Anne Kerwin Payne

About Anne Kerwin Payne

Anne Kerwin Payne is a respected leader in legal talent consulting and the Founder and Managing Partner of Kerwin, a premier executive legal search firm.With a specialization in both retained and contingent legal placements, Kerwin partners with some of the most innovative companies across industries worldwide. The firm is driven by a clear mission: to serve clients and candidates with integrity, transparency, and authenticity. At its core, the firm is built on unwavering ethical standards and a deep respect for relationships.Anne founded the firm in 1989, and her leadership is defined by a thoughtful and strategic approach. She works closely with C-Suite executives, General Counsels, and Human Resource leaders to build high-performing legal teams. Under her guidance, Kerwin has successfully completed hundreds of placements, from General Counsels to Corporate Counsels, Contract Attorneys, Contract Managers, Legal Operations professionals, and Paralegals, across both domestic and international markets and a wide range of legal disciplines.A committed mentor and team builder, Anne leads her internal recruiting team with a philosophy rooted in coaching, collaboration, and professional growth. Her deep industry insight, trusted leadership, and long-standing client relationships have earned her a strong reputation for results and excellence in search. Additionally, she is dedicated to her work with candidates and is passionate about helping them elevate their careers. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Anne is passionate about developing others. She is an advocate for mentorship, especially for young women, and actively gives back to her community. She is a former President and Board Member of the Menlo Circus Club, a proud Cal Bear Backer, and a former Chair and Board Member of the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI).Outside of work, Anne finds joy in family and friends, who are the greatest source of happiness. She also enjoys reading, attending musicals and sporting events, and staying active. A competitive tennis player, Anne brings the same drive and dedication to the court that she does to her work. She also enjoys playing golf, embracing both the challenge of the game and the connection it fosters with others.

Experience

1. Executive Search Consultant Managing Director Founder

   Kerwin Associates

   Jan 1989 — Present · Redwood City, CA, US

   At Kerwin Associates, we specialize in reinventing legal search. What sets Kerwin apart is our focus on partnering closely with our clients, taking the time to fully grasp their mission, culture and personnel needs. We know the marketplace, and with 30 years of experience working with Silicon Valley companies, we know the nuances of in-house legal recruiting. When servicing the most sophisticated and revolutionary of clients, we aim to mirror what they seek in their talent. We approach every search with a diversity-driven mindset and commit ourselves to upholding objectivity in the legal field. We strive for excellence, by pioneering innovative search techniques, and being thorough in every step of the job search. Our product is our historical knowledge and successful search process. Duties/Responsibilities• Contract Negotiation of Retained and Contingency Arrangements• Recruiting: Research, Sourcing, Candidate Development and Interviewing• Client Consulting on Building of Teams and Organizational Development• Compensation Consulting and Driving Compensation Negotiation• Candidate Coaching, Career Counseling and Mentoring• Internal and External ManagementNotable Confidential Searches• General Counsel- Global IT Security Company• General Counsel- Investment Company• Deputy General Counsel, Corporate and Securities- Pre-IPO Unicorn Leader• Deputy General Counsel, Global Commercial Attorney- Billion Dollar Software Company• Director of IP- Pre-IPO Software Company• Associate General Counsel, Patent and Commercial- Pre-IPO Genomics Company• Director of Compliance- Nationally Ranked Insurance Brokerage Firm• Assistant General Counsel, Privacy- Silicon Valley Software Company• Associate General Counsel- Philanthropic Foundation• Senior Corporate Counsel, Lead Lending- Silicon Valley Financial Technology Company• VP, Compliance- Private Investment Firm

Education

• University of California, Berkeley

  BA, Political Science

Skills

• Ski
• Licensing
• Intellectual Property
• Commercial Litigation
• Tennis
• Human Resources
• Executive Search
• Contract Negotiation
• Start-Ups
• Strategy
• HR Consulting
• Management
• Recruiting
• Executive Coaching
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Corporate Law
• Legal Recruiting
• Employment Law
• Corporate Governance
• Litigation
• Skiing
• Venture Capital