Meet The Recruiters
Founding Partner
Gary Klein
Gary founded one of the first legal search firms in Washington, D.C. and has been placing partners, associates and in-house counsel ever since. He has over three decades in the profession and represents both elite law firms and elite lawyers considering a lateral move. Gary believes successful legal recruiting is based on personalized service—forming relationships with law firm decision-makers and with lateral lawyers. He then introduces lateral lawyers to law firms that share similar values and standards of practicing law.
Gary also does significant consulting work on all aspects related to legal recruitment, working on projects such as compensation, integration and market analysis. He was asked to be a member of the inaugural Law360 Editorial Advisory Board and is often quoted in the media on topics related to the business of law.
Gary graduated with Distinction in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He earned his law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. He has worked as a litigator in Washington, D.C., most notably representing the nation’s Air Traffic Controllers (PATCO).
In 2007, Gary graduated from Georgetown University earning a Master’s Degree, summa cum laude. His field of study was Classical Civilizations with a concentration in Greek literature.
Founding Partner
David Landau
David Landau joined Klein Landau & Edelman in 1987. David places attorneys of all levels and has primary responsibility for the training and professional development of the search consultant team. David works closely with the D.C.-area’s top ranked law firms and specialty boutiques and is frequently called upon by both law firm and corporate clients to advise them on their legal recruiting strategies and difficult searches.
David graduated from the University of Maryland and earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore in 1981. He spent five years as a trial attorney in Maryland and the District of Columbia. He has over 36 years of legal recruiting experience. David formerly served as the head of the American Bar Association’s State Membership for Washington, D.C.
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Managing Partner
Alex Edelman
Alex works with all types of lawyers, he specializes in representing regulatory attorneys and practice groups and is one of the leading recruiters in the global trade and national security practice area. Over the last few years Alex has placed a number of regulatory practice groups, partners, and associates at a variety of firms, including a Magic Circle firm, an AmLaw 50 Global firm, and an elite AmLaw 200 firm.
Alex graduated from The University of Vermont with a degree in Political Science and English. He is a native of the Washington, D.C. area. Additionally, Alex is an accomplished photojournalist who works for major wire services.
Alex’s notable representations include:
Represented a mulit-partner, Chambers ranked, International Trade and National Security practice group in their move to an Am Law 20 firm in Washington, D.C. .
Represented a Chambers ranked International Trade and National Security partner with her move to an Am Law 100 firm in Washington, D.C..
Represented a 6-person International Trade and National Security practice group in their move to an Am Law 20 firm in Washington, D.C.
Represented a Magic Circle firm with regard to the successful placement of a partner to lead their Washington, D.C. based International Trade and National Security Practice.
Represented a Privacy and Cybersecurity Partner in her move to an Am Law 200 firm in Boston.
Placed a Chambers ranked International Trade and National Security partner at a Magic Circle firm in Washington, D.C..
Placed a junior associate into a Chambers Ranked International Trade and National Security Practice at an Am Law 20 firm in Washington, D.C. .
Represented a mid-level associate in their move to a Chambers ranked International Trade and National Security Practice at an Am Law 20 firm in Washington, D.C. .
Placed a mid-level Transportation Finance associate at an elite national firm in Washington, D.C..
Placed several International Trade and National Security associates into highly regarded firms nationally.
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Legal Recruiter
Emily Balkam
Emily works with attorneys of all levels and specializes in representing data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI lawyers. Emily takes pride in her comprehensive and tailored approach to each candidate while guiding them through the process. She’s committed to her clients, ensuring each placement is the best fit allowing the onboarding to be effective and long-lasting. A majority of Emily's placements have been into Chambers Ranked practice groups, Vault/AmLaw 20 firms, and has experience facilitating international lateral searches.
Emily graduated from the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business, and majored in Marketing and Information Systems. She spent four years in the commercial real estate industry before joining the team in 2022. She holds dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom, having spent five years living in England. Emily currently resides in the Washington, D.C. area.
Director of Operations
Brooksley Bolesta
Brooksley provides administrative support and aids in the success of the recruiting team. She assists with scheduling, research, finances, marketing and general operations. She is committed to ensuring a smooth process for our clients and maintaining effective relationships.
Brooksley is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with a degree in Secondary Education and Government & Politics. She spent 5 years as a social studies teacher prior to joining the KLE team in 2023.
Legal Recruiter
Ty Williams
Ty works with attorneys of all levels and specializes in Antitrust placements. With a decade’s worth of experience in client services, Ty takes pride in providing a tailored and exhaustive approach to every candidates that he works with, while providing guidance and career mentoring throughout the process. With an eye focused on fit at all times, his first priority is to ensure that candidate and opportunity are perfectly aligned to set all parties up for long-term success.
Ty graduated from Duke University with an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont. Prior to joining the team, he spent considerable time in the automotive industry.