Attorney Working in an Accounting Firm in the Midwest Who Wants to Work in a Law Firm | BCGSearch.com

Attorney Working in an Accounting Firm in the Midwest Who Wants to Work in a Law Firm

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I was contacted by an attorney who worked for a major accounting firm. This attorney was interested in working for a law firm. The problem with placing attorneys from accounting firms into law firms is that law firms are often interested only in attorneys coming directly from law firms. There is a perception that if an attorney works inside an accounting firm they must not have the qualifications to get a position inside a law firm once they graduated law school. While this is not always the case, the compensation within accounting firms is often 50% less than what attorneys make inside major law firms. In the case of this candidate, they had excellent experience in a niche area of taxation law and also had attended a good law school and college. I believed there was a strong chance a major law firm would be interested in them.
Attorney Working in an Accounting Firm in the Midwest Who Wants to Work in a Law Firm

 The attorney decided they would look at law firms all over the United States. We contacted firms with openings in this attorney’s niche practice area from around the country and were able to get a few law firms interested. The attorney interviewed well and was very serious about their career in the law firms with whom they spoke. Ultimately, the attorney was extended an offer by a top national firm in the Midwest. The attorney was very surprised that they were able to get an offer with such a great firm since they never saw their legal peers in the accounting office transition into a major law firm.
 
A. Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes

Taxation is a difficult practice area to place attorneys. There are not a lot of openings for tax lawyers in law firms, and tax lawyers often support corporate attorneys and not the other way around. Because there is also not as much tax work in law firms as there is corporate, real estate and other types of work— law firms are very slow to hire tax attorneys as well. There are also a great number of attorneys that come out of LLM programs and taxation at New York University Law School, the University of Florida Law School, Georgetown and other schools which creates a large supply of tax attorneys for very few jobs. Due to this overabundance of tax attorneys, most of them work in accounting firms as opposed to law firms.
 
I have had a lot of success placing tax attorneys from law firms; however, in most cases, these attorneys were in niche practice areas such as international tax, employee benefits and similar areas. Also, when a tax attorney is open to relocating to other areas of the country they are often able to find positions where they might not have otherwise while also staying in their home market.


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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.
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