Senior Intellectual Property Litigator Laid Off from a Major Law Firm | BCGSearch.com

Senior Intellectual Property Litigator Laid Off from a Major Law Firm

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Attorneys frequently contact us when they fear they may lose their position within large law firms. In the case of intellectual property litigation, when cases settle or the market tends not to have much work for intellectual property litigators in many major markets, this tends to bring down the need for attorneys within this practice area. For several years, intellectual property litigation was an extremely active practice area but beginning in 2015 the market continued to slow for the next several years. Most adversely affected were senior intellectual property litigators who had formerly been part of large teams on cases and started losing their jobs when these cases settled. Much of this work is generated by patent trolls that sue large companies and when several decisions came down from the Supreme Court and also lower courts, many of these cases ended up going away.
Senior Intellectual Property Litigator Laid Off from a Major Law Firm

An attorney contacted us in the Bay Area of California who had been laid off from a major law firm when it slowed down. At the time the attorney was laid off, they allowed him to stay on the website for some time despite the attorney not working at the firm. Because the market for intellectual property litigators was very slow in large law firms, and there was not a need for senior intellectual property litigators, in particular, we investigated and looked for small law firms that would have a potential interest in the candidate. Looking for small law firms for candidates is often a sort of science. Many of these smaller law firms will not necessarily advertise their openings and will instead send out signals to the market— such as having various cases they are involved in covered by the media or growing at a rapid speed, which indicates the firm is going through a lot of activity.
 
A. Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes

During my work, I became aware of several boutiques that seem grew very quickly. There was no other explanation other than the fact the firm itself brings in a lot of IP litigation work. Several of these firms were recent spinoffs from larger law firms, which indicated that the odds are very good they have also taken some large cases with them. Also, these boutiques had attorneys with exceptional qualifications, and I was confident that they likely had a good amount of work.
   
With my candidate's authorization, I approached several of these boutiques and was able to interest a few into speaking with him. Despite a very slow market, the boutiques that did speak with him were very enthusiastic because to them the market did not seem slow. One of the boutiques offered him a position shortly after speaking with him, and he is now happily employed there.
 
This was a placement that I do not think most recruiters could’ve made and I also do not believe that the candidate could necessarily have found these opportunities on his own. Most recruiters will look at the large law firms— the firms that everybody has heard of— and try to develop relationships with them so that they can send their candidates to these firms first. The best recruiters will take the time to understand the market and opportunities that others may have missed. Most jobs are not advertised. For a good recruiter to find jobs, they need to be alert to what is going on in the market. In this case, I am one hundred percent confident that most large law firms would not have interest in this candidate because of his seniority. Nevertheless, I was able to create an opportunity for him and help a growing firm as well.


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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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