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Below story is fictional. /s
Early in my career, I took a break from law firms for about 5 months. When i wanted to end the break at 2 PQE, i contacted the very famous recruitment firm which conducts surveys - Sakura.
This person from their team spoke to me, she was very discouraging and expressed a lot of gatekeeping behavior. But two days later she said, my CV has been forwarded and selected by one of the firms. She told me she'd get back to me in day or two for interviews. Two days later in the evening i call her, she doesn't answer my call, never after did she answer my call or texts. I was an anxious wreck.
Eventually i found a job on my own by directly contacting firm HRs at tier 2 firm. 2+ years go by, i wanted to switch to a larger firm or a better place because i was underpaid and overworked, and also wanted to switch my practice area to M&A,
2 of my batchmates highly recommended Sakura again. This time another Sakura person is on board, she too acts a bit gatekeepish. Says bro, your current profile is not what you want will be difficult. Anyway, similar M.O., and poof ghosted.
Again, i found my job myself contacting directly, and I currently work in a top M&A Team at a T1.
2yrs again, same ghosting Sakura person has the audactiy to contact me, asking for interviews, i laugh her off and cut the call. Felt nice.
Now another, recruitment firm Nicolas Cage, this team member of theirs was nicely handling me. But as soon he found out I put in my papers at my current firm, his full tone changed and he became distant and dismissive.. I blocked the white knight's number then. Was 2 years back cant even remember the name.
Another recruitment firm which offers a lot of options sent me to 2-3 interviews with teams with completely different practice areas.
Sigh.. Its good to use these guys to get intelligence, but never rely on them completely.
Worst part is they don't have to disclose it to you. Even worse is the fact that their assessments are horrible vis a vis a lawyer and practice area. Experienced it first hand.
They also keep pushing random practices if you're younger just to fill space and their pockets.
I am also suspicious of most recruiters because who knows if the person on the other end isn't just gathering intel.
There is this one recruiter i know, she keeps gossiping with everyone in one team, and she actually lied to me that my senior is quitting, i know she was courting him too.. Because exactly around that time my partner's and that senior's attitude towards me changed 180 degrees. Wonder if she said the same thing to him...
Generally, I am not sure if the 'top' specialist legal recruitment folks are really very helpful for individual challenges & I think your strategy of directly contacting is a much more appropriate (though harsher) way to hit the road.
Came across one Naina Rathore. She has very good understanding of the market because she is also a lawyer. Worth the time !