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Jeff Liebster is a Partner with our Partner Practice Group.  He is a zealous advocate for both candidates and firms, which is evident in his track record of successful partner placements in geographically diverse array of offices of the world’s top law firms.  Jeff's practice is principally referral-based, in large part due to the fact that his relationships are far reaching and extend well beyond the effective date of any combination or move. His clients will attest to his continuing commitment to advising on successful business development and integration issues. Candidates look to Jeff as a long-term strategic career counselor—not only at a time when they are considering an imminent move.

Jeff, who has residences in both Delray Beach, Florida and Greenwich, Connecticut, was very active in athletics while at the University of Michigan and in high school at Fieldston. He has served as an elected member of the board of directors of the Football Alumni of Michigan (FAM) and mentors several current and recent players about life after football. Jeff is currently a member of Rockrimmon Country Club in Connecticut.

He and his wife are blessed with two married daughters and two grandchildren. Their oldest daughter is a Northwestern grad with an advanced degree in art history from NYU who is responsible for the online and social media presence of Golf Digest. Jeff's younger daughter has a BA in Film and Studio Art from the University of Vermont and a master's in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University's Peabody School. She recently left a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of our public schools, where she was for six years. While there, she managed the relationship with the NYC Department of Education, among others and is now an independent education policy consultant as well as the owner of a bakery that specializes in the creation of custom baked goods with a nostalgic twist.

Jeff began his legal career as a corporate and real estate associate with a large firm in Los Angeles. He also worked as a solo practitioner and with a boutique firm in Beverly Hills before leaving the full-time practice of law. Jeff has also owned a real estate company and sports agency and was the managing partner of a private investment fund. His diverse professional experience provides individuals and groups of partners with a fresh perspective on the wide range of options available to build and enjoy a fulfilling legal career.

Jeff's articles and speaking engagements have primarily focused on law firm partnership structures as well as the Mexico legal market, and have also comprised appearances on several panels, including a pre-COVID presentation with the leaders of several top AmLaw firms entitled, “Free Agency Comes to the NY Legal Market.”

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: J.D.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: B.A., Journalism, with high distinction

  • “Thank you and your team for all of your help and guidance in getting this transaction completed. Your knowledge and insight was invaluable in not only understanding what to expect, but in how to deal with it as well.  I think that you helped prevent deal fatigue and kept us focused on our goal, which lead to the closing of the transaction.” – Mark Indelicato, Managing Partner of NY boutique Hahn & Hessen, whose 45 lawyers combined with St. Louis-based Thompson Colburn on July 1, 2021
  • “Jeff has had a profound impact on the Mexico City legal market and his work has reshaped many firms. My partners and I value very much our relationship.” – Michell Nader, Nader, Hayaux & Goebel, perennial Chambers and Partners “Mexico Law Firm of the Year”
  • “When I began working with the Major, Lindsey & Africa team, we discussed finding an exceptional and unique opportunity at the right firm. I am pleased to share that every step of the way, Jeff was professional and the quality of his representation and guidance was superb.” – Daniel Stein, former Chief of the Criminal Division for the US Atty’s office of the SDNY and now leader of the Global Regulatory and Investigations Group and co-leader of the White Collar Group at Mayer Brown

Jeff has assisted groups, individual partners and firms in some of the most high-profile placements of the past decade-plus. Representative matters include:

  • The merger of a 45-lawyer, NYC-based bankruptcy, finance and litigation boutique with a national firm.
  • The merger into a global firm of an 80-lawyer local institution, creating Hogan Lovells' Mexico City office and establishing the firm as one of the dominant players on the ground in the market.
  • The placement of one of the world’s premier Latin America-focused practices, headed by 10 NY-based partners.
  • The placement of more than a dozen attorneys in their transition from government service into law firm partnerships, including senior lawyers coming from the SDNY, EDNY, D-NJ, Main Justice, SEC, NY and NJ AG offices, as well as offices and agencies in other jurisdictions. In addition, placement of more than a dozen former AUSAs and others with significant leadership roles in moving from law firms into other law firms and private sector jobs.
  • The placement in the US office of a global firm of a 10 lawyer patent litigation group led by the partners who at the time held the record for the largest jury damages award for a patent litigation. The transaction was listed by The American Lawyer as one of the year's top deals.
  • The placement of a renowned eight lawyer bankruptcy/restructuring team from a small firm into a global firm.
  • The placement of a products liability litigation group headed by four partners.
  • The placement of a three partner team into the capital markets and securities practice group of a global firm.
  • The placement of a five lawyer white collar/FCPA group into two separate offices of a global firm.
  • The placement of a commercial and structured finance group that handled one of the highest profile restructuring matters of the decade.
  • The merger of a 15 lawyer litigation boutique, creating the west coast office of a NY-based global firm.
  • The placement of a six member entertainment industry-focused group with one of the most highly regarded practices in the country.
  • The placement of a four partner group headed by the leaders of a renowned IP/patent boutique.
  • The merger of a 23 lawyer, full-service firm in Mexico City into the previously small office of a global giant firm.
  • The placement of a four partner international tax and structuring team from one global firm to another.
  • The placement of several law firm and in-house lawyers into in-house legal departments, including three GC positions.

Jeff's placements have spanned North America, assisting multiple individuals and groups into new positions in New York, Florida, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. His transactions encompass a broad range of practice areas from asset management, finance, and securities, to bankruptcy, real estate, tax, energy, technology and projects.  He has worked with individuals and groups of litigators with regulatory and investigations practices, both criminal and civil, and domestic and international, as well as IP, antitrust, securities, international arbitration and complex commercial disputes.

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  • Board of Directors, 2018-2021, Advisory Board, 2016-2018, FAM (Football Alumni of Michigan)
  • State Bar of California, Inactive
  • Major League Baseball Players' Association, Inactive

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