At Fintelligent, our consultants bring deep sector knowledge and a relationship-led approach to recruitment. Adam Sutton joined the team earlier this year and has already begun establishing himself within the highly specialised Intellectual Property legal market.
We caught up with Adam to talk about his experience so far, the dynamics of the IP legal market, and what he’s aiming to build in the years ahead.
You’ve been with Fintelligent for four months now - how would you describe your time within the business so far?
I’ve been with Fintelligent for four months, and it’s been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding periods of my career so far. What stood out immediately was the culture. You’re trusted, treated like an adult, and given the autonomy to run your desk properly without micromanagement. That level of trust creates a strong environment to perform and to keep learning.
The learning curve has been steep in a positive way. I work exclusively within the Intellectual Property legal market, which requires a deep understanding of technical backgrounds as well as long-term career strategy. Building that specialism quickly has been something I’ve really enjoyed.
I’ve also valued the collaboration within the team. There’s a genuine willingness to share insight, challenge ideas, and celebrate wins together. From both a client and candidate perspective, the quality of conversations I’m having now compared to day one has improved massively, which is something I’m proud of.
What has been your biggest achievement or proudest moment since joining Fintelligent?
My proudest achievement so far has been becoming the quickest-to-profit consultant on the legal side of the business since joining. Achieving that within a relatively short time frame has been particularly rewarding, and it reflects both the trust clients have placed in me and the relationships I’ve built with candidates.
Beyond the numbers, I’m proud of how I’ve positioned myself in a niche market and the reputation I’m starting to build as a specialist rather than a generalist. Winning repeat business and being approached proactively by candidates who’ve been referred to me has been a real milestone.
It’s a good indication that the approach I’m taking is working and that I’m adding genuine value, not just filling roles.
How would you describe the market you work in, and what have you learned about it over the past six months?
I work in the US and UK Intellectual Property legal market, which is fast-moving, highly specialised, and extremely relationship-driven.
It’s a market where technical background, timing, and platform choice can matter just as much as compensation. One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the past six months is that the best outcomes rarely come from reactive job searching, but from being informed and strategic well before a move is made.
Candidates are increasingly focused on the quality of work, fairness of workflow, and long-term career trajectory rather than just brand name. On the client side, firms want people who genuinely fit their platform, not simply strong CVs.
I’ve also learned how cyclical the market can be around bonus season and how important it is to manage timing properly for everyone involved. Having a real-time view of what’s happening behind the scenes is incredibly valuable.
Looking ahead to 2026, what are your personal goals at Fintelligent and what are you most excited to work on?
Looking ahead to 2026, my focus is on continuing to grow my desk into one of the leading IP recruitment practices in the market, while also using my platform to make a meaningful impact beyond day-to-day recruitment.
Alongside deepening relationships with clients and expanding further into senior and in-house roles, I’m particularly excited about my recent involvement with OUT IP.
Through that, I’m looking forward to offering practical support such as CV reviews, interview preparation, and honest guidance on navigating the market, including the do’s and don’ts that aren’t always obvious.
It’s important to me to help create a more inclusive and supportive industry, and Fintelligent is a business that genuinely encourages people to bring their whole selves to work. That makes it the right environment to build something long-term and purposeful.
Supporting the Legal Sector at Fintelligent
At Fintelligent, we work with leading law firms and specialist professionals across the Legal sector, helping businesses and individuals navigate complex and highly specialised markets. Within this space, Adam Sutton focuses on the Intellectual Property legal market across the UK and US, supporting both firms looking to strengthen their teams and professionals considering their next career move.
If you’re exploring opportunities within the IP legal market, or looking to hire specialist legal talent, Adam and the wider Fintelligent team would be happy to share insight into the current market and upcoming opportunities.
Explore opportunities. Discover specialist talent. Build what’s next with Fintelligent.
