Michael Pace Joins MLA as a Managing Director in the Partner Practice Group

Hanover, MD (February 17, 2024)—Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world's leading legal search firm, announced today that Michael R. Pace has joined the firm as a managing director in its Partner Practice Group. Based in Chicago, Mike will leverage his extensive experience and market expertise to provide strategic consulting and recruiting services to individual partners and partner groups in the lateral marketplace as well as representing law firms in connection with growth objectives, office openings, and law firm mergers. 

“We are excited that Mike has joined Major, Lindsey & Africa. With an extensive career in law and forensic consulting, Mike brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by law firms and partners in serving their clients,” said David Maurer, executive director of the Partner Practice Group. “His vast network of leading lawyers in law firms and in-house legal departments across various industries enables him to provide valuable insights to high-performing partners and firms as they navigate their paths forward.” 

Prior to joining MLA, Mike served as a forensic consultant at several firms, including Kroll, FTI Consulting, Berkeley Research Group, and, most recently, Stout Risius & Ross, where he focused on law firm and corporate clients. He began his career in practicing law at Winston & Strawn handling civil and white-collar matters. He also worked as an Assistant US Attorney in Chicago with the Department of Justice, where he spent five years investigating and prosecuting fraud, racketeering, narcotics, violent crime, and other complex cases. After the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mike practiced law at Jenner & Block, where he handled commercial and civil litigation matters, white collar criminal defense cases, and internal investigations. 

Mike holds a J.D. from the Northwestern University School of Law and a B.S. from University of Illinois-Urbana.  

“I was attracted to MLA due to the firm's strong leadership and recruiters, its prominent national and international presence, talent-focused philosophy, client commitment, and overall integrity,” said Mike. “With over 35 years of experience working within and alongside the legal industry, I aim to apply my experience to assist candidates and clients at the world’s premium brand in the legal search space.”