Benjamin Arizmendi Joins MLA as a Managing Director in the Partner Practice Group

Hanover, Maryland (November 4, 2026) — Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, announced today that Benjamin Arizmendi has joined the organization as a managing director in its Partner Practice Group. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ben works with law firms and partners on strategic lateral hiring and growth initiatives.

“We are delighted to welcome Ben to Major, Lindsey & Africa,” said David Maurer, Global Executive Director, Partner Practice Group. “Ben brings an unusually broad perspective shaped by his experience in law, financial consulting, entrepreneurship, and business development. He combines sound judgment, creativity, and a relationship-oriented approach with a strong understanding of the professional and commercial considerations that propel successful professionals forward. Ben knows how to build trusted relationships with sophisticated clients and business leaders and guide people through consequential decisions. We’re excited to have him on the team and confident that candidates and clients will value the perspective he brings.”

Before joining Major, Lindsey & Africa, Ben spent more than a decade in wealth management, including nine years with Charles Schwab & Co., where he served as a Vice President and Financial Consultant advising high-net-worth clients. During his tenure, he was among the firm's leading producers in managed-account asset gathering and was also the top producer in Schwab's San Jose branch for multiple years. He began his financial services career with RBC Wealth Management after practicing law with Swidler Berlin Shereff & Friedman LLP (now part of Morgan Lewis), where he advised telecommunications clients on regulatory and transactional matters.

Ben later founded and led Arizmendi Gallery LLC, an independent art enterprise that combined his creative interests with entrepreneurship and business development. He grew the business through direct sales, investor relationships and strategic partnerships, raising outside capital and building a network of collectors, corporate clients and institutional collaborators. His work led to collaborations with organizations including the UC Berkeley Physics Department and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and reflects his longstanding interest in the intersection of art, technology, and science.

“Joining Major, Lindsey & Africa brings together the experiences that have shaped my career: practicing law, advising clients through important financial decisions, building a business and developing long-term relationships,” said Benjamin. “Partner moves and law firm growth decisions require more than matching credentials with an opportunity. They require a thoughtful understanding of each person’s priorities, motivations and long-term goals. I am excited to bring that perspective to MLA and to work alongside colleagues across the firm’s global platform to help partners and law firms approach these decisions strategically.”

Ben earned his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles.