Legal recruiter consultancy Laurence Simons has opened a new office in New York.

The office is headed up by co-managing partners of North America Danice Kowalczyk and Carey Bertolet.

Kowalczyk says: “With the US legal job market steadily improving, we expect the growth we’ve seen over the past couple of months to accelerate as we enter the traditionally busy fall hiring season. The financial crisis has provided fertile ground for corporate lawsuits which continue to emerge, requiring top talent to both defend and prosecute. Law firms are also seeking strategic partners, resulting in increases in merger activity between law firms.”