California - San Francisco

BCG's San Francisco office has developed a winning reputation for helping attorneys of all stripes find the right homes among the city's many firms. San Francisco has a vibrant legal community, making it both an interesting and exciting place to practice law. The networking opportunities are abundant, as are the opportunities to learn and grow.

The legal market is as eclectic as the city. "Big Law" is represented in San Francisco, as are small boutiques and everything in between. Characterized as a "lifestyle" city, which really just means that each individual firm, big and small, has its own distinct style and attitude, San Francisco is accommodating to attorneys from out of state. However, many will require the California bar. Opportunities for corporate attorneys are rising again, and litigators are always in sharp demand.


San Francisco combines the cosmopolitanism of London and the clean air of Stockholm with the spectacular scenery of Istanbul. In fact, the famed Golden Gate Bridge gets its name, poetically, from the Golden Horn, that spur of water that cuts into the old Queen of Cities, Constantinople, and which finds its spectacular analogue here in the New World.

San Francisco may be "hard to leave," as Rudyard Kipling once reported, but it is perhaps the easiest city in the world at which to arrive. Whether you arrive by plane at Oakland or SF International Airport; by car on the hoary 101; by bus; or as Jack Kerouac did, as a hitchhiker, the sublime city bids welcome in a way that only the hardest of hearts can resist.

Famed for the eclectic culture, fine restaurants, and magnificent hills, the City by the Bay is without a doubt one of the most splendid places on earth to practice law. Aided by a mild climate, crisp air, and startling purity of light, nearly Provencal in its intensity, San Francisco has been a powerful magnet for students, craftsmen, designers, professionals, bohemians, and professional bohemians for more than a century. Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, and Jack Kerouac are some of the writers who have called San Francisco home, as have countless others, living and dead. There is a lively local music scene, as well as strong poetry, art, and design cultures. In fact, one way to view the city is as a massive proscenium for all that the human heart and mind have to offer.

Known for more than a century in China as "Gold Mountain," San Francisco has been a magnet for immigrants and emigrants, from almost the moment it was founded, from every corner of the earth. Whether seeking gold during the dot-com boom or in the 19th-century Gold Rush, people from all over the world have not only left their hearts in San Francisco, they have made it their home.

San Francisco is well known for its Chinatown and Little Italy. There is also an endless array of smaller ethnic enclaves with their eponymous cuisines: Czech, French, Thai, Filipino, German, Korean, Japanese, Russian, and so on. The diversity of San Francisco's population is out of proportion to its relatively small size. Strolling down the sidewalk, you are as likely to hear Italian as Cantonese or Tagalog.

The city's diversity created a number of utterly distinct neighborhoods, which are almost village-like in their intensely local feel. These include Russian Hill, Noe Valley, the Castro, Pacific Heights, the Marina, the Mission, the Haight, Twin Peaks, and so on. Given this rich variety, it is worthwhile taking time to explore and decide which one to call home.

Lately, San Francisco's young, telegenic mayor, Gavin Newsom, has made national headlines for his defiance of a California law that defines marriage as a sacred bond between a man and a woman. While both widely applauded and reviled for this stance, there is no denying that during the recent mayoral election, he was cast by his opponent and much of the local media as the "establishment" candidate, a crypto-conservative. Only in San Francisco!

The truth is that the city's politics are no stranger to controversy. Indeed, its inhabitants revel in the knowledge that their city is sui generis.

San Francisco has changed in a number of ways from its days as the epicenter of the sixties. It is far more expensive than it once was even a decade ago, more hurried, more chaotic, less laid-back. Even, some darkly mutter, more "New York," with aggressiveness. Drivers these days are anything but courteous. It's perhaps the most dangerous city in America to be a pedestrian, which is a shame, because it is also the most glorious. Many Baby Boomers mourn San Francisco's generational shift from hippie capital of the counterculture to Valhalla of the petit bourgeoisie, but what has remained constant is the city's reputation as a civic heaven, and haven, for so many different groups of people.

The sheer number of outdoor pursuits available here is limited only by your imagination and pocketbook. Ramblers, rock-climbers, spelunkers, scuba divers, sailors, skiers, skydivers, whale-watchers, gardeners, and an endless number of hobbyists doing activities that you've never heard of are able to pursue their passions somewhere in the vicinity. There is surfing, too, as well as windsurfing and kitesurfing. These and other water sports generate a double frisson: There's the temperature of the water, which flows down the coast from Alaska, and additionally, from the knowledge that there's a great white breeding ground within hailing distance of the Bay at the Farallon Islands. Sharks can be seen and even fed (intentionally or inadvertently), as can sea lions, seals, and humpback whales on their annual migrations. On warmer nights, the sea lions that live at the Wharf bark madly, and their hoarse wails can be heard for miles.

For those who like to gamble, or party, Las Vegas is a short, 50-minute plane ride away. Also in close proximity are Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. The bottom line is that you can find almost anything the world has to offer close at hand.

San Francisco, and the Bay Area in general, has become a gastronomy center of worldwide importance. It was not always thus, but few would quibble with the fact that the last 20 years has seen a culinary renaissance on a scale similar to London's. Alice Waters (doyenne of Chez Panisse), arguably put the city on the culinary map, but many worthies have followed the trail she blazed and heeded her call for fresh, locally grown organic produce. These days, San Francisco is home to a dizzying array of restaurants offering some of the freshest seafood, the most colorful and dazzling vegetables, and the sanest beef. Many savvy shoppers head to Chinatown for the remarkably fresh and inexpensive produce and meats on offer. San Francisco's best restaurants include Ozumo, Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Foreign Cinema, Boboquivir, and what many consider to be the world's finest restaurant, Thomas Keller's French Laundry in Yountville.

Wine country, which is traditionally thought of as Napa and Sonoma, also includes a bevy of less-trodden areas up and down the coast. Literally hundreds of wineries offer the fruit of their vines, and some include an expanded line of Mediterranean produce, such as olive oil, peppers, and artisan cheeses. There is also, for those so inclined, the annual garlic festival in Gilroy and San Francisco's restaurant dedicated to garlic, The Stinking Rose. Both can be smelled for miles.

Besides the leisure options, professional opportunities abound because of the first-rate companies and law firms that call San Francisco home. Among other industries, there is the Bay Area's famous association with technology and all of the transactional and litigation work that that entails. What oil is to Saudi Arabia, intellectual property is to the Bay Area.

In addition to the famous mix of technology companies, from "upstart" Google to stately Intel, there is a less well known array of "creative," media-type clients, including Pixar; Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope; Industrial Light & Magic; and many, many more in all areas of endeavor.

Rocked by the business equivalent of the 1906 earthquake, the City by The Bay continues its recovery apace. Having rebuilt from previous disasters with grace and style, the early 2000 collapse will no doubt soon be in the rearview mirror.

Several local universities offer a dizzying array of courses even for busy professionals. The bottom line is that San Francisco offers unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth.

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.