professionals

Gary Matura is the co-founder and the President/CEO of Matura Farrington Staffing Services.  Gary provides executive leadership, vision, and structure and is responsible for client relations, business development, and the recruiting processes at the firm.  From 1989 to 1994, Gary was a cofounding partner and the driving force for one of Los Angeles’ top legal and corporate recruiting firms. In 1994, he and his business partner, Karen Farrington, established their firm, Matura Farrington.  Their goal was to develop a premier agency focused on excellent customer service and integrity, and their reputation with both clients and candidates reflects the success of that effort.  Over the past thirty years, he has been involved with thousands of direct-hire placements and temporary job assignments.  Gary is proud of the success that he, Karen, and their team of outstanding recruiters and staff have built, which has resulted in positioning Matura Farrington Staffing Services as the standard and leader in the industry.  At the end of 2021, Karen retired from the organization, and Gary, leaning on the strong foundation they built together, continues to lead the team as they focus on expanding their services.

Gary graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in business management and marketing from Cornell University. He is a member of the American Staffing Association, and the Los Angeles Chamber of Business, and a former member of Vistage, a premier executive coaching and business leadership organization.

Adrienne Barbee has facilitated over 1,300 direct hire placements throughout her career and is one of Matura Farrington’s most connected and top performing recruiters. The most prestigious law firms in the country rely on Adrienne’s 20 years of experience along with her consultative, bottom-line approach to deliver talent.

As Managing Director, Adrienne is responsible for recruiting, and leading a national business services practice team. She and her team identify talent across various cross functional areas such Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Executive Management, Marketing & Business Development, Law firm Administration and legal support.  Her search assignments commonly include CFO’s, Directors Finance/Administration, Accounting & Finance professionals, Business Development Managers, HR professionals & more.

Adrienne brings deep experience successfully scaling high growth firms and supporting national expansion efforts. She intimately understands law firm culture, law firm economics and the need for competitive edge.

Adrienne is an LA native with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Prior to joining Matura Farrington, she spent several years with a global accounting and finance search firm. Outside of work, she is an adventure seeker who loves travel and enjoys an active family life.

Gloria Pacheco is Matura Farrington’s most senior recruiter with decades of recruiting and staffing experience.  Her searches primarily focus on law firm support positions including legal secretaries, paralegals, receptionists, records, and office services staff.

Prior to her career in recruiting, Gloria was a paralegal in the entertainment industry. Her work involved regular contact with high-profile actors, directors, and producers on complex contractual and legal matters.

Gloria’s breadth of industry knowledge and experience makes her an invaluable partner to both her clients and candidates. It is her consultative approach and “outside the box” thinking that allows her to successfully handle even the most challenging positions and manage the firm’s biggest client accounts.

In her spare time, Gloria enjoys collecting Latin American art and traveling to South America and the Caribbean.

Since joining Matura Farrington in 2011, JP has specialized in client account management, and the sourcing / recruitment of various talented law firm and business services professionals. JP offers a strong partnership with his clients, which includes boutique, regional, and international law firms, and other corporate/professional services firms. He routinely completes successful searches for legal staff, and all other areas of business such as Marketing & Business Development, Human Resources, Executive Search, Accounting/Finance, and IT. JP is also a member of the company’s Management Committee, which includes advising on key company initiatives and the development of personnel.

JP’s track record of over 700+ successful placements is a result of his intimate understanding of his clients’ needs and values. Clients and candidates alike trust JP’s approach of leading by listening, but he is proactive in offering ideas, solutions, and information to support them in navigating the recruitment process. He is well-versed in various specialties of law, systems, and legal processes, so he can identify the best talent for specialized positions. Whether it’s “Big Law” or boutiques, JP is known as being a trusted partner with his transparent guidance, and he strives to facilitate mutually rewarding long-term matches for both parties.

Originally from St. Louis, he attended the University of Missouri (Go Mizzou!) and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business & Communications. Outside of the office, JP can be found enjoying the plethora of LA sports, music, and looking for his next traveling adventure.

Kristen Reza has over twenty years of experience as a legal recruiter. Kristen started her recruiting career placing legal support staff candidates in law firms and in-house legal departments. In 2007, Kristen moved her focus to the specialty of attorney recruitment and has spent the past four years placing attorneys in large and small law firms, and in-house legal departments across a wide range of industries. Kristen’s specific attorney placements include partners with business, lateral associates, general and assistant counsels, and a variety of specialized contract attorney positions across Southern California.

Prior to her career in recruiting, Kristen was a development officer with a national non-profit organization that awards college scholarships to outstanding high-school students. It was here that she had her first experience recruiting for specialized projects and positions; she enjoyed it so much that she decided to turn it into a career. Kristen’s approach to recruiting is consultative; she advises both candidates and clients about market trends, hiring practices, and changes in the industry. She prides herself on her ability to listen to the needs of her clients, and the desires of her candidates, and make a solid match with every placement.

Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California, San Diego in Psychology and Biology, and attended the University of San Francisco, School of Law.

Shannon Avnsoe joins Matura Farrington with over 20 years of search consultant experience of matching top credentialed attorneys and paralegals with AmLaw 200 law firms, as well as in-house placements at leading organizations. In addition, Shannon also specializes in placements of business professionals with a focus in marketing, business development, public relations, D&I, and professional development.

Shannon began her recruiting career with the national staffing and recruitment firm, Robert Half. In addition to having served as an independent attorney search consultant, she was the senior recruiting manager for a premier California-based attorney search firm and a founding member of NALSC. Prior to her years as a recruiter, Shannon spent a decade as a successful Los Angeles paralegal, both with a New York-based international law firm, and in-house with Fox Family Entertainment. She has worked in a broad range of industries and practice areas.

Shannon’s success is derived from her personalized approach coupled with her deep understanding of the full-cycle recruiting process for each party, which is due in part to her broad career experience and firsthand industry knowledge. She holds a unique talent of identifying the best match on a professional and personal level, and her passion for recruiting the best for the best as well as her commitment to excellence is reflected in each experience she provides for candidates and clients alike.

Jenna Betancourt joined Matura Farrington in April 2021 as a Recruiter specializing with direct hire placements for finance and accounting positions. Jenna’s strength as a good listener and her affable nature contribute to her success in connecting with qualified candidates, and her consultative approach allows her to better identify the best opportunities for candidates. She leans on her experience as a former competitive soccer player and coach to dig fiercely into each opportunity for her clients, and her motivation is driven by her genuine interest to support candidates’ path to success, which results in success for her clients as well.

Jenna began her career as a recruiter with Maxim where she focused on a highly competitive and challenging healthcare market. Prior to her recruiting career, she graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Business Administration. Outside of the office, you can find her on the soccer field, and she appreciates any recommendations for new and local coffee shops to fuel her caffeine addiction.

Jessica Fry joined Matura Farrington as a recruiter in February 2020, and her expertise includes temporary and direct hire placements of administrative accounting roles and legal support staff including paralegals and legal secretaries. Her greatest skill is her consultative approach in understanding the needs, goals, and expectations of both clients and candidates, and her success is evident in the long-lasting relationships she has built throughout her career. Jessica’s diligent, empathetic, and devoted nature made her an asset to her professional relationships, especially during the challenging circumstances brought on by COVID-19.

Prior to joining Matura Farrington, Jessica’s career included a decade of experience within sales, management, and customer service. She has worked for leading companies including Nordstrom and Target, two organizations whose missions are focused on elevating customer engagement and satisfaction. A native of Pasadena, Jessica received her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge in Communications. Outside of the office, she enjoys indulging in the Court Junkie podcast, and she is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to enjoy live music.

Jessica Garcia joined Matura Farrington in October 2021 as a crucial part of expanding the Legal Support branch of the company. Her focus, genuine empathy, language skills and tenacity to achieve the best results have been an asset to her budding career as a recruiter. Her emphasis on helping create a net positive in the world by helping individuals achieve their career goals is what cements a solid relationship between clients and candidates.

