Deborah Nugent

Deborah Nugent is an executive legal recruiter specializing in partner and group placements at Am Law 200 and top boutique firms across the United States. She works across practice areas, with a niche focus in entertainment, media, and sports law. In addition to law firm placements, she also recruits in-house counsel for major entertainment companies.

With a background as a singer-songwriter for TV and film under the name "Deborah Cade", Deborah brings a unique understanding of the creative industries, along with the legal infrastructure that supports them. Her work blends strategic thinking with a genuine passion for people.

Deborah began her recruitment career in Sydney, Australia, where she built a new vertical at Firebrand from the ground up and became the highest biller nationwide. She later led record-setting teams at Vitamin T in Chicago and reimagined internal hiring strategies at Brookfield Properties and eXp Realty.

Her approach is consultative, curious, and deeply relationship-driven. She's known for being honest, engaging, and always focused on what’s truly right for the individual, not just the placement.

She’s contributed to publications like PR Daily (Australia) and American Marketing Association Magazine, and brings storytelling, energy, and authenticity to every search.