California - San Diego

Beautiful, sunny San Diego is the place to be. Well known for its beautiful beaches, great family fun, terrific dining, and extraordinary nightlife, San Diego is one of the best spots to bathe in the sun or just stroll the Pacific in Coronado, a peninsula located just across the bay from San Diego. This charming seaside community is home to several beautiful beaches, and a favorite of the locals is the terrific dog park at Ocean Beach. There are many leisure activities located on this 14-mile peninsula, including two live theaters, miles of bike paths, tennis courts, swimming pools, and golf. For family fun, one can take the kids to the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Wild Animal Park, or SeaWorld. Don't forget to schedule breakfast with Shamu. For nighttime dining, you won't want to miss Old Town San Diego, where you can walk through gardens, enjoy delicious hot tortillas made right in front of you, and shop at unique and fun boutiques that feature everything, including chocolates, clothes, toys, and artwork.

San Diego is a strong legal market and one of the most desirable areas to live. As such, there are a number of well-qualified candidates who apply to firms in the area. So if you aren't already in the area and are considering a move, it is important to demonstrate a commitment to relocating to the area or show strong ties to the area, such as having family there. Although a select few firms require the California bar, most firms in the area will take advantage of a great candidate when they see one.


There are many areas of activity, and litigation is probably the hottest right now. Candidates with large-firm experience and/or strong academic credentials will likely get interviews. We have firms of all sizes seeking litigators, including large national firms and small boutiques. Areas of litigation that are hot right now include complex commercial litigation, insurance litigation, and securities litigation.

There is a need for labor and employment attorneys at all levels. For senior-level attorneys in this practice, having portable business is not required. Attorneys with 2-6 years of experience in the labor and employment practice are hot as well. Experience in both litigation and counseling is always a plus.

San Diego firms are seeking experienced attorneys in the areas of employee benefits and executive compensation. Qualified candidates should have 3-5 years of solid experience in qualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and non-qualified deferred-compensation plans.

Junior and mid-level land use and environmental attorneys are also in demand. Qualified attorneys should have 2-5 years of experience from top law firms and strong academics. Experience in land use, environmental, and administrative law are sought after, especially experience with public agencies and experience in representing developers and property owners in land use transactions.

San Diego also needs junior and mid-level real estate and project finance attorneys. Qualified candidates should have 2-5 years of solid experience at a top law firm and strong academics. Transactional experience is a requirement, as is familiarity with banking and financial transactions or subdivision documentation.

Several months ago, IP and patent law were the hottest areas to be in; however, the firms' needs in this area have tapered off. Many firms are still interested in highly qualified patent and IP attorneys, though. Qualified patent candidates should be admitted to the patent bar. Firms have a strong preference for candidates with technical backgrounds (such as electrical engineering, mechanical, physics, biology, or chemistry).

As the market is improving, we are seeing more firms hire corporate candidates. Still, it is incredibly competitive to get a job in this area because there are so many well-qualified and experienced attorneys vying for these jobs. Qualified candidates should have experience in securities law, M&A, corporate compliance, and general corporate representation.

Partner and practice group movement is on the rise as we continue to get requests from firms for partners in all practice areas. We currently have a large number of partners interviewing at firms, and we are finding that partners with books of business of at least $750,000 are receiving multiple interviews. Partner activity is strong due to the economy: Firms simply need more people with business to generate work and make more profits. Most firms are currently seeking partners with a minimum of $500,000, and they are actively recruiting partners with significant books of business valued in excess of $1,000,000. The most desirable practice areas for partners with business are litigation, IP, bankruptcy, environmental, and real estate.

The market is definitely improving, and this is a strong market for experienced and talented attorneys. Firms are much more conservative in their growth than they were a few years ago and are hiring attorneys only when there is a demonstrated need for additional help in a practice area.


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.