California - Silicon Valley

What budding junior, mid-level, or senior lawyer wouldn't want to practice at the epicenter of the entrepreneurial cradle, California's Silicon Valley? It all began in 1939, when the original garage start-up was created by two Stanford University grads, William R. Hewlett and David Packard. Since then, the legendary business deals in Silicon Valley have frequently been compared to the great Gold Rush that brought so many to the New West. Although many other areas in the United States have tried to set up their own technology corridors, this is the original and still the best!

You can take the 101 and 280 to Silicon Valley, but you won't see a sign for it. It stretches roughly from San Jose to just south of San Francisco, an area approximately 50 miles long and 10 miles wide. It contains household-name Fortune 100 companies, as well as some of the best start-up opportunities anywhere in the United States.


This area has spawned one of the greatest concentrations of wealth anywhere in the world, with billions of dollars invested in some of the most successful venture capital firms in the world. Is it any wonder that nearly everyone with a good idea tries to raise capital here? That means one thing: a large number of companies that need attorneys.

Silicon Valley has everything that an aspiring attorney might want. Some of the best technology and service companies can be found here, including such giants as Applied Materials Inc., Apple Computer, Cisco Systems, Ebay, Electronic Arts, Hewlett-Packard Co., Google, Intel, Netscape, Oracle Corporation, Sun Microsystems, and Yahoo!

Of course, the most recent media attention has focused on the rise and fall of the dot-com tide, those halcyon days when it seemed that every person in the Bay Area had a business plan, much like the screenplay in every waitperson's back pocket in Los Angeles. Since the dot-com crash, the legal market remains vital. The corporate market has now rebounded from the bubble burst.

As a mark of the robustness of the legal market here, many New York and international powerhouse law firms have opened offices here. A further measure of the market is that nearly all of the associates and partners from the once-formidable Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LLP, were quickly assimilated into other firms around the Silicon Valley area.

Many of the most respected attorneys in the United States are here in Silicon Valley. This is, after all, the home base for Cooley Godward; Fenwick & West; and of course, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Rudnick Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich; Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe; Morrison & Foerster; O'Melveny & Meyers; and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe.

Indeed, the high quality of the work available to attorneys here hasn't gone unnoticed, and more and more of it is being generated. Some world-class New York and international firms with a presence here include Coudert; Foley Lardner; Greenberg Traurig; Latham & Watkins; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (through its acquisition of Brobeck attorneys); Reed Smith (in a merger with Venture Law Group); Squire Sanders & Dempsey; Shearman & Sterling; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Skadden Arps Meagher & Flom; and Weil, Gotshal & Manges. What is attracting all of these major firms to this area? The same thing that is attracting young associates: a sophisticated legal community with exciting entrepreneurial clients.

Quality of work is also the reason that salaries at firms in Silicon Valley are the same as, or sometimes even higher than, salaries of New York firms. Sophisticated work and high-quality clients are the norm in this market.

For those interested in intellectual property-whether it is "hard" (including patents, patent litigation, and patent prosecution) or "soft" (including licensing, copyright issues, and trademark issues)-Silicon Valley is the place to be. Although the corporate attorneys receive most of the press, the markets for intellectual property candidates and litigators are always booming. Tax and ERISA attorneys are in sharp demand in a market where start-up companies become multi-billion-dollar entities in only a few years. As deals sour and technology falls into dispute, the Silicon Valley is a hot practice area for litigators. The Bay Area is home to some of the most expensive corporate real estate, and a number of large REITs have their headquarters located here. Real estate has remained a thriving practice, even though occupancy of commercial real estate has decreased.

Silicon Valley boasts some of the nicest weather on the planet. The logo above Broadway Street in Redwood City attests: "Climate Best by Government Test." The Bay Area is host to some of the most extensive outdoor facilities that can be found. Silicon Valley offers a broad spectrum of leisure activities: walking your dog, playing a round of golf on some of the best courses in the West, hiking, and mountain biking.

There are plenty of golf courses to entertain your clients. Excepting the rainy season in February and March, you can make your tee reservations months in advance, secure in the knowledge that the sun will be shining on your chosen day. However, if it's raining in Silicon Valley, then it must be time to pack your car and head for your winter retreat in the Sierra Mountains, where Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood, Squaw, and Heavenly Valley, to name a few, feature skiing at Lake Tahoe.

Silicon Valley also has the highest concentration of triathletes in the world. If the triathlete bug grips you, make sure that you sign up for the Escape from Alcatraz, a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz, followed by an 18-mile bike ride and an 8-mile grueling run through the famous sand ladder at Baker Beach. The field has reached its capacity the past six years!

For something a little more pedestrian, try a hike on the ridge above Silicon Valley. In the boundaries of the Peninsula Open Space project, a collection of land donated since the turn of the century, is a ridge line stretching for nearly 30 miles, with hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. For the puckish, it might be time to stop in at Buck's Restaurant in Woodside, where many a start-up has been hatched (Netscape, for example), on your way up Woodside Road to Skyline Drive.

On the Peninsula, wine can be sipped less than an hour's travel away from San Jose, at the famed tasting rooms of the Bonny Doon Vineyard. After tasting this vintner's offerings, discover some of the best food on the West Coast, whether it's Emile's; La Foret in San Jose; the Palace BBQ, a landmark destination for aficionados of Korean cuisine; Manresa in Los Gatos; Marche in Menlo Park; Pisces in Burlingame; or Evvia, the quintessential taverna, located in Palo Alto. All in all, there isn't a better place to practice law and enjoy a rich quality of life than Silicon Valley.


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.