Chicago Attorney and Legal Staff Recruiting

Est. 1988. Greater Chicago Area. Minority-Owned and Managed. NGLCC Certified. Committed to Diversity and Inclusion.

35
Years in Business
80,000
Candidates in Customized Database

As the only diversity-owned, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)-certified Chicago-based legal recruiting firm, we are committed to diversity in attorney recruitment and placement.

What We Do

If you are looking to make a move to a boutique law firm or a Fortune 500 company, we have established, long-standing and successful working relationships within Chicago’s legal and business community, including law firms of all sizes and corporations.

Resume preparation and revisions

A current and ongoing evaluation of the Chicago legal job market

Help evaluating employment offers

Effective interview techniques and strategies

An inside look into employers’ hiring trends and cultures

Career advice

The number one reason employers use recruitment agencies? Save time. We work to streamline the hiring process and fill vacancies more efficiently.

Specificity. Oftentimes, your hiring needs may be finite or within a niche practice area. We work to identify and shortlist only those qualified for the position.

Identify qualified candidates who are also a cultural fit, which improves employee retention.

Obtain access to passive candidates who likely will not be aware of your job opportunity.

Provide valuable market intelligence and industry-related developments, including hiring trends and competition.

Provide vital updates relating to employment legislation.

Testimonials

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David did an excellent job at finding and placing me for a new role. Would highly recommend.

Emma Sorrentino, Associate Clark Hill, PLC

Gary was a pleasure to work with, and I completely recommend him to anyone in the legal industry for their job search. Gary listens to his client’s needs. He did a fantastic job of listening to exactly what I was looking for in the next stage of my legal career. Gary’s recommendations were always tailored to what I was specifically looking for in a firm, and were only to locations where I could be considered competitively as a candidate.

He is an excellent communicator, and I particularly appreciated all of the time that he took to speak with me and check in after every interview and discuss feedback. He goes above and beyond as a recruiter, and is more like as a professional coach. I ultimately accepted a Am200 firm position with the help of Gary, and I am immensely grateful to him for his help with matching me with a great firm for the next chapter of my career.

Madison Shepley, Litigation Associate Clark Hill

I worked with multiple recruiters with the largest legal recruiting companies and no one was able to get me access to the best jobs that fit for me like Gary did. I am starting my dream job soon thanks to Gary!

Kenneth C. “KC” Swanson, Director Huck Bouma PC

Working with Gary to find a lateral position in the Chicago market was a great experience. Gary was diligent, thoughtful, and supportive throughout the entire hiring process. I would recommend him to anyone who is looking to make a move to a new position.

Jeffrey M. Goldberg, Real Estate Associate Gould & Ratner LLP

Gary is an outstanding recruiter. Gary connected me to a lateral opportunity that aligned directly with my professional goals. I was particularly impressed by Gary’s conscientiousness, diligence and enthusiastic advocacy at every step in that process. Gary’s insight into the practice group’s needs and the firm’s culture were indispensable. Gary has my highest recommendation.

Melvin W. Gaddy, Patent & IP Litigation Associate Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

David is everything that you want a recruiter to be: driven, responsive, and effective. He was instrumental in making swift positive traction in my job search. I highly recommend working with him.

 

Ryan Trombley, Associate Arnold & Porter

As a third year attorney looking to grow professionally in the Chicago market, the mission to find a position both meaningful and interesting was, personally, quite intimidating. Gary was an absolute godsend in this respect, and I highly recommend him to anyone considering making a career change, big or small. His positive attitude, proactivity in finding me a suitable position, thoughtful interview preparation help, follow up calls, and overall support helped me achieve a goal I'd been chasing since law school. Thank you doesn't even begin to cut it, Gary! I am forever indebted.

Adrienne M. Arlan, Construction Associate Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald, LLP

Ethan Kirner, Employee Benefits Associate Kirkland & Ellis LLP

It was a pleasure to work with Gary. He helped me land a great job and was very supportive throughout the entire application process. I cannot recommend Gary enough.

Jared M. Costanzo, Labor & Employment and School Law Associate Franczek P.C.

