Louise Kearns

Louise is the Managing Director of Clayton Legal, a specialist legal recruitment business that has supported the UK legal sector for almost 30 years.

Louise began her career in sales, where she quickly learned that strong relationships, not transactions, are what truly drive success. She later moved into Learning & Development, developing a passion for helping people grow in confidence, capability and performance. That combination of commercial awareness and people development now shapes how she leads the business.

Having worked closely with law firms and legal professionals across multiple disciplines, Louise understands both the pressures firms face and the personal significance of career moves. She believes recruitment should be built on honesty, accountability and long-term partnerships – not quick wins.

As Managing Director, Louise focuses on creating a culture where her team feel supported, challenged and proud of the work they do. She is also responsible for guiding Clayton Legal’s strategic expansion into the US market, ensuring the same specialist focus and standards that define the firm in the UK are carried through into the Florida market.

She is passionate about raising standards, developing future leaders and ensuring Clayton Legal remains a trusted name across its specialist markets on both sides of the Atlantic.

At heart, Louise is motivated by seeing people succeed, whether that’s a consultant hitting a milestone, a firm making a strategic hire, or a candidate taking the next step in their career.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find her watching rugby, enjoying a spicy marg, or championing someone to reach a goal they didn’t quite believe was possible.