Attention All Partners: Help Me Help You

I really want to help my partner candidates find the job they want. I'm ready to do everything I can to make that happen. I try to alleviate as much of the burden from the job seeking process as possible. One thing I can't do for my partner candidates, however, is write their business plans for them.

The first thing my partner candidates need to know is that business plans are essential. As a partner, you are no longer in associate realms while job hunting, i.e., a resume alone is not going to cut it. There are no exceptions. Taking on a new partner is a huge investment for a firm. Law firms invest a lot of time and money in screening and interviewing partner candidates. They are interested in more aspects than are generally important for associate candidates.


For instance, firms are (big surprise) interested in your portable book of business. As a result, they want to know your originations for the past few years. They want to know, if not the names of your clients, then at least the industry of that client and the type of representation you have provided. If you don't know the amount of business that is portable, you need to say that, but you also need to provide some estimated numbers and explanations as to why those numbers are estimated. Law firms understand that determining such issues is not an exact science, but they want as clear a picture as possible of what you can provide. I think that partners sometimes become nervous about promising more than they might be able to deliver, and that is understandable. But, remember, your business plan is not engraved in stone. You are simply conveying the best information you can provide. You need to be honest and forthright, but no one expects you to gaze into your crystal ball and foresee the future.

Law firms also want to know where you are headed. Not where you are headed for the weekend, naturally, but why moving to their firm makes sense for your business and theirs. Why would this move be a good arrangement for everyone? For example, are you looking at joining a larger law firm? If so, why? Does a move to a larger platform make sense for your client? Can you provide it better resources? Can you offer the client more extensive services? Does moving to a larger firm offer you more cross-selling opportunities?

You cannot expect a law firm that is inundated daily with resumes and business plans to read in-between the lines for you. Not only do they not understand your client and its needs, but they are not going to take the time to figure it out if you fail to provide the information to them. Again, you do not need a crystal ball, but it is essential that you try to show what you and the firm stand to gain.

Another thing that I firmly believe a business plan needs to provide is a picture of who you are. I constantly hear from recruiting coordinators and hiring partners that the partners they hire must fit the firm's culture. I think that the best way to indicate how you are a good fit is just to tell the firm a little about yourself. Personal stuff. Do you have kids? How long have you been living in the city where you currently reside? What do you like to do with your (albeit small amount) of free time? It goes without saying that the firm will not be publishing your personal memoir, so you don't have to go into enormous detail. In fact, please don't. No one wants to hear how your parents misunderstood you when you were thirteen. You just need to give them a sense of who you are.

You are probably beginning to get a sense of why I cannot write the business plan for you. The main reason, I think, is that the business plan needs to be in your voice. It is incredibly apparent when you have given your own attention to the matter at hand. What does increased attention mean for you? Well, an interview for starters, or at least movement to the top of the pile of resumes/business plans. I have seen partner candidates with less to offer monetarily receive much greater attention than partners with heftier books because they took the business plan seriously. Everyone wants to feel that they are the center of attention. The best way for you to be the center of attention is to show firms that they are the center of your attention. Take the time at the outset to draft a business plan that matters. It will pay for itself.


About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.