Melissa Musman
Senior Managing Director
Email: mmusman@cardinalsp.com
Phone: 917-941-7447
Melissa Musman is a Senior Managing Director at Cardinal Search Partners and brings nearly three decades of experience as a highly regarded legal recruiter. She has built a national reputation for placing attorneys at all levels—ranging from associates to general counsel—at top law firms (in both legal and non-legal roles), Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, and other organizations.
Melissa’s success stems from her ability to truly connect with her candidates. A former practicing attorney, she brings both BigLaw and boutique firm experience to her work, allowing her to understand the nuances of her candidates’ backgrounds and aspirations. She is known for being thoughtful, creative, and deeply invested in the career path of those she works with. Her candidates value her as a trusted advisor—someone who listens carefully, offers direct and candid feedback, and is always available for guidance throughout the process.
Before entering the world of legal search, Melissa practiced corporate and real estate law at Kaye Scholer LLP (now Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP) and at a boutique real estate firm. She earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law, where she was a member of the Journal of International Law and Politics. During law school, she interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the S.D.N.Y. and clerked for the Honorable Robert J. Ward in the U.S. District Court for the S.D.N.Y. Melissa graduated from Cornell University, magna cum laude, where she majored in History, studied abroad in London, and was active in campus life.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys summers in Long Beach Island, Orangetheory workouts, warm yoga (not hot!), walks with her dog, and time with friends and her two daughters. She loves life in Westchester’s River Towns and will always choose the beach when given the option.
Melissa’s success stems from her ability to truly connect with her candidates. A former practicing attorney, she brings both BigLaw and boutique firm experience to her work, allowing her to understand the nuances of her candidates’ backgrounds and aspirations. She is known for being thoughtful, creative, and deeply invested in the career path of those she works with. Her candidates value her as a trusted advisor—someone who listens carefully, offers direct and candid feedback, and is always available for guidance throughout the process.
Before entering the world of legal search, Melissa practiced corporate and real estate law at Kaye Scholer LLP (now Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP) and at a boutique real estate firm. She earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law, where she was a member of the Journal of International Law and Politics. During law school, she interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the S.D.N.Y. and clerked for the Honorable Robert J. Ward in the U.S. District Court for the S.D.N.Y. Melissa graduated from Cornell University, magna cum laude, where she majored in History, studied abroad in London, and was active in campus life.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys summers in Long Beach Island, Orangetheory workouts, warm yoga (not hot!), walks with her dog, and time with friends and her two daughters. She loves life in Westchester’s River Towns and will always choose the beach when given the option.