Law firms in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, reflect the vibrancy of their surrounding communities. The legal market is characterized by an openness to talented outsiders and an extraordinary potential for continuing growth and prosperity over the next decades. We work with large and mid-sized firms in Phoenix primarily and have been privileged to help several of them continue their growth, while other firms around the country have been struggling.
Unlike in many other areas, Arizona law firms do not consider whether your family has long been in Arizona as a qualification for employment. The chief consideration firms tend to make is whether you have the talent to help them do their work.
Salaries in Arizona are lower than on the West Coast, which is a major reason why the firms in Arizona have not suffered the same economic upset as many West Coast firms in the past few years. While a position here may be more secure, moving to Arizona from one of the major firms in the coastal markets will mean a pay cut of between 20 and 40 percent. However, in the long term, prospects in Arizona are excellent. Housing prices are reasonable, taxes are lower, and partner profits are extremely respectable. A relocation to Arizona is not a step into the slow lane.
Tucson is, in many ways, a sub-market of Phoenix, Arizona's major metropolis. When a position becomes available in Tucson, it is typically the result of a satellite office of a Phoenix-based firm in need of assistance. For this reason, candidates looking only in Tucson should be aware that the search is likely to take longer than a Phoenix search. New positions in Tucson appear sporadically from month to month. A scattershot approach to a market like this is suicide in most cases.
Candidates with the best success rates in Arizona have shown a commitment to the state's legal community. What this means as a practical matter is that candidates already in Phoenix or Tucson are generally preferred. For out-of-state candidates seeking positions in Arizona, a single statistic may help demonstrate the importance of considering early sign-up for the Arizona bar exam, which every attorney moving to Arizona must take. In the past two years, we have placed 100% of accepted candidates who approached us after having signed up for the Arizona bar exam before having begun a job search in Arizona. In contrast, when candidates have only decided to consider positions in Arizona, but have not signed up for the bar exam, the percentage of placed candidates has been substantially lower. Arizona will often not consider candidates who are shopping around. Risk-hiring someone fleeing from an unsatisfactory position in California is infrequent with Arizona law firms. There are plenty of good reasons to move to Arizona, but these firms are not likely to try to champion any one of them. Attorneys seeking a move to the sunny Southwest who can stand the dry summer heat have no reason not to consider a move to the Grand Canyon state. There are numerous positions now available. The best course of action, if you are not already admitted to the bar in Arizona, is to separate yourself from those who appear to be capricious by signing up for the next bar examination.
Phoenix has seen significant and continuing activity in insurance litigation, particularly bad faith litigation against insurance companies. This is a burgeoning area of practice, and firms forecast further growth. In addition, because of the building boom in Arizona and the environmental and regulatory concerns that are entailed, there is significant growth in positions related to real estate. Other litigation positions have been consistently available for skilled attorneys, including intellectual property litigation for senior attorneys with no portable business and commercial litigation positions at all levels. Arizona's markets, particularly Phoenix's, continue to expand.
About Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.
With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.
Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.
Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.
One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.
One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.
Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.
Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.
In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.
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.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
