One of the issues with environmental law is there are not a lot of opportunities for attorneys. While this was a booming practice area in the 1980s and early 90s, the practice area has slowed considerably over the past decade. Attorneys with experience in environmental law can find opportunities if they look aggressively inside multiple markets. Here, this attorney was unable to relocate outside of where they were living because they had children in school and needed to be close to home.
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| Harrison Barnes |
While there were some opportunities for environmental attorneys, all of these opportunities were seeking attorneys that were much more junior than this attorney. Also, these opportunities were for plaintiff attorneys and not defense attorneys.
The only way I believed it was possible to find a position for this attorney was to go and review firms that had past openings and also to review firms with strong environmental practices. This enabled me to build a list of approximately 15 firms with whom I was able to contact and discuss this attorney’s qualifications. Soon, after, I had a list of three firms interested in meeting with my attorney— none of which had openings. In each case, these three law firms had a great deal of ongoing work, and in one case the firm was getting ready to start advertising and opening.
Before interviewing with these firms, we spent time studying the practices of each firm and how the attorney should position their experience. One of the issues was the attorney tended to do a lot of transactional related environmental work and the openings that I found were more litigation oriented in nature. Earlier in attorney’s career, they didn’t have significant litigation experience, and I had to coach the attorney on how to talk about this in their interviews.
The attorney found a position in under two months, and previous to this was in a very precarious situation because they were concerned about employment stability, and did not have much substantive work at their current firm. The attorney found a firm with lots of work at a salary that was acceptable to them in exchange for employment stability. I was very proud of this placement because I knew that without my involvement this attorney might have found themselves unemployed in a short time. Recruiters can make a huge difference when the use of research skills, contacts and an understanding of how to position a candidate correctly for potential openings. I was able to create opportunities for this candidate where there were none before my involvement.
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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.
