Headhunters
Gene Anthony, Founder & Managing Partner
Gene has been in the recruiting industry for more than 20 years. He learned the trade with the International Business Consultants specializing in the insurance industry. In 2003, Gene co-founded the American Placement Group, and the two built it into one of Los Angeles’ leading insurance placement search firms. In 2005, he and a colleague transitioned the firm into the legal industry, where he handled the moves of several partners and groups with AM 50 & 100 clients and regional and boutique firms. In 2013, Gene joined Esquire Legal Search, one of the top partner placement firms, where he and Esquire’s president, Sandy Lechtick, handled over 50 partner placements. Gene is an entrepreneur in the purest form and founded LRG Search in 2021 to facilitate placements on a national level.
When he’s not immersed in headhunting, you will find him enjoying family time or putting in work on his game on the golf course!
Madeline Niehaus, Partner
Madeline Niehaus brings a decade of legal recruiting experience to her role at LRG Search, where she focuses on lateral partner recruiting and strategic growth consulting for law firms nationwide. She has a unique dual perspective, having spent several years in senior in-house recruiting roles at both an Am Law 100 firm and a leading California regional firm.
Madeline’s experience managing firmwide attorney recruitment — including lateral partner hiring, associate recruitment, and professional development — gives her a practical, inside understanding of how law firms assess and acquire talent. She has led large-scale hiring efforts across 20+ offices, worked directly with managing partners and practice group leaders, and negotiated hundreds of partner and associate hires.
Madeline began her career on the agency side and made a purposeful return to agency recruiting to reengage with clients in a more consultative and entrepreneurial capacity. She leverages her national network and deep market insight to deliver highly tailored recruitment solutions to law firms of all sizes.
Nic Thompson, Associate
A valued member of the LRG family since 2021, Nic Thompson has worked hard to quickly hone his expertise and ascend the ranks of the recruiting world. Having successfully placed multiple clients since joining the company, his versatility, as well as his strategic and straightforward approach, have made him stand out within the highly competitive Los Angeles landscape. His keen insight and adaptability matched with his dynamic personality and distinctive life experiences distinguish him significantly from others in his field. Your continual success is his primary mission.
Beyond the hustle and bustle of recruitment, Nic can be found channeling his energy into adventures with his beautiful family, wrestling his loyal guard-dog Brasco, and the uncanny ability to grill the perfect tomahawk.
Scott Eton, Associate
Scott Eton brings a wealth of real-world experience to LRG Search. After working as a graphic designer in the music industry, including Interscope Records, Scott transitioned to a career in hospitality, working at and with some of Los Angeles's top cocktail bars and restaurants. He quickly developed a reputation as one of the city's best bartenders for his speed, efficiency, ability to connect with guests and vendors, and his talent for creating innovative cocktail menus for several establishments. During the pandemic, with hospitality all but shut down, LRG Search reached out to Scott and asked him to join the team, knowing full well that his skills would translate well to the world of recruitment. In his short time with the firm, Scott has already made several placements.
When he's not headhunting, Scott's either making music or keeping his skills sharp behind the bar.