
07562 616 281
Purdeep Sihota
Purdeep is a derivatives lawyer with over 10 years experience. She has worked in both private practice and in-house. She joined Montresor Legal in 2021 and brings with her in-depth industry knowledge and a strong network of legal contacts. Purdeep mainly specialises in the financial services sector.
In her free time, Purdeep enjoys cooking, travelling and spending time outdoors hiking and cycling.
+44 (0) 7706 312 339
Hannah Oluseitan
Hannah has 4 years of legal recruitment experience in the in-house sector. She joined Montresor in 2022 coming from another leading legal recruitment agency in the interim market. Hannah specialises in providing corporates across a range of industry sectors with flexible legal resources, placing candidates on an interim and contract basis.
Outside of the office, Hannah is a competitive netball player.
+44 (0) 7513 724 389
Alex Tudor
Alex joined Montresor in early 2022 after graduating from law school. He works on placing lawyers and paralegals in both Private practice and in-house roles.
Outside of work you can find him jogging/being pulled around his local park by his German Shepard.
07706318211
Lucy Thorpe
Lucy is a Recruitment Assistant at Montresor Legal. Lucy supports and works alongside the Business Director of our Business Support team.
Outside of work you will find Lucy eating her way through London and trying not to get lost on the tube.
+44 7562 687 458
Sam Davenport
Sam joined Montresor in 2021 from a boutique in-house legal recruitment agency. With 3 years experience recruiting for companies across C&I with a focus on Fintech & Tech, Sam works on both interim and permanent positions in this area.
Outside of work you will find Sam playing or more likely talking about football, cooking or tending to one of his many houseplants.
+44 (0) 7706 312 346
Francesca Milton
Francesca has been working in legal recruitment since 2005 and is incredibly passionate about her job. At Montresor Legal, Francesca heads up the Business Support and Paralegal division. She can assist candidates looking for either a permanent or temporary position.
If you are looking for a move please get in touch with Francesca; she is always happy to offer advice and guidance and has excellent market knowledge.
Outside of work, Francesca enjoys spending time with her family, walking her boxer dog and exploring the Kent countryside, in particular the many lovely pubs the area has to offer!
07562 616 281
Oliver Woodward
Oliver is a Consultant at Montresor Legal, and joined in 2023 from a specialist business services recruitment agency. He works on placing business support and paralegal roles, working across both permanent and interim markets. Building trust and long-lasting relationships with clients and candidates is what Oliver loves about the world of recruitment.
Outside of work, Oliver enjoys long walks, spontaneous city-breaks and a Sunday roast at his favourite pub!
+44 (0)7593 553044
Alex Tudor
Alex joined Montresor in early 2022 after graduating from law school. He works on placing lawyers and paralegals in both Private practice and in-house roles.
Outside of work you can find him jogging/being pulled around his local park by his German Shepard.
07706318211
Lucy Thorpe
Lucy is a Recruitment Assistant at Montresor Legal. Lucy supports and works alongside the Business Director of our Business Support team.
Outside of work you will find Lucy eating her way through London and trying not to get lost on the tube.
+44 7562 687 458
Alexandra Crabtree
Alex is a Candidate Manager at Montresor Legal, and joined the Business Services and Paralegal team in 2023, after spending over a year supporting our Private Practice team. Alex also has two years of recruitment experience prior to joining Montresor Legal.
Alex assists candidates who are looking for a move within the Business Services and Paralegal space. She has built up excellent knowledge of the legal market after working closely with outstanding consultants on our Private Practice team. Her knowledge will ensure she can advise, understand and support you with your next move.
In her spare time you will find Alex binge watching crime documentaries and supporting the Springboks.
07562 616 276
Francesca Milton
Francesca has been working in legal recruitment since 2005 and is incredibly passionate about her job. At Montresor Legal, Francesca heads up the Business Support and Paralegal division. She can assist candidates looking for either a permanent or temporary position.
If you are looking for a move please get in touch with Francesca; she is always happy to offer advice and guidance and has excellent market knowledge.
Outside of work, Francesca enjoys spending time with her family, walking her boxer dog and exploring the Kent countryside, in particular the many lovely pubs the area has to offer!
07562 616 281
Oliver Woodward
Oliver is a Consultant at Montresor Legal, and joined in 2023 from a specialist business services recruitment agency. He works on placing business support and paralegal roles, working across both permanent and interim markets. Building trust and long-lasting relationships with clients and candidates is what Oliver loves about the world of recruitment.
Outside of work, Oliver enjoys long walks, spontaneous city-breaks and a Sunday roast at his favourite pub!
+44 (0)7593 553044
Lucy Thorpe
Lucy is a Recruitment Assistant at Montresor Legal. Lucy supports and works alongside the Business Director of our Business Support team.
Outside of work you will find Lucy eating her way through London and trying not to get lost on the tube.
+44 7562 687 458
Alexandra Crabtree
Alex is a Candidate Manager at Montresor Legal, and joined the Business Services and Paralegal team in 2023, after spending over a year supporting our Private Practice team. Alex also has two years of recruitment experience prior to joining Montresor Legal.
Alex assists candidates who are looking for a move within the Business Services and Paralegal space. She has built up excellent knowledge of the legal market after working closely with outstanding consultants on our Private Practice team. Her knowledge will ensure she can advise, understand and support you with your next move.
In her spare time you will find Alex binge watching crime documentaries and supporting the Springboks.
07562 616 276
Infrastructure
Samara Rizvi
Samara is a Finance manager at Montresor Legal and she is a financial and credit professional with multi-industry experience. She oversees payroll, accounts payable and receivables, cash flow, general ledger, reconciliations, sales commission tracking, looking after the interim side of accounts, etc.
There are several things she enjoys while working here, such as problem-solving and working as a team to grow the company.
Three things people don’t know about her are that she is a licensed pilot, she can only cook roast perfectly (as per her fiancé) and she always wins in bingo.
+44 7706 326 869
Megan Muldoon
Megan is the Office Manager at Montresor and Third Way Legal. Megan runs the administrative processes in the office, from organising Company socials, diary management, producing reports for Directors, onboarding of new employees and everything else in-between.
Outside of work you will find Megan either having cocktails and brunches with her friends or probably getting lost in London, trying to navigate the tube.
+44 (0) 7593 572 745
David Higgins
David Higgins is a board advisor to Montresor Legal. David is an entrepreneur and pioneering business leader and was a founder and CEO at Harvey Nash, growing the business into an international market leader with a £500m turnover. David a wealth of experience and demonstrable track record of business growth, strategy and successful acquisitions both in the UK and internationally.
Jez Cartwright
Jez acts as a board advisor and executive coach to Montresor, having worked with the management team for 15 years. Jez has coached a wide variety of CEO’s, leaders and teams across many sectors of the business world, as well as teams and elite performers within the professional sports world.
Our values are core to our ethos and mission to create a genuinely unique legal recruiter
Intelligence
To generate non-publicly available market intelligence that helps clients make smarter hires and candidates in planning their careers.
Innovation
To combine best-in-class technology and recruitment strategy, to improve the legal Candidate experience and help Clients recruit the most challenging hires.
Partnership
To develop durable, long-term relationships with individuals, and institutions, establishing Montresor as a key, highly valued partner firm.