It is rare once an attorney leaves the practice of law for them to return to law, particularly within an established law firm. This is especially true when an attorney has worked in a demanding market. Attorneys that have worked in very demanding markets typically do not have interest in returning to the practice of law after they receive a taste of what it is like to not work in a major law firm for an extended period of time. They realize there are other things to life than working long hours in an office, and with that, their values often quickly change. This is one reason why many attorneys learned early in their career that a person can never not be practicing for too long of a time if they want to stay in the game. Law firms, for their part, are also aware that once an attorney has not been working in a law firm for an extended period of time they are unlikely to be very enthusiastic about returning and, when they do often do not fit well within a law firm or the law practice in general. The attorneys that do go back to practicing law after having taken time off will frequently leave the law firms they join after a short period of time.
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In the case of this attorney, I explained to them that returning to the practice of law would be quite difficult because of the time off that had. I further explained that their odds of returning to a large law firm and earning a big firm salary were also something that was going to be difficult. The attorney had so much down time; the odds of a law firm taking their return to a law seriously were quite slim. It is one thing if someone has taken time off to have children, even though that can be difficult. It is another thing when the attorney has simply left because they did not appreciate the long hours and stress associated with their practice.
In the case of this attorney, things were a bit different. This attorney was so good at their job that the law firm literally overwhelmed them with work to the point of spending 70+ hours in the office week after week, year after year. The attorney at one point worked so hard that one of their blood vessels in their eyes exploded. When this attorney went to the emergency room, another attorney that they worked with called the attorney’s emergency contact— who happened to be their parents— and told them that if the attorney did not come back into the office, they risked losing their job. Large law firms can be brutal places and this was one of the more brutal stories that I’ve heard in my career.
Because the attorney was in a nationwide search, the last place in the world that I thought they would be able to get an interview was with a good law firm in California. California is a very difficult market for attorneys to lateral into because all attorneys need to take the bar exam before they come to California and it is difficult to get positions when an outside attorney is competing with local attorneys. Here, I was working with a firm where I held an exclusive search agreement. Additionally, the law firm did not advertise their open position, which gave me an advantage of knowing the types of candidates that would be attractive to this firm. Just as advantageous was the firm’s hiring attorney who listened to my recommendation of who they should hire.
I made a strong case that this attorney would be an excellent hire. First, the attorney had an excellent background and a lot of the reason for their absence was due to the fact that they were so good at their work. Second, I felt that the time off the attorney took was something that was more likely to be beneficial to the law firm than not. The attorney actually wanted to go back in to practicing law and was newly committed where attorneys from other sorts of backgrounds might not be. When I spoke with the attorney about my candidate, I was able to make a very clear case that under no circumstance should the attorney not hire this particular candidate.
The attorney met with the firm and did very well in their interviews. The law firm was very enthusiastic about the attorney and the attorney was likewise quite enthusiastic. Shortly after the meeting, the law firm extended the attorney an offer and the placement ended up going through. After the attorney had been at the law firm for a few months, they took and passed the California bar. This attorney was able to get an excellent position due to their ability to be geographically flexible, my development of a good rapport with the hiring attorney, and my advocacy on the attorney’s behalf due to their being quite extraordinary.
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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.