Prior to joining The Matura Farrington team Jessica had a deep and extensive relationship with the art and museum world. She could be found within the walls of The Broad selling high end luxury prints and achieved consistent and generous sales. Before that she worked intimately at the Timken Museum of Art on day-to-day operations and utilized her skills in language and administration support on more extensive projects. A graduate of San Diego State University, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Studio arts and Japanese. On her days off she can be found painting, as well as visiting museums and galleries.

As of February 2023 , Matura Farrington has welcomed Katherine as a new addition to its Legal Secretary and Paralegal Recruitment team. Katherine brings extensive experience in talent acquisition, with a focus on building connections with top-tier professionals across diverse industries. Her main responsibilities include personalized consultation for candidates seeking to expand or pivot into a new career field, as well as providing guidance throughout the hiring process.

Katherine’s background in communications and previous experience in a fast-paced industry make her a valuable addition to the team. Her career in recruitment began in 2019 as a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Randstad, where she excelled in customer service and business professional roles. Katherine holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Houston, which enhances her ability to communicate effectively and understand individuals’ needs. In her free time, Katherine enjoys exploring new coffee shops and spending time with her two dogs, Hercules & Apollo.

As of May 2022, Matura Farrington has welcomed Sandra Lee as a new addition to its Human Resources & Accounting Recruitment team. Sandra’s main responsibilities entail creating connections with top-tier talents in various fields via different platforms and provide personalized consultation to those who hope to expand or pivot into a new career field. Her strengths in communications along with prior experience in a fast-paced industry highlight her ability to direct candidate’s desire in career advancement by providing a personalized consultation and preparation along the hiring process.

Sandra’s career in recruitment started at Korean Air in 2019 as a Talent Acquisition Specialist, where her skills in consultation in airport operations, customer service, and business professional roles were highlighted within a fast-paced environment. Prior to her corporate experience, Sandra graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Social Psychology in which she utilizes her education to understand one better in all communications. Aside from her career, she enjoys to go hiking and collect new coffee gadgets such as aeropress, moka pot, and siphon.

Cesar Mercado joined Matura Farrington in May 2021 to support the company’s expansion of temporary staffing services. As a recruiter, Cesaris focused on connecting with candidates on a personal level to find them immediate opportunities with respected clients for positions within areas including legal support, finance, and accounting. Cesar’s success is due to his commitment to strong communication, teamwork, and perseverance.

Before joining the Matura Farrington team, Cesar spent a decade with Nordstrom, a well-known luxury organization dedicated to maintaining the highest level of service. With Nordstrom, Cesar achieved continuous promotions to various management positions and was responsible for overseeing departments with sales up to $10M annually. A graduate of Cal State Long Beach, Cesar focused his Liberal Arts degree on studying Interpersonal Communication, which is evident in his career. When not working, Cesar can be found with friends and enjoying Disneyland.

Amanda Moser is an Associate Recruiter with Matura Farrington Staffing Services where she helps match legal professionals to positions that align with their skills and career goals. With a background in social services and experience as a legal assistant, Amanda brings a unique perspective to her role and is dedicated to helping others find fulfillment in their careers. She is a hard-working and goal-oriented individual who is committed to supportive and ethical practices in the workplace. In her free time, Amanda loves to unwind by reading a good book or going for a swim.

Taylor Olsen joined Matura Farrington in May 2022 as a sourcing specialist. Taylor’s innate interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and steadfastness allow her to quickly identify and engage with top-tier talent. More, because of her consultative approach and integrity, she is able to build relationships based on trust and authenticity, which allows her to better understand her candidate’s potential for prospective employers.

Prior to joining Matura Farrington, Taylor established her career within the fashion industry at Urban Outfitters, a multinational lifestyle retail corporation. Over the course of six years, Taylor rapidly moved through the ranks of management and often consulted with corporate leaders on company sales initiatives. Through her years at Urban, she developed exceptional communication, customer service, and managerial skills that contribute to her success as a recruiter.

