Timing Your Move in 2014

In the recruiting world, it pays to keep track of trends in the market, both in terms of when law firms are most actively hiring, and also when lateral candidates are most likely to be looking to make a move.

In many past years, on both the law firm and candidate side, a traditionally slower holiday season has been followed by a marked uptick in the month of January.


For law firms, this is usually because they have recently completed their year-end/ projected next-year budgets, and discussed the direction of the firm at the annual partner retreats that occur near the end of each calendar year. With a business plan for the year and a new hiring budget in hand, firms often tend to make a push to fill openings and get ahead of their anticipated client needs.

For lateral attorney candidates, it’s no small coincidence that movement is slow during the holidays, and picks up rapidly in January because, surprise, annual reviews have occurred and bonuses have been distributed. If your lateral move is opportunistic, and not premised on an immediate need such as a change in city because a spouse or partner obtained a new job, it is certainly prudent to wait out the end of the year and collect your bonus check that you worked so hard for before moving on to the next opportunity.

This year, however, January has not seen the same increase in either job listings or lateral movement. There is still activity, to be sure, but we are starting to see firms become more conservative in their future projections and hiring at the beginning of each calendar year. Rather than immediately ramping up on hiring to get ahead of the curve, in the wake of the economic downturn, many firms have shifted to only looking to hire when there is an immediate and specific client-driven need, regardless of the time of year.

Similarly, many firms have begun to stagger their reviews and bonuses well beyond January, and so there is less immediate movement on the candidate side, because nobody wants to leave thousands, or perhaps tens of thousands, of dollars on the table in a lateral move.

While on the face of it, this may dissuade potential candidates from looking to move early in 2014, I highly suggest taking the opposite approach. If you get your materials in the door early, you will get the first look, and perhaps even a jump on a growing demand within a firm that has not yet gotten around to posting a formal opening. Even if a firm tells you they do not have a position open matching your skill set, you will get your resume on file and be able to do a quick follow-up in the event a formal opening does come online. Persistence is key in a market as competitive as the one we find ourselves in right now.

Additionally, if you are planning on making a move but want to wait out for your annual bonus, you should still get started on the search and submission process a few months earlier than you anticipate wanting to make your actual move. As I have discussed in other articles, the interview and hiring process continues to become more protracted as most firms increasingly exercise caution in their lateral hiring and expansion plans (there are some exceptions of firms who are making aggressive moves, which we think will position them well competitively as the overall economy comes back online). Thus, even if you are looking to move towards the summer months, it would behoove you to start gathering your materials together and speaking with a good recruiter now so that you can immediately jump on open opportunities well in advance of your actual move. With limited opportunities and fierce competition, you have to adapt your timing to the market, not the other way around.

If you are thinking of making a move any time in 2014, get in touch with a recruiter now. It will put you ahead of the game.


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.