5 March 2025

On the ground: Quick 5 with Jahnna

In the legal world, things don’t slow down, and having the right people in place can make all the difference. Hear how Jahnna McKeag, Associate Director, Secondments, connects legal teams with the right support when they need it most. Jahnna shares her insights on what makes a great placement, the trends shaping the industry, and how she balances it all —both in and out of work. 

Your work goes beyond placements—it’s about solving problems and finding the right fit. How do you ensure secondments are truly successful for both legal teams and professionals?

Secondments aren’t just about filling gaps—they’re about strengthening teams and creating meaningful career opportunities. Success comes down to fit—not just technical capability, but cultural alignment and adaptability.

We take a consultative approach, working closely with legal teams and secondees to ensure the right match. Throughout the placement, we stay engaged with ongoing support, check-ins, and professional development. It’s about relationships, not transactions. By investing in secondees and ensuring legal teams get professionals who integrate seamlessly, we create an environment where both sides feel valued and set up for success.

In-house legal teams are evolving—facing growing demands, tighter budgets, and shifting expectations. What trends are you seeing in legal resourcing, and how do you think secondments will play a bigger role in the future?

Legal teams are under more pressure than ever expected to do more with less while managing risk and aligning with business strategy. We’re seeing a shift towards agile resourcing, where secondments offer a flexible, cost-effective alternative to permanent hires or external firms.

Secondments provide highly skilled lawyers who integrate quickly and add immediate value, making them an essential tool for legal teams looking to stay adaptable, efficient, and responsive to changing demands.

Every legal team has its own unique challenges. What’s one common misconception about secondments that you often help clients overcome?

Many assume secondments are just a temporary fix to cover an absence. In reality, they offer much more—bringing deep expertise, industry insights, and strategic value beyond day-to-day operations. Legal teams use secondments for specialist expertise, major projects, and even leadership support. It’s not just about filling a role but about matching the right person to the right challenge in a way that delivers real impact. 

Beyond work, you’re also a mum, a wife, a friend. With everything you juggle, what keeps you grounded?

How I start my day sets the tone for everything that follows. No matter how busy life gets, I always make time for my morning practice—breathwork, mindfulness, yoga, learning, and reflection. It’s my anchor before emails, meetings, and school drop-offs.

Connection also keeps me grounded—whether it’s sharing a moment with my daughters, walking by the ocean, or catching up with a friend. Life is full, and that’s a gift, but it’s the pauses, the presence, and the small rituals that bring clarity and balance.

At the heart of it all, you’re not just placing people in jobs—you’re helping businesses thrive and giving legal professionals opportunities to do meaningful work. What keeps you inspired every day?

The most rewarding part is seeing the impact on both sides—helping businesses find the legal expertise they need while giving professionals opportunities that align with their skills, ambitions, and lifestyle. It’s about creating genuine connections where people feel valued and empowered. Knowing that a placement has made a real difference—to a business, a team, or someone’s career—is what keeps me inspired every day.

Learn more about Jahnna on LinkedIn and reach out for a chat.