PS Companies’ Bogdanovich plays the middle man, connects firms, attorneys

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When it comes to finding an attorney a job, Nate Bogdanovich knows the best candidate might not be looking to make a change.

That’s where Bogdanovich, executive vice president for PS Companies, comes in. Headquartered in West Allis, PS Companies specializes in helping businesses and firms of all sizes with legal and executive searches.

“Traditionally, most hiring was reactive and we try to be proactive and have conversations with attorneys who are happy and busy and then try to mirror the philosophy they have with another firm,” he said.

Bogdanovich attended college on a soccer scholarship and found a job after graduation working in a company’s credit department. He decided he wanted something more, so he joined his family’s business, PS Companies. About 10 to 15 years ago, the business changed its focus from helping law firms find support staff to attorneys. After the switch, PS Companies saw increased growth.

“We work with everyone from Fortune 500 companies across the country, helping them to find in-house attorneys to law firms here in Wisconsin looking to fill a certain need,” Bogdanovich said. “We serve both sides — firms looking to hire and attorneys who may be looking for a new opportunity.”

He said law firms do a great job of finding new associates coming out of law school and that PS Companies’ “value is at a higher level. There may be an associate with three to five years of experience or a shareholder with a great book of business that is looking to make a move.”

Bogdanovich said he does a lot of his work in person, talking with individuals who may be interested in exploring new opportunities.

“We play that middle role,” he said. “There are great potential employees out there, but they don’t know who you are or that you are hiring.”

Succession planning, or the lack thereof, is one of the top issues law firms face, Bogdanovich said. They may have a partner who is thinking about retirement and there’s no one in the firm to take on his or her business.

“We help law firms walk through the succession planning process. It’s about finding talent that can come in, get to know the clients and work for a couple of years under the retiring partner,” he said.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What is the most useful thing you’ve learned since starting with PS Companies?
Nate Bogdanovich: The people we work with want to know if you can help them. It does not matter if I think we are good at what we do. It matters if we are meeting the needs of our clients and candidates.

WLJ: What is the most important aspect of your job?
Bogdanovich: Listening and helping candidates and clients reach their goals.

WLJ: What do you wish you’d learned sooner?
Bogdanovich: I wish I would have realized that becoming an expert at what you do takes time. You need to embrace the learning process and not take shortcuts.

WLJ: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Bogdanovich: I would have embraced reading and learning at a younger age.

WLJ: What can you spend hours doing that’s not work-related?
Bogdanovich: Anything that encompasses sports, such as golfing or coaching my kids’ teams.