Macrae Announces Strategic Growth in London and Washington, DC
Macrae has announced the promotion of Suzy O'Keefe to Partner in London, alongside the appointments of Lex Garnham as a Managing Director in London and Megan Hemmerlein as an Associate Director in Washington, DC. These strategic moves strengthen Macrae's leadership and recruitment capabilities across two of the most dynamic legal markets in the world and reflect the firm's continued growth in transatlantic partner-level search.
Suzy O'Keefe Promoted to Partner
Suzy O'Keefe, who has been instrumental in establishing Macrae's London office as a leading force in partner-level legal recruitment, has been promoted to Partner. With over fifteen years of experience in legal search, Suzy has worked with top-ranked UK, US, and international firms, building trusted relationships with both candidates and clients. Her promotion reflects her outstanding contribution to Macrae's London office and the firm's growing presence across Europe.
Suzy’s years as a corporate lawyer bring a distinctive perspective to understanding the challenges lawyers face when considering their next move. She is passionate about helping lawyers find the right opportunities to progress their careers and assisting law firms in hiring the best talent for their teams. Suzy is well regarded in the market and is known for her diligent and considered approach when running searches and providing advice.
Lex Garnham Adds Depth to Macrae’s London Team
With over 15 years of experience across the legal industry, Lex Garnham brings deep industry knowledge to Macrae's London office. Prior to joining Macrae, Lex built a broad legal career, spanning private practice as a corporate lawyer, senior in-house roles at London Stock Exchange Group and Thomson Reuters, as well as commercial leadership positions within legal technology businesses. His experience both as a lawyer and advising legal teams within global organisations gives him a strong understanding of the capabilities required to build and sustain high performing teams
Lex's appointment comes at a pivotal time for the London office. With Suzy's promotion to Partner, the London team represents one of the strongest partner-level recruitment platforms in the market. Lex brings the same calibre of capabilities and strong values that has helped shape the strength of Macrae's London team. The London office advises clients not only across the UK but also throughout mainland Europe, Ireland, and select markets in the Middle East.
Megan Hemmerlein Broadens Macrae’s DC Offering
Megan Hughes Hemmerlein joins Macrae's Washington, DC office as an Associate Director, bringing a unique perspective shaped by two decades as a financial and political journalist. Prior to joining Macrae, Megan held senior roles at Bloomberg and ABC News, where she covered the intersection of money, politics, financial regulation, and securities markets. At ABC News, she served as coordinating producer for ABC News Live and managed evening coverage of the White House and Capitol Hill, building relationships with high-profile legal experts and policymakers.
While Megan does not have a traditional recruiting background, her journalism career uniquely positions her to understand the complexities of candidates’ practice “stories” and to match their skills to the right platforms. Her deep knowledge of enforcement actions, regulatory disputes, and the broader legal landscape that drives partner-level demand in the capital makes her an invaluable addition to the DC team. Megan's appointment reflects the continued success and growth of Macrae's Washington, DC. office, which has become a critical hub for advising law firms and partners navigating government transitions and regulatory practices.
Melinda Wallman, Global Practice Leader and Chair at Macrae, commented on the team growth:
“Since we launched Macrae in London in 2019, London has become a major focus for elite law firms as they build transatlantic teams, particularly in private capital. Suzy has played an important role in our growth, particularly guiding clients and candidates in the private equity and funds space in London. She has led the charge for us in the Middle East, where she has considerable expertise helping clients enter the UAE market. Lex is already making an impact in our London team, tapping into his peer group to meet our clients' increasing demand for next gen partner talent.”
“Washington, DC remains one of our most important markets, where we are building our own next generation of talent. Megan brings a unique perspective from her journalism career that will enhance our ability to advise partners navigating the complex regulatory and government landscape. Suzy’s promotion, and the addition of Lex and Megan underscore our commitment to building the best transatlantic team in the industry,” she added.
With a focus on thoughtful, strategic growth, Macrae remains dedicated to providing top-tier guidance to law firms and partners navigating an evolving legal landscape, helping ensure that team builds and individual moves are aligned with firm strategy, client demand, and long-term goals.