David is a talented legal recruiter who was truly a pleasure to work with. He is attentive, resourceful, and clearly has a strong presence in the Chicago legal market. Due to his own legal background, David quickly understood my career aspirations and which job aspects were important to me. He utilized his extensive network to immediately connect me with the right opportunities and helped prepare me each step of the way. Additionally, he consistently ensured that the interview process ran smoothly and ultimately found a great fit for me. I am grateful to have worked with David and would recommend him to anyone looking for employment in the legal field.

Tom Skelly Associate, Much Shelist, P.C.

David was one of the best recruiters that I have worked with. He was honest and attentive to my requirements in my search for the next position. He was also very responsive to any questions that I had and never left me in the dark throughout the entire process. I am grateful to have worked with David in finding a firm that was perfect for me!

Jessica Chang Associate, Jackson Lewis P.C.

Gary is the best! He closely watched the market and quickly found me a great position in an amazing practice group. Gary helped me efficiently prep for the interviews and made the whole process a breeze. He sent me articles on the firm and practice group and helped me develop my central message to highlight my strengths. I also found that his cheerful and positive personality boosted my confidence going into the interview. I'm thrilled to start my new position and am truly thankful that I met Gary.

John Frawley Staff Attorney at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

I highly recommend seeking out Gary's services for a career change. He reached out with a position that was perfectly tailored to my interests and experience, and guided me through every step of the process. He could not have been more helpful to me and was available at all times of the day to answer questions and provide feedback. I received an offer within 2 weeks of my first contact with Gary.

Mariah C. Nix, Litigation Associate Fuchs & Roselli, Ltd.

After taking a brief hiatus from the practice of law, I was looking for a position which would enable me to enjoy a better balance between work and my personal life. I turned to Gary D’Alessio not only for his assistance in exploring opportunities for me, but to provide me with the counseling and guidance I needed. Gary’s personal experiences, familiarity with the Chicago legal market and timely knowledge of various opportunities ultimately led me to a part-time position at which I have never been happier.

Michelle K. Episcope, Associate BURKE WARREN MACKAY & SERRITELLA PC

Shelly Remen Sibul is a consummate professional. I found her to be of great assistance in not only identifying an appropriate and rewarding position, but also in assuring that I was well-prepared for the process and ultimate transition. Her attentiveness to both the market and finding the ‘best fit’ opportunity for me showed an interest in my long-term success and well-being not often found in this industry. I would not hesitate to recommend Shelly’s services to friends or colleagues in the market for a new position.

J.S., Trust & Estates Associate NATIONAL LAW FIRM - CHICAGO OFFICE

Gary is a top notch recruiter who delivers results for his clients. In addition to being a supportive and incredible advocate for me and my candidacy, Gary provided me with valuable advice and counsel on the interview process and how to best present my candidacy during interviews. He also sent me articles and other information on the firms and attorneys that I was interviewing with that proved invaluable during the interview process. Thanks to Gary's advocacy, advice and counsel, I got the ideal position at the ideal firm.

Matthew J. Weiss, Associate NEAL, GERBER & EISENBERG LLP

Gary is an outstanding recruiter who took a sincere interest and active approach in helping to secure a job offer for me. Gary and I worked together in identifying potential employers, developing a business plan, preparing for interviews, securing phone interviews and office visits, and eventually obtaining the offer. Throughout this process, Gary was very responsive and provided much appreciated guidance based on his extensive experience in placing attorneys with top law firms. Gary was truly a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend his services going forward.

Thomas M. Asmar, Associate LATHAM & WATKINS LLP

Gary was recommended to me and I can absolutely see why. His detailed-oriented approach and knowledge about legal placement are truly first-class. Gary provided critical insight during my transition and helped me navigate potential pitfalls. Above all, Gary is incredibly responsive, which is certainly appreciated when one has a time-sensitive issue. Of course, I recommend Gary and his services.

Vishal Shah, Attorney DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP

Shelly is a seasoned professional with great contacts, and is very easy to work with. Shelly was my recruiter for only a few weeks because, with her help, I quickly transitioned to a great firm. Throughout my job search she provided feedback but was always responsive to my preferences. Communication with her was consistently prompt and to the point. I highly recommend Shelly to all of my colleagues in the legal community.

