With more than thirty-five years of dedicated expertise in the Legal, Intellectual Property, and Compliance sectors, Adamson & Partners has established itself as a recognized global leader in executive search and advisory services. Our extensive track record includes thousands of successful assignments and consulting engagements, showcasing our deep industry knowledge and commitment to excellence. Over the decades, we’ve built a reputation for delivering high-quality, tailored solutions that address the unique needs of our clients across a wide range of industries.
What sets us apart is our people. We are proud of our highly skilled team. Our multi-lingual, multi-cultural professionals bring a wealth of experience and a broad perspective to every client interaction. This enables us to work seamlessly with a wide range of clients, from local firms to multinational corporations, across multiple regions. Our team’s ability to understand and navigate different cultural and business environments is key to our success in building strong, long-lasting relationships with clients operating around the globe.

Julian Adamson
Managing PartnerAs Managing Partner, Julian leads the Adamsons & Partners team – ensuring the business exceeds its clients’ expectations and delivers on its mission. Leveraging over a decade of experience and a strong international network, Julian focuses on leadership level in-house and law firm appointments exclusively within the IP prosecution and litigation spaces. His comprehensive understanding of the global IP market, especially within Germany and the Nordics, has made him the go-to person for IP executive search, both within industry and for lateral partner hires. In addition, Julian conducts IP Team Audits and Talent Benchmarking, providing his clients with customised assessments to answer critical talent management and succession topics.
Julian studied at Bristol University and subsequently Richmond, the American International University in London – receiving unique US and UK Honours in International Business. He joined Adamson & Partners as an Associate in 2012 and became a Partner in 2015, taking responsibility for our Nordic and German teams. Julian moved to Germany in 2018 to establish our Munich office which serves as a critical hub in this principal European IP location. In 2024, Julian became Managing Partner of the firm.
“Julian is an outstanding recruitment advisor with full personal engagement and credibility. What impresses me the most is that he really understands our company, our culture, and our specific needs. Adamson’s support in attracting highly qualified talent to Maiwald has been extremely helpful in moving our firm forward. I trust Julian’s opinion and perspective and have always valued his partnership.” Maiwald
“What sets Adamson & Partners apart from other search firms is their unparalleled knowledge of top diverse talent in the IP space. Not only are Julian & his team able to identify and engage the leaders we need today but, importantly, those of tomorrow who integrate seamlessly into our organisation.” FTSE 100 Global Pharmaceutical Company

Christopher Adamson
Senior PartnerChris is a recognised leader in executive search with over two decades of experience. He oversees IP litigation partner and team hires for law firms across Europe and IP appointments for private practice and industry clients in France. He manages retained searches on behalf of law firms for IP lawyers, with expertise in helping firms strategically grow their IP practices internationally. Key jurisdictions include the UK, France and Germany.
Chris joined Adamson & Partners in January 2003 to spearhead the company’s expansion into the legal market from its office in London. He became Managing Partner in November 2014 and oversaw exponential growth for the business, including the opening of the Munich office in 2018. In January 2024, Chris became the firm’s Senior Partner. Fluent in French, he was and continues to be responsible for growing and managing the firm’s network and capability across the IP market in France.
“Adamsons has shown a remarkable ability to understand our needs and expectations, and to match them with the best candidates available. Chris has an extensive knowledge of the IP profession of and has been very responsive and attentive to our feedback and queries throughout the process for each candidate. We have greatly appreciated the dedication and commitment to ensuring our satisfaction as a client.” Ipsilon Group, 2023