Latisha Ramos is a staffing manager with over 15 years’ experience in business development, candidate sourcing, branch management, employee relations, budgeting, staff management, and talent acquisition. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Latisha has held managerial positions at PeopleReady, RehabAbilities, and BaronHR, where she was responsible for managing teams of recruiters, overseeing branch operations, and ensuring the accurate and timely submission of payroll documents. She has also been involved in business development and client retention, as well as implement ting policies and procedures. Latisha has a track record of increasing revenue and has received recognition for her achievements, such as the Circle of Excellence award.

Matura Farrington welcomed Janet Semino in February 2016. Janet’s passion for recruiting has been a vital component of her success in the field. Her primary focus includes but is not limited to, successfully sourcing talent in the legal accounting & finance fields to help generate a solid match between Matura Farrington’s clients and candidates. Janet recruits for a wide arrange of positions, from entry-level to senior-level roles. She finds joy in meeting and helping candidates attain success in their job searches.

Janet graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources. Prior to starting at Matura Farrington, Janet worked in banking as a manager where she learned a wide spread of skills in sales, customer service, and management which has set the foundation for her recruiting career. Outside of work, Janet enjoys helping others with financial literacy, relaxing with friends and family, and traveling

Charlotte Smith joined Matura Farrington in August 2022 as part of the temporary staffing services team. Charlotte’s goal is to use her more personal approach to build connections and long-lasting relationships with clients. Charlotte’s compassion, integrity, and patience give her the ability to understand and connect with candidates and match them with prospective employers.

Previously, Charlotte worked for Trader Joe’s, a national grocery store that specializes in high customer service and retention. After only a short time there, Charlotte was given the responsibility of overseeing and managing the largest area of merchandise in the store, accounting for over 20% of total sales. After so many years at Trader Joe’s, she learned the importance of customer satisfaction, strong communication, and problem-solving skills; all leading her to her new role as a recruiter. Outside of work, you can find Charlotte either at the beach with her friends or in the movie theater.

Effective January 2021, Stephanie Steele joined the Matura Farrington Staffing Services team as Director – Operations and Human Resources. Stephanie brings over fifteen years of experience serving as an operational and administration generalist for various businesses within the entertainment and financial services industries. Prior to her focus on internal corporate management, Stephanie spent a decade as a successful sales and marketing representative specializing within the consumer-packaged goods industry, which included representing premiere licensing opportunities with globally recognized brands such as the National Football League.

While Stephanie has had experience working within esteemed billion-dollar companies such as FTI Consulting and News America Marketing (formerly a leading division of News Corporation), Stephanie’s most recent experience has been focused on launching various start-up organizations. Her broad background provides for a strong foundation within finance, human resources, corporate administration, and general office management, and she is excited to bring her knowledge and passion to support Matura Farrington and its esteemed clients.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Outside of the office, Stephanie is working on a 10K time under an hour, improving her green thumb in her garden, and perfecting her challah bread.

Monica joined Matura Farrington in 2010 as a Recruiter where she was responsible for the management of the Company’s Legal Temporary Staffing Division, which included thousands of hours monthly among law firms of all sizes across the greater Los Angeles area. After many successful years as a recruiter, Monica transitioned to support the Company’s operations team. In her current role as Payroll & Administration Manager, Monica supports the Company’s weekly payroll process and distribution in addition to managing internal administrative and compliance processes. Her extensive understanding of the staffing industry, success as a recruiter in a fast-paced environment, and the knowledge of the business operations allows her a unique opportunity to support the organization, our clients, and our candidates at every level.

Prior to joining Matura Farrington, Monica established her career in the industry as a Branch Manager of a leading staffing agency. A Los Angeles native, Monica received her Bachelor of Arts from Occidental College and enjoys all the wonderful activities Southern California has to offer.

With over 13 years of staffing experience in administrative and payroll positions, including 8 of those years at Matura Farrington, Tom is well versed in the daily operations of a staffing firm and what is involved in running an organized and efficient office. He is committed to meeting your requests and inquiries in a timely manner all handled with aplomb and a sense of humor. If he doesn’t know the answer right off, he will research until he does. Tom holds a B.S. in Social Work from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.