Rebekah Childers, Attorney SEGAL MCCAMBRIDGE SINGER & MAHONEY

Shelly is a skilled professional with a real knack for placing the right people in the right positions. She successfully placed myself and my wife into our ideal jobs and made the process as painless as possible. Shelly is personable, responsive and persistent; all the qualities one would want in a recruiter. Beyond that, Shelly draws on a large network of contacts to provide you with plenty of options during your job search. I highly recommend Shelly to anyone looking to make a change within the legal field.

Robert Cooper, Associate LEVIN GINSBURG

Shelly is a first-class recruiter. She is extremely professional and personable, organized, and sharp. Her advice, guidance, and optimism gave me the confidence I needed to succeed in the interview. She helped me find a position that was exactly what I was looking for. I would work with her again without a doubt, and I highly recommend Shelly as an advocate for any job seeker.

Michelle Hanlon, Attorney ENOCH KEVER PLLC

Shelly was great to work with and was very helpful in placing me at a new law firm. She spent a lot of time with me to discuss potential job opportunities and I enjoyed hearing her advice for the interview process. She also continued to provide her service until the right job opportunity presented itself. Additionally, Shelly utilizes contacts from a wide-variety of firms and organizations in order to place candidates in the best place for them. I am grateful for working with Shelly in my job search and I recommend her to anyone looking for job opportunities in the legal field.

Anthony Ochs, Associate LISTON & TSANTILIS, P.C

Gary is a phenomenal recruiter. From the beginning of my search process through to accepting an offer, Gary was responsive and provided an incredible amount of insight. He has great contacts at the major law firms and really guided me through the entire process. With Gary's help, I got an offer from the firm that was at the top of my list. Thanks Gary!!

Jon Goreham, Associate DLA PIPER

Shelly has great insight into firms, the job market, and the interview process. She was responsive and very easy to work with. I highly recommend her.

Aaron Gillett, Associate BRONSON & KAHN LLC

Gary was fantastic to work with. Not only did he connect me up with my ideal opportunity, he worked with me through the recruitment process to make sure that I was completely prepared to put forth my best in interviews, to facilitate communication, and to advocate for me as a candidate. His energy, enthusiasm and professionalism make working with him both productive and enjoyable. I could not have been more apprised of what was going on at all times, and it was great to have someone cheering for me when I got my offer. Thanks for all of your help, Gary!

Karlie J. Dunsky, Immigration Associate FRANCZEK RADELET P.C.

Alan really cares about the people he works with and gets to know potential candidates so that he is able to best place them somewhere they really fit.

Erin Mayer, Associate Attorney SEGAL MCCAMBRIDGE SINGER & MAHONEY

Alan is a great legal recruiter. He was very responsive to my questions and concerns, and he made the process of securing a new job (while I was living in a different state) as easy as possible. If you are looking for a new job in the Chicago legal market, I highly recommend that you give Alan a call.

Joshua Rafsky, Employee Benefits Associate JACKSON LEWIS

Alan was a great help to me in my job search even before he ever met me. He is very knowledgeable about the Chicago market and was a great encouragement throughout the process. I’m lucky to have found him – I think it made all the difference in landing at a great firm.

Amy Mahone, Of Counsel BAKER DONELSON

Alan and his team went above and beyond on my behalf. I had an idea about marketing myself and they not only helped me to develop my idea, but also got behind me 100%, stuck with me FAR longer than most recruiters would and landed me the job of my dreams. Alan and his team LISTEN and truly made me feel like I was something special! I cannot recommend Alan and his team highly enough.

Charles Gardner, Vice President, Business Affairs and Legal CBS TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION

Alan is the consummate professional. I have worked with him both as a hiring partner of a law firm, and as an individual seeking a position as in-house counsel. Whether he is representing a hiring entity or a candidate, his work is timely, professional and highly sensitive to the confidentiality issues peculiar to the industry. I would not hesitate to recommend Alan to those seeking a recruiter with the highest levels of service and integrity.

John D. Mandelbaum, Chief Legal Officer AMERICAN BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES

Shelly is a phenomenal legal search consultant. She went above and beyond to work with me through the entire process of my lateral move, from applying and interviewing to negotiating and giving notice. Her professionalism and knowledge of the Chicago legal market was first rate. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a new position.