Rene Chung
PartnerRene Chung, an engineer by trade, is responsible for senior IP appointments across Europe, the U.S. and Asia Pacific, and leads the firm’s global IP Licensing and Monetisation practice. With two decades of experience in executive search and specialising in pan-European and cross-border international assignments, Rene works with multinational companies and small to medium enterprises across a broad range of industries, including the telecommunications, high-tech / software, automotive, pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, industrial engineering, chemical, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors. She also works with IP law firms around the globe. Her extensive knowledge in IP, as well as her deep local and global IP networks have enabled her to attract the best IP talent for her clients regardless of the location.
Rene holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering (Petroleum & Process Engineering) from University of Waterloo, Canada. She worked as a Process Engineer in the chemical and automotive sectors in North America thus she has had direct exposure to R&D, technology and innovation. Before joining Adamson & Partners in 2009, Rene worked for two top-tier international executive search firms focusing on the Oil & Gas and Energy industries. She has worked and lived in Toronto, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada, Rene speaks fluent Cantonese and intermediate Mandarin. She brings with her a diverse cultural background and extensive international work experience.
“Rene Chung from the Adamson & Partners team came highly recommended to us when we sought to hire our first IP Licensing Executive. This meaningful position would guide the initiation and build out of our licensing program and practice. From the moment of the first discussion, it was clear Rene was determined to make our search for the right candidate a success. She sought out to intimately understand our needs and our business in order to help deliver a professional service and good outcome. The AP team did a marvellous job with guiding us through the defining process for the role, setting the attributes to seek from the position and working in alignment with various teams within our organization, including our talent acquisition function. With her thoughtful marketing plan for the position and the reach of her network, it makes it clear that Rene is terrific for supporting any enterprise looking to make a meaningful executive hire. I would highly recommend her and AP for their services.” Osama Hussain – Former General Counsel, Irdeto
“I have been working with Adamsons & Partners for about 13 years and I am very happy to recommend this firm. I have worked with Adamsons & Partners first as a candidate for potential jobs but also later as a client where Rene Chung helped me fill a position on my team and supported me for this recruitment effort. It has been a pleasure to work with this firm and in particular with Rene. The firm is very professional and Rene’s reviews have always been very comprehensive, thorough and accurate. Rene is full of energy, very proactive and committed, and overall a top professional.” Didier Patry – Former Chief IP Counsel, Eaton Corporation
“With a unique understanding of the IP expert landscape and a very personal selection process, Adamsons was able to find not only technically excellent candidates but talent which also fit our culture and values.” Former Global Head of IP, Global Agricultural Technology Company

Milli Bouri
PartnerMilli has over 25 years of international executive search and advisory experience. Leveraging a technical background and expansive international network, Milli leads the M&A Transactions practice within the firm and has successfully supported several mergers in recent years. She offers expert guidance throughout the M&A process, bringing to bear her deep experience to ensure a highly confidential advisory and mediation service from start to finish. Milli has extensive experience working exclusively within the IP and legal sectors for innovation-driven companies, including IP focused law firms. She has successfully placed hundreds of IP professionals and followed them throughout their careers – becoming a close and trusted contact in the industry. Milli knows first-hand the importance of using an advisor you can trust in a small and close-knit market.
Born in Malawi, Milli moved to the UK in 1996 to study Computing and Management. She began her career with a leading graduate recruitment company, where she launched and developed its IP division. Milli was promoted to a Senior Consultant before leaving to join a boutique search and selection firm offering a more bespoke approach. In 2004 she opened her own consultancy, continuing to offer her expertise in IP recruitment to leading private practices and in-house departments in the UK. Milli successfully managed her own firm for over six years, developing and growing her portfolio of clients in the UK, before joining Adamson & Partners in 2010.
“Milli Bouri is excellent. She has a thorough understanding of the marketplace and of the organisations within it. She acts with a genuine desire to match people with roles for a good fit and for long-lasting success. She listens and suggests accordingly. A true trusted advisor.”
“Over the course of the last 5 years, Mewburn Ellis has been through a period of rapid growth, necessitating the recruitment of part qualified and qualified lateral hires. Milli has been at the forefront of helping us to find the right people to fit in with the culture of Mewburn Ellis and who meet our need that they are “trained for excellence.” Milli has also been instrumental in supporting the development of an exciting new practice area in bioinformatics and digital health from conception to being a European leading practice in the field.”
“I have been working with Adamsons for over 20 years. In my opinion, they remain a cut above the rest in terms of sector knowledge and professionalism, and in terms of their range of services. I have been working with Milli for a decade of that time and we have had an extremely fruitful relationship, including securing multiple senior lateral hires, and even placing our CEO. Milli has an impressive knowledge of the IP sector, and she knows everyone; or, put another way, everyone knows Milli, and I am sure hold her in equally high regard. Where we benefit the most is from her understanding of our company, our leadership values, and our culture. Milli has a strong sense of who will fit and who won’t, which saves us a lot of time and reduces recruitment risk, which is always present with senior level hires. Looking forward to a few more enjoyable and productive years working with Milli and Adamsons.”

