Senior Patent Attorney in a Mountain State Losing His Position and Looking for a New One | BCGSearch.com

Senior Patent Attorney in a Mountain State Losing His Position and Looking for a New One

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I was approached by a senior patent attorney in his late 60s who was losing his position in the office of a major national law firm in a Mountain State. The attorney had been an engineer for over two decades before attending law school. The attorney was very surprised to have lost their position and was told that the law firm they were working for was phasing out patent prosecution.
Senior Patent Attorney in a Mountain State Losing His Position and Looking for a New One

When I first spoke to the attorney, they were very negative about having had lost their job and believed they would likely be out of work for the rest of their career. They were also negative about working in law firms because of the experience they had when their previous law firm phased out patent prosecution.
 
A. Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes

The attorney held experience in a hard science discipline and had been doing the same work for over 40 years. In fact, this was such a niche skill that I knew that if I was able to find a firm that did this sort of work that the attorney would likely be able to find a position.
   
One of the benefits that we offer our candidates at BCG Attorney Search is that we maintain a database that contains every position we have come across. In this case, I did a keyword search for the type of electrical component that this attorney used to work on and found a few firms that did this sort of work. One of the firms was in a southern state that the attorney had never visited. The attorney authorized me to contact several firms on his behalf and, to his surprise, the firms that had a strong practice area dealing with the electronic circuits he did were interested in.
 
The attorney received two offers and ended up taking one in a smaller market in the South. He was very surprised that we were able to find this firm for him and stated that “the firm fit him like a glove.” I was very happy that I was able to find such a great opportunity for the attorney. The nice thing about the firm that hired the attorney was that they were an intellectual property boutique and did not have any interest in getting away from patent prosecution. The attorney also found a nice market where they were comfortable and enjoyed living.
 
Patent prosecution is an interesting practice area the place attorneys in. What makes patent prosecution unusual, is that it is such a fluid market and so unpredictable. For example, many large law firms are getting out of patent prosecution because the work becomes commoditized and many clients will not pay hourly rates and expect the work to be done at a flat rate. Conversely, the same law firms prefer to do patent-related litigation where they can bill high hourly rates for an extended period. Many smaller law firms end up doing a lot of patent prosecution because large law firms are no longer interested in it. It used to be that attorneys from small intellectual property boutique are all wanted to move to larger firms, but now the opposite is often true, and the opportunities are in smaller firms, not larger ones. That certainly was the case here.


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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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