Ryan Court, Trusts and Estates Associate SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

Gary was a pleasure to work with during my legal employment search process. He only sought to submit me for openings that corresponded to my experience, and, thereafter, he advocated on my behalf from the initial submission through the offer. His response time was lightning fast when I had questions or concerns. I highly recommend Gary!

David Yonce, Associate ARNSTEIN & LEHR

I recently worked with Shelly during a lateral transfer. Throughout the process, Shelly was extremely responsive, provided helpful insight and great results. I can’t recommend Shelly enough if you are looking to work with a skilled professional recruiter who clearly has terrific connections with top law firms in the Chicago area.

Katie Lennox, Associate MCGUIREWOODS LLP

Gary was great to work with. He is smart, attentive and practical, and connected me to my present home! I'm glad I worked with him, and only have positive impressions and opinions of him.

Adam Wolek, Intellectual Property Partner TAFT STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP

Alan's knowledge of the Chicago market was instrumental in helping me navigate an interstate lateral move. Alan always looked out for my best interests and made sure I landed at a firm that fits well with my practice.

Yan Grinblat, Associate DLA PIPER

David recently assisted me with a lateral associate move. I truly felt that he was invested in placing me in the right position that fit my current professional and personal needs. He was courteous, extremely responsive, as well as personable, and provided me with great insight during the interview and offer negotiation processes. Even after I formally accepted the new position, David continued to follow up and ensure that it was a smooth transition for me to my new firm. I highly recommend David for anyone who is looking to find the right fit in their legal career search.

Jessica D. Allan, Associate TRIBLER ORPETT & MEYER, P.C.

Gary was a pleasure to work with. He presented the right opportunity at the right time-- and made sure I was prepared to be the right candidate. His interview prep was exceptionally helpful and focused. I'm extremely grateful for his assistance, guidance, and support.

Leah M. Farmer, Labor & Employment Associate FRANCZEK RADELET P.C.

I was recommended to Gary after some time searching for a job without the results I had originally envisioned. Right out of law school, I was anxious about the interview process. Gary offered to meet with me immediately and we were quickly able to pinpoint some successful strategies. Gary's insight and advice were absolutely pivotal towards finding a position I would succeed in. Gary has clearly seen it all and is always completely honest. No matter how much experience you have or where you are in your job search, I highly recommend him. He is willing to help anyone, and you can tell that he truly enjoys doing it.

Paul Sowa, Associate SCHROEDER LAW GROUP

Gary was a huge help in my search for a new job. He recommended fantastic opportunities, and when the time came to be interviewed, he took the time to sit down and give me invaluable advice on how to perform best. I greatly enjoyed working with Gary to take the next step in my career.

Richard S. Wilson, Associate SIPRUT P.C.

Gary was great to work with during my search for a new legal position. He was honest with respect to my prospects while always remaining positive. He also made sure I was completely prepared once he connected me with the right opportunity. His thorough interview preparation ensured that I was successful through multiple rounds of interviews. I'm glad I worked with Gary, and I would highly recommend him to others searching for a new legal career opportunity.

Raymond J. Jacobi III, Corporate Associate HORWOOD MARCUS & BERK CHTD.

Gary did a fantastic job helping me through this process all the way to a very successful conclusion. I can recommend Gary 100%.

Donald G. Olsen, Senior Counsel KAPLAN SAUNDERS VALENTE & BENINATI LLP

Gary is one of the most considerate people I know. He takes the time and does not beat around the bush. If you know your objectives and want to achieve your goal in an efficient manner, I do not think I can think of anyone who can help you more. His wry sense of humor makes working with him a breeze. All around great, hardworking guy.

Kevin H. Young, Litigation Associate HINSHAW & CULBERTSON LLP

Gary recently assisted me with my job search, which led to me accepting a position at a new firm. Throughout the entire process, Gary's communication was excellent. He very clearly communicated opportunities and was invaluable during the interview process for the job I accepted. I always knew I was in trusted hands and this provided a level of security in an otherwise nervous time. I highly recommend Gary and his services for those looking to transition into their next legal opportunity. Thank you Gary!