Victoria Jackson
PartnerVictoria has over a decade of experience leading the strategic placement of senior-level legal, compliance, cybersecurity, and privacy hires for large, multinational organisations, including first-time and successor C-suite, general counsel, and regional general counsel appointments. Leveraging a deep understanding of global market dynamics, an expansive worldwide network, and a passion for service excellence, she is responsible for Adamson & Partners’ Legal and Compliance practice with a focus on consultation across the U.S., EMEA, and APAC regions. She has deep experience in global in-house legal hiring, with notable expertise in all aspects of compliance and privacy appointments.
Victoria has profound knowledge of the evolving regulatory landscape and has successfully built international investigations and compliance teams for globally recognized organizations. Throughout her career, she has helped her clients navigate complex periods of change and transformation, including those involving corporate monitorships. Her record of accomplishment has earned her the credibility to advise on complex hiring strategies involving technical and evolving areas such as GDPR and the patchwork of other privacy regimes across jurisdictions, AI, and machine learning.
After obtaining an LLB and LPC in the U.K. and Spain, Victoria’s search career began at a London based boutique firm where she grew the UK & Ireland in-house practice. She subsequently relocated to the UAE and joined a leading global legal and compliance search firm where she led their Asia, Middle East, and Africa practice for four years. Returning to London, Victoria joined the firm’s leadership team and played a key role in growing its U.S. and international practices before joining Adamson & Partners in 2024.
Victoria is a qualified Lumina Spark practitioner and regularly leverages the psychometric tool and her understanding of like models to help her clients assess candidates’ EQ and IQ for fit – resulting in sustainable and high-performing hires. She prides herself on her transparent approach to executive search built on clear communication, mutual trust and understanding. This approach has resulted in long-standing professional relationships and consistency across large, global legal teams.
“I had the pleasure of working with Victoria, an exceptional head-hunting consultant whose expertise in resource strategy is unparalleled. Her ability to truly understand people and their needs is remarkable—I’ve yet to encounter anyone with such insight. She is both caring and intuitive, with an extraordinary depth of understanding in handling hiring for complex, high-importance roles. Her guidance is not only invaluable but also genuinely transformative for any organization.” General Counsel at a U.S. Publicly Traded, Multinational Conglomerate
“I have had the pleasure of working with Victoria in the digital, privacy, and cybersecurity space, both as a candidate and later as a client for over two years. On both occasions, Victoria has demonstrated incredible industry knowledge and a deep understanding of my area of expertise.
Since helping build up my leadership team, Victoria has taken the time to understand my leadership style. She has consistently found the right candidates who complement me and the team, aligning with my vision for a world-class global digital, privacy, and cybersecurity in-house team.
Victoria’s strengths lie in her deep industry knowledge, her ability to match expertise, and her commitment to aligning candidates with the organization’s vision. Her dedication and insight have been invaluable in building a strong, cohesive global team. My work with Victoria has spanned globally, from the UK market, to Europe, Asia and the US.
I highly recommend Victoria to anyone seeking a head-hunter with exceptional expertise in the digital, privacy, and cybersecurity landscape.” Vice President Digital, Privacy & Cybersecurity at a Multinational Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Company

Katie Davis
Chief Growth OfficerKatie is an experienced and results-driven executive with a proven record of driving organizational growth and strategy for multinational organizations across the U.S. and Europe. Her career, including roles as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Growth Officer, spans nearly two decades and includes successful tenures at an Am Law 200 law firm, a Big 4 professional services consultancy, and a global digital advisory business. She leverages her diverse leadership experience and vast network to drive and support the strategic growth of Adamson & Partners’ Legal and M&A practices with a particular emphasis on expansion of its executive search and consulting efforts across the U.S. and in the U.K. She also lead’s the firm’s marketing and business development functions – continuing to enhance Adamson & Partners’ strong brand to drive growth strategies around the globe.
She has led strategic growth, M&A, recruiting and integration, business intelligence, internal communications, marketing, business development, and marketing technology functions and projects. She has served on strategic planning, strategic growth, and operations committees; oversaw the recruitment of hundreds of lawyers across the U.S. and in the U.K.; driven M&A engagements from due diligence through integration; and performed complex quantitative and qualitative research for global organizations to support their growth efforts. She has a deep understanding of the legal industry and a commitment to knowledge sharing. She has a Master of Business Administration degree and Bachelor of Science, Marketing degree, and completed an International Business program across Europe. She leverages this diverse experience, her passion to create interpersonal connections, and a natural ability to create consensus, to provide strategic talent consultation and M&A advisory to Adamson & Partners clients. Katie, a U.S. native, currently lives and works in London.

Samantha Knowles
Senior Director, Head of ResearchSamantha is a former practising UK solicitor and a seasoned career development coach with over 25 years of experience in executive legal, compliance and privacy recruitment. Bringing a wealth of global experience, Samantha has supported key strategic hires, including Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Privacy Officer and various “Head of” and General Counsel positions. As Head of Research, Samantha leads a team of research professionals who deliver and execute international client mandates.
Throughout her career, Samantha has cultivated trusted relationships, with candidates and clients alike. She has successfully partnered with organisations to build high-performing teams, leveraging her active listening skills and empathetic approach to inspire those she works with. Her industry experience spans various sectors, including Life Sciences, Automotive, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), and Emerging and Connected Technologies, allowing her to navigate complex recruitment landscapes effectively.
After qualifying as a solicitor in the UK and practising as a commercial litigator for several years, Samantha began her career in executive search. She has worked across multiple jurisdictions, helping firms establish and mature their research functions. Her strong record in executive recruitment has earned her credibility as a trusted advisor in the field.
As a certified Personal Career Development Coach, Samantha supports our clients and their teams – empowering them to take proactive steps in their development. She is also a qualified Lumina Spark practitioner, utilising psychometric tools to assess candidates’ emotional and intellectual fit and create sustainable hiring outcomes, as well as deploying these tools as part of long-term career development.

