In terms of the candidate's background, he attended a Top 50 law school, did decently well there (3.4 GPA), was the editor-in-chief of the main law review at his law school (firms really like to see law review on a candidate's resume), attended a strong undergraduate school, did well there (3.7 GPA), received university and department honors, and is licensed in both California (where he wanted to apply) and Delaware (where he was currently located and practicing). What made this candidate a bit clunky was his experience. On the very positive side, he had been at one mid-sized Delaware firm since his graduation from law school in 2016, showing a strong commitment to his firm and an ability to excel and succeed at a firm long-term (three years at one firm is a long time). On the not so positive side, his experience was in fund formation and M&A for Delaware boards of directors, but mainly in fund formation, and a bit of his practice even included real estate transactional. Fund formation is a strong practice area on the East Coast, but it is less in demand on the West Coast, and his experience was very Delaware corporation and board of director-specific. I knew that this would be the biggest hurdle that we'd have to surmount (apart from his law school, which is not very well-known, and the fact that he wasn't top in his class there).
This candidate actually reached out to me on LinkedIn at the end of December, during the holidays, and expressed an interest in working with me and in relocating to California, specifically to the Bay Area / Silicon Valley. His wife was exploring job opportunities in Silicon Valley, they both had a lot of friends and connections in the Bay Area and his wife's family was located in Southern California. In all honesty, these are not very strong ties to California. California likes to see family in California for candidates who are trying to relocate from across the country. The candidate's wife did have family in Southern California, but he and his wife were mainly interested in Silicon Valley, for some reason, and they really didn't have strong ties there. However, this candidate was already licensed to practice law in California, so this helped him a lot, I think. Also, a lot of strong Bay Area-focused candidates are not interested in Silicon Valley (only in SF), so I think that this also helped him.
We applied him to mainly mid-sized and Big Law firms throughout California. He was most interested in larger firms, and truth be told, I've found that smaller firms are less interested in candidates that are relocating cross-country, as smaller firms are likelier to have more urgent / active needs, and are less likely to be willing to