About us

Barker Morris Legal Search was founded by Kelly Barker and Neelam Morris in 2021.

Kelly and Neelam first met in 2005 when they worked together for one of the world’s largest recruitment companies. Together, they have over 25 years’ experience.

They have supported law firms and companies of all sizes on their legal recruitment. Their law firm clients have ranged from the very largest international firms to smaller regional firms across the UK. On the in-house side Kelly and Neelam have assisted companies from start-ups seeking their first legal counsel to Global Plcs.

Kelly and Neelam are experienced in working with lawyers at all levels of qualification from Trainee Solicitor and NQ all the way to Partner and General Counsel. In fact, many of the Heads of Legal and hiring Partners they work with today first worked with Neelam and Kelly when they were newly qualified solicitors!

kelly barker

Kelly Barker

Kelly trained as a solicitor in Nottingham, moving to London on qualification in 2001. She spent three years as a commercial litigation solicitor before switching to legal recruitment in 2004.

Kelly spent a number of years working for one of the world’ s largest recruitment companies, latterly as a Business Manager, before taking some time out with her young family. Realising it was easier negotiating with lawyers than young children, she returned to recruitment with one of the leading London legal recruitment agencies before spending three years with a Midlands based agency as Associate Director.

Kelly spent many years moving lawyers to and from London and the regions. Her particular focus now is the Midlands but she has placed lawyers all over the UK from Glasgow to Portsmouth and Norwich to Bristol, at all levels from NQ to Partner and Head of Legal.

She is a trusted advisor to clients and candidates who often remark how refreshingly honest she is; always objective, discrete and easy to work with.

Outside of work, Kelly is kept busy juggling the competing interests of her horses and three children. Her husband and old Labrador are, fortunately, much less demanding.

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neelam morris

Neelam Morris

Originally a Yorkshire lass, Neelam moved to Birmingham and completed her Law Degree at The University of Birmingham and there began her time in Midlands! After completing the LPC at The College of Law, Neelam spent time in private practice before moving to legal recruitment in 2005.

Neelam spent many years working for a global recruitment agency (where she met Kelly!). Here, Neelam managed the Birmingham legal team, recruiting across in-house and private practice. Neelam took some time out with her young family before returning to work for leading legal recruitment companies.

Neelam has placed lawyers at all levels and is well-known for her straightforward, clear and pragmatic approach. She is solutions-driven and offers wider strategic advice to Partners and Heads of Legal seeking to grow their teams. She is also known to succeed where other recruiters have struggled; bringing tenacity and enthusiasm in abundance!

Her proudest moments have been where she’s been instrumental in helping lawyers make career defining moves; spotting their potential and placing them into (or even creating) roles they never thought possible.

Away from her desk, Neelam is kept busy with her two young daughters and is a talented Punjabi chef (according to her husband!).

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