Rose Zeitler
Senior AssociateRose is a senior member of the Adamson & Partners’ research team based in Munich. She joined the business in 2021 from a SHREK firm where she executed complex C-suite and board-level appointments and executive assessments across the life sciences industry on behalf of global pharmaceuticals and biotechnology clients. Rose has additional experience working in other boutiques and mid-sized UK based executive search firms in the areas of project and client management. Rose has developed her IP industry expertise and enjoys supporting clients in the automotive, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering, and software spaces. She has built an extensive network across Europe and the US within notable IP law firms. Rose speaks both French and German at a professional level.

Lisa Bonauer
Senior AssociateLisa is a Senior Associate and splits her time between the Munich and London offices. She focuses on executive search and is involved in handling a large variety of projects covering M&A, IP, and legal assignments across Europe, as well as internationally. Prior to joining Adamson & Partners in 2023, she worked at a top tier British law firm specialised in IP. Lisa has honed deep patent and trademark expertise, which she gained over more than six years in private practice. Lisa is dedicated to helping clients attract and retain market-leading talent. Lisa tailors research strategies to clients’ needs and accomplishes the respective processes using her profound IP knowledge, striving to always get the best results.

Julia von Sondern-Forsgren
Senior AssociateJulia is a Senior Research Associate based in our Munich office. She specialises in recruiting lawyers and patent attorneys at all levels of seniority, for both multinational and domestic companies, as well as private practice firms across a wide range of industries. She has a wealth of research experience and specialist knowledge in the legal sector. Prior to joining Adamson & Partners in 2021, Julia worked as a consultant in another leading international legal search boutique in Munich. She has been working in the legal recruitment sector since 2010. Her experience includes time as a consultant in an executive search firm and in the international HR Department of a multinational company. Julia received a BA Honours in International Business from the European Business School in London in 2005.

Lydia Reay
Senior AssociateLydia is a senior member of the Adamson & Partners’ research team based in London. Lydia joined the company from a SHREK firm where she was a member of the corporate officer’s practice with a focus on Legal & Compliance, placing general counsels and compliance officers across multiple industries and on a global basis. Lydia has worked on assignments across the UK, US, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in heavily regulated industries, such as the financial services, pharmaceuticals, energy and infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors. Lydia has also carried out complex assignments within the risk space, working closely with multinational banks on C-suite placements and restructuring projects. Lydia’s deep understanding of the legal function and her extensive network allow her to access a broad range of talent.

Daniil Kviat
AssociateDaniil (Dan) is an associate member of Adamson & Partners’ research team. Based in our London office, Dan supports our global research team and consultants with talent identification and process execution. His BSc in Cancer Biomedicine equips him with a deep technical understanding of innovative industries such as the healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences sectors. In addition, Dan holds several technical certifications that enhance his expertise in complex areas, including computer science and financial markets. His strong grasp of specialist topics enables him to identify and assess a wide range of talent effectively.
Join a Supportive Team that helps you to thrive
Joining Adamson & Partners means becoming part of a team that prioritizes excellence and support in everything we do. From our leadership to graduates just beginning their careers, we are committed to fostering an environment where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive. We believe in cultivating a genuine atmosphere of mutual support and understanding, ensuring that all our colleagues feel encouraged and benefit from this collaborative culture. At every level, we take the time to ensure that everyone has the resources and guidance they need to succeed in their career journey.
Committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Adamson & Partners’ approach centers on embracing diverse perspectives, encouraging every team member to contribute their unique insights to help us excel. By fostering a culture of understanding and support, we attract and retain outstanding talent.
We empower our team to live by their values, bringing passion and enthusiasm to everything they do. We’re dedicated to recognizing each individual’s experiences and continuously exploring innovative ways to share these insights across the company.
United by a Passion to Excel
At Adamson & Partners, our priority is to support our staff in their career growth, enabling them to bring their best to helping clients find the right candidates and to achieve their growth objectives. As recruitment is fundamentally a people-focused business, we seek individuals with strong communication skills and foster an open-minded, friendly approach in all interactions, both with colleagues and clients.
We thrive on the challenge of finding the ideal candidates for our clients, aiming to create the best experience for both parties. We’re committed to overcoming challenges together and giving our all every single day.