How Important is it To Have Local Ties to an Area When You Are an Attorney Applying There?

Question: I have heard that for certain markets, firms won’t even consider me if I don’t have “local ties” – is this actually true?
 

Answer: As any practicing attorney knows, the real answer is “it depends.” Which it does. But the answer for particular markets has markedly changed within the past decade. Specifically, two of the major markets that I cover, and a region where I grew up and went to college (Portland and Seattle), used to be very, very difficult to break into if you weren’t a long time local or had local family ties.

It wasn’t anything against you as a candidate particularly. It was just that they were smaller markets that paid quite a bit less than their major market counterparts (even today, the Seattle market top salaries are, on average, about 20-30% lower than the other major West Coast markets like San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, and Portland is typically about 10-15% below Seattle). Many candidates state at the outset that they are willing to take a lower salary to be in these locations, and then change their mind a year or two down the road and headed back to the major markets, leaving firms with a new hiring need all over again.


It wasn’t anything against you as a candidate particularly. It was just that certain smaller markets where the weather eventually took a toll (my first year of college in the greater Seattle area, there were over 100 days of precipitation in a row), firms would find otherwise “committed” candidates looking to relocate back to bigger cities and/or warmer climes.

It has long been the case that smaller markets are a little bit wary, or have a little bit of a proverbial chip on their shoulder, when it comes to candidates relocating from larger markets, or candidates with top law school credentials that might get future interest from large firms in other markets. It’s because they used to get burned, and any kind of turnover incurs no small amount of time, money, and effort in finding a replacement attorney to fill the role that the firm’s clients require.

All of that being said, there has been a fairly dramatic shift in many markets within the past couple years, and I have personally seen a fairly dramatic shift in the Pacific Northwest markets to the extent that personal and family ties can be a deal breaker for interview and hiring decisions. Firms do still care about whether candidates have personal and/or family ties to the region, or at least whether candidates have familiarity and experience with the weather in the “tough” parts of the year. But compared to when Seattle and Portland were not as trendy and popular as they are now, it used to be the case that you would really have to sell your connections to and desire to live in those cities due to firms worrying about long-term retention. Now, Seattle and Portland have joined the ranks of other West Coast cities where the desirability of living there is generally assumed.

Seattle has seen its housing prices increase faster than any other city in the country for a near-record number of consecutive months, in the entire history of tracking U.S. housing prices. Portland also continues to grow and expand at a rapid pace. Firms are still concerned with whether a particular candidate is likely to stick around (that’s simply business, and something all firms do as a part of their interview and screening process), but that is more specific to the candidate’s personality and ability to sell their own commitment, and less of a blanket screening mechanism based on a candidate’s ability to demonstrate long time local or family ties.

So the answer is generally still “it depends,” but it is nice to be able to somewhat retire the myth that you won’t get any consideration in smaller West Coast markets if you do not have local ties, or a very solid argument as to why you want to be in a particular city for the long term. If you are a candidate with strong credentials who has always thought about the possibility of relocating to the Pacific Northwest, or to any West Coast destination, please feel free to reach out to me to discuss.

See the following articles for more information:
 

• Should I Lateral to a Secondary Market? 5 Factors to Help You Decide
• Top 10 Reasons Attorneys Should Look at Multiple Markets in Their Job Search
• Why Relocating to a Different Market Is the Greatest (But Little Known) Way for a Law Firm Attorney to Get Ahead in the Legal Profession
• Why Every Attorney Should Look at Multiple Legal Markets When Doing a Job Search
• What’s the Best Way to Convince a Firm That I Am Serious about My Geographic Move?
• How Do I Get a Job in a City Where I Have No Local Connections?
• Breaking Into a Smaller Market
• Is It Important to Have Ties to the Region?
• Litigator from Boston With Roots in San Francisco Wants to Move Back Home
• Job-Search Tips for Out-of-Town Candidates

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.