Matthew D. Martin, Litigation Associate ADLER MURPHY & MCQUILLEN LLP

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CLS Legal Staffing really came through for us when we were trying to fill a very unique opening for a legal secretary. Simone responded to our requests by providing us with a large selection of not only qualified candidates, but candidates who were also a perfect fit for the culture of our firm. The team listened and took the time to understood how best to meet our needs and this spoke volumes about their client service. They were very responsive and efficient throughout the entire process and we will certainly be using them again for future hires.

Jennifer A. Thomas, Human Resources Manager REED SMITH LLP

I recently used CLS Legal Staffing to hire a part-time legal assistant for my suburban law practice. I immediately received resumes for a variety of well qualified individuals. Within a very short period of time, I met and selected a candidate for the job. I was impressed with the efficiency of the individuals I worked with at CLS, the prompt responses to my communications, and, as indicated above, the quality of the candidates presented. I will most definitely use CLS for my future staffing needs.

Annette B. Hurley, Partner HURLEY LAW OFFICE, LLC

We had a unique legal assistant need for our growing legal department. Simone at CLS carefully assessed our needs and found us a candidate that was no less than a perfect fit. Going far beyond standard recruiting efforts, Simone showed her expertise in carefully assessed our needs and matching that with the candidates she presented. CLS will be a resource going forward.

David Mahoney, PHR, Human Resource Consultant COVERDELL & COMPANY INC.

CLS was very accommodating and provided quality paralegal staff to meet our specific needs.

Judith Borenstein, General Counsel SWEDISH COVENANT HOSPITAL

I was very impressed with the professional attention and honest communication I received from CLS Legal Staffing. They provided an array of quality candidates during our search process. I expect top quality service and CLS delivered.

Jeff Schelinski, Administrative Director LEVIN & SCHREDER, LTD.

CLS helped us to staff a new internal trademark function in our company. They identified several highly qualified candidates in a short time, which allowed us to make great choices for each of the positions to be filled. We couldn't be happier.

Stuart Graff, Sr. Counsel And Director Of Intellectual Property Law NEWELL RUBBERMAID

CLS Legal Staffing is one of the most professional and client-friendly legal staffing companies in Chicago. Our company has very specific needs in regards to staffing legal teammates and CLS Legal Staffing truly cared about our staffing requirements. They ask the right questions and quickly provided us with the perfect candidate for our staffing needs.

Jennifer Cullerton, Senior Coordinator, Human Resources BFS RETAIL & COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, LLC

Simone has been very strategic and timely with providing legal personnnel to our company. I also appreciate her positive personality and it is a pleasure to partner with her through CLS Staffing for our legal staffing needs.

Karen Evertsen, Sr. Corporate Staffing Consultant ABRAXIS BIOSCIENCE

We found our most recent paralegal hire through CLS Legal Staffing. We had very specialized needs, and CLS Legal Staffing was able to present us with a range of highly qualified candidates. Their staff also was helpful in closing the deal. In the end, their support enabled us to hire a great paralegal.

Douglas N. Masters, Esq. LOEB & LOEB

I recently started working with CLS Legal Staffing as we had a need to hire a paralegal and our current methods of recruiting were not meeting our needs. Simone at CLS assisted us with the search and we ended up hiring one of the candidates they presented to us. Since then, we are now using them for two additional searches. CLS was efficient in their search and presented quality candidates.

Carrie Novak, PHR, Assistant Director Of Human Resources HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION

All you need to do is look at the number of candidate testimonials from Latham & Watkins paralegals to see how many top quality candidates Simone Green of CLS Legal Staffing has found for the firm. Our paralegal program has been growing tremendously in the past few years and I can count on CLS Legal Staffing to research the job requirements and present the top candidates that match the position—whether it be in the litigation or transactional areas. Simone’s expertise has helped us reduce the time we waste on screening candidates who don’t match the job requirements and helped us find and focus on recruiting the top candidates available in the Chicago market.

Barbara Pipchok, Senior Paralegal & Paralegal Coordinator LATHAM & WATKINS

CLS’s efforts in determining client needs and goals are superior. This skill, combined with timely follow up and extensive candidate search capabilities, makes them an extremely effective resource for the legal employer.

