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Current senior associate at an elite litigation firm in a major market. Considering lateraling to either Charlotte or Raleigh.

Any recs on well-connected legal recruiters that I should consider contacting to gauge the market and potential opportunities that align with my career goals?

You likely are going to be targeting a tiny handful of firms. Rather than a recruiter, best first step would probably be to set up some informational interviews with local practitioners whose practice would be in your orbit. Your task is to identify specific individuals you would want to work with in those markets. Once you know the lay of the land, you'll probably have the groundwork for introductions.

Recruiters tend to make more sense in a major market like NYC where it's not feasible to get to know all of the potential lateral practice groups you could join.