The Recruiter-Law Firm Relationship

The trusted recruiter is a direct extension of a law firm, and the success of that firm must be the first consideration when submitting any candidates to enter its hiring process. By recognizing that a firm stands or falls on the quality of its lawyers, the recruiter reinforces the quality and scale of its relationships by also understanding that this same rule applies regarding the quality of his/her services and the reputation of the search firm that he/she represents.

In the reality of today's economy, a recruiter must recognize and understand the law firm's hesitation to explore legal-search firms for its hiring needs. A pivotal element of any recruiter's success is to understand that his/her growth is tied in with his/her clients' growth. The day of moving one lateral from one firm to the next is, in essence, a thing of the past. The industry has changed dramatically, and so have economics. Firms today are not merely interested in filling a position, but also in shaping a more productive legal structure for the future. At the end of the day, a recruiter's overall fulfillment should be the ability to say that he/she made a substantial enhancement in the careers of his/her candidates by assisting their clients in building a great firm that is able to attract, develop, excite, and retain exceptional lawyers to better serve its clients.

An important aspect is how a recruiter sets him/herself apart from the competition. What can one say to a particular client that has not already been said by his/her competitor?

Forget about cookies, a fancy fruit basket, or candy. The single-greatest factor driving effective client relationships, including sales effectiveness, is the level of trust in the relationship. In order to achieve this, a recruiter must recognize the ability to strengthen his/her client-relationship skills without necessarily focusing on the sale. Office Administrators and Managing Partners are totally put off by a recruiter who lacks passion, confidence, expertise, and knowledge about his/her profession and who merely approaches the business with thoughts of a "sale" or a "placement."

In order to establish the foundation and platform for a long-term relationship, a recruiter must first establish trust. A true and loyal client is one who believes in you (the recruiter) and who ultimately believes that you have an interest in the firm's overall success. A recruiter must understand the Office Administrator, Recruiting Coordinator, or Managing Partner as a person as well as a client. By sharing with your client appropriate information about one's own personal and professional backgrounds, the recruiter places both the client and the recruiter on common ground. In doing so, the client recognizes not only the recruiter's understanding and appreciation for the intricacies of the legal market in which we operate, the firm's culture, and overall practice, but an understanding of the recruiter as a person as well. In cultivating and nurturing this relationship, the firm will ultimately see that making the right hiring decisions is clearly vital to the firm's future and that it now has a new member of its legal family to assist it in fulfilling that objective.

Building professional client relationships that add value to the firm can lead to long-term, profitable, and personal relationships and an expansion of the firm's business and that of the recruiter and/or search firm. This competency involves building a solid, mutually respectful partnership, delivering service that exceeds the expectations of the client and building and expanding both business and personal long-term relationships.

Remember one thing: The recruiter with the best relationship will get that firm's business over and over again! Extraordinary success is only as far away as the kind of investments you make in your relationships with your clients. Remember that the legal arena is small, but your reputation is far greater. For every investment you make in any potential relationship, that investment with that one client may lead to future referrals to other firms, increased value in the eyes of your client, retained searches or possibly exclusives, and finally, increased revenue.
 

See the following articles for more information:

• What Characteristics Should I Look for in a Legal Recruiter?
• Interview yourself first - questions to ask before starting your lateral search
• How to Choose a Good Attorney Recruiter
• Why You Should Be Talking to a Legal Recruiter Right Now
• Choosing a Legal Recruiter
• Your Legal Career as a Small Business
• Should I Use a Legal Recruiter? Top 10 Reasons to Use a Legal Recruiter
• How to Select the Best Legal Recruiter and Maximize the Effectiveness of Working with One
• What makes a world class recruiter
• 10 Things That Most Legal Recruiters Will Not Tell You
• Why Almost No Law Firms Care About Legal Recruiter Fees

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.