From the Office to the Offer: Navigating Lateral Moves and Legal Careers with Irene Nyktas

In this episode of Girls Gone Legal, we sit down with Irene Nyktas, an Executive Legal Recruiter at Macmel, who’s helping attorneys across New York and New Jersey make strategic, meaningful lateral moves. Irene isn’t just another recruiter—she’s a former law firm associate who knows firsthand what it’s like to be in the trenches of legal practice.
Having worked across multiple sectors of the law, Irene brings a rare insider’s perspective to the hiring process. She understands what law firms are really looking for—and more importantly, what attorneys should be looking for when making a move. Whether you’re thinking about switching firms, navigating the post-associate grind, or just curious about what’s happening behind the scenes in legal hiring, this episode is packed with practical advice, industry insight, and a few candid truths about the legal job market.

ABOUT IRENE:
Irene Nyktas is an Executive Legal Recruiter at Macmel, where she specializes in facilitating attorneys' lateral moves, with an emphasis on the New York and New Jersey markets. A former associate at a leading firm in New Jersey, Irene has a deep understanding of both the attorney experience and the hiring processes within law firms.
Having practiced in various sectors of the law, she knows the value of finding the right fit for a particular role. Irene uses her knowledge and experience to ensure long-term success for both her law firm clients and the candidates she places. She received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and lives in New Jersey.

LinkedIn: Irene Nyktas
linkedin.com/in/irene-nyktas-4a769818a


Girls Gone Legal wants to welcome guest co-host Sofia Stefanou, Esq. on this week's episode! Sofia is a New York barred attorney with her practice focused on maritime, residential, and commercial real estate transactions. Sofia graduated from New York University and New York Law School. Welcome!!

Whether you're a young associate, a seasoned litigator, or just plotting your next career step, this one’s for you.