NICOLE DONNELLY
Partner
Email: ndonnelly@cardinalsp.com
Phone: 917-509-8096
Nicole is the Co-Founder and Partner of Cardinal Search Partners, which she helped launch in 2020. This was after more than 13 years as a legal recruiter at another leading New York–based recruiting company, where she was Partner and, earlier in her career, Head of the Associate Placement Group. Over the years, Nicole has represented attorneys at every level of seniority and across virtually all practice areas, guiding them as they think through their careers and make lateral moves to AmLaw 100 and 200 firms and sophisticated boutique law firms, as well as investment funds, financial institutions, and both private and public companies.
Known for her deep market knowledge and highly personal approach, Nicole is a trusted partner for attorneys looking to be thoughtful and intentional about their time in law. Her first promise to every candidate is simple: the process will always be about them, never about her. That philosophy creates real trust and allows for candid, in-depth conversations about career options, priorities, and tradeoffs. Attorneys are empowered to accept—or walk away from—opportunities with clarity and confidence. Nicole believes legal careers deserve that level of care.
Before becoming a recruiter, Nicole practiced law for several years at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, first in litigation and then in real estate. She later transitioned into the firm’s recruiting department as its first Lateral Recruiting Coordinator, where she learned firsthand what truly effective legal recruiting looks like—and just how rare and important it is to find.
Beyond her recruiting and advisory work, Nicole regularly shares market insights and career guidance on Linked In. She advises law students at top law schools on the
OCI process and frequently speaks at law schools and major industry events, including NALP conferences.
Nicole earned her B.A., cum laude, from Villanova University and her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law. She’s an avid football fan (despite the New York Giants testing her patience in recent years), loves anywhere with a beach, enjoys all forms of exercise (as much as one can enjoy exercise), and has recently developed a mild obsession with tennis and pickleball.