Kenneth J. Nemec, Jr., Hiring Partner GOLDSTINE, SKRODZKI, RUSSIAN, NEMEC AND HOFF, LTD.

Our firm has worked with Chicago Legal Search continuously over the past 20 years. Throughout that time, we have found their team to be very capable, responsive and result oriented. By producing quality leads that seem to fit well with our firm culture, CLS has helped us avoid the inefficiencies that often plague the recruitment process. We have found that because CLS has taken the time to learn about our firm and our specific searches on an individualized basis, the leads they generate are not voluminous, but specially targeted to our needs with a keen eye towards “fit”. Their approach to these intangible factors is very unique and one that is not often duplicated by other recruiting firms.

Stephen M. Ruffalo, Managing Partner FUCHS & ROSELLI, LTD.


I have enjoyed working with Chicago Legal Search in placing attorneys at Accenture. They have taken a genuine interest in getting to know more about the company and really understanding what we are looking for in our candidates. They have placed some great candidates over the past year, and I look forward to our continuing partnership in the future.”

Susan G. Marlow, Enterprise Recruiting ACCENTURE HR SERVICES

Chicago Legal Search was very thorough about asking the right questions so that they could better understand the requirements of the position we were looking to fill. As a result, there was no time wasted in interviewing candidates that did not have the background or experience we were looking for, and in no time we had one of the candidates working with us. Chicago Legal Search was not only thorough upfront, but they remained actively involved throughout the entire process. Without a doubt, if we ever have the need to fill another position in this field our first call will definitely go to Chicago Legal Search.”

Norma Jean Valadez, SVP/Managing Director of Accounting EDELMAN


Chicago Legal Search has assisted us with our in-house attorney searches. Their recruiters quickly presented resumes of several exceptional candidates and assisted us throughout the hiring process. The attorneys we hired have been great additions to our legal department. We are extremely pleased with the results of our recruiting relationship with Chicago Legal Search.

Mary E. Doohan, Group Counsel MORTON INTERNATIONAL, INC., MORTON SALT

Freeborn & Peters relies on Chicago Legal Search for more than mere resumes, we look to them for advice and counsel regarding individuals. Chicago Legal Search consistently takes the time to learn and understand our firm’s special practice needs and goals, as well as our unique philosophy and culture, to help us achieve long-term, rewarding professional relationships. There exists with Chicago Legal Search a sense of trust and commitment that is seldom duplicated by other professionals.

William N. Howard, Esq. FREEBORN & PETERS

Chicago Legal Search has made a concerted effort to understand thoroughly our firm’s culture, business and hiring criteria. We have been absolutely delighted with the caliber of attorney placed with us by Chicago Legal Search.

Gene Leone, Managing Partner PIRCHER NICHOLS & MEEKS


Chicago Legal Search filled 2 in-house counsel positions for us. We received prompt and professional service from CLS associates and very qualified candidates were always presented. CLS always makes sure the candidates are prepared for the interview, and know the culture of our company, and desire to live in a rural area before coming in. I anticipate future openings within the legal department as we are a growing company and I would not hesitate to contact CLS first.

Heidi T. Mitchell, Director, Human Resources ZIMMER, INC.


Chicago Legal Search was able to deliver even with hard to find criteria for our in-house legal needs. CLS took time to fully understand our business and exactly what we were looking for in a great match, not just from a technical aspect, but also from a company fit. I appreciated their flexibility and consistency in providing top talent for our company in a timely manner.

Sarah Wahlstrom, Human Resources Manager DYSON, INC.


A Personalized Strategy

We have a customized and comprehensive database of over 75,000 candidates as well as a substantial confidential network, and a 30+ year track record of successfully placing hundreds of legal professionals. Whether you are a candidate or an employer, you can expect a proactive and tailored search.

Our Commitment

Candidates’ resumes are always kept in strict confidence. We never send a candidate’s resume to a client without his/her express authorization. You can be assured that inquiries to potential employers will be handled professionally, ethically and discreetly.

In a market as fast moving as Chicago, legal staffing needs typically evolve on a daily basis. Your career decisions should be made with as much accurate and informative market intelligence as possible as well as an understanding of all potential opportunities.

Our top priority is to find candidates better job opportunities and employers the best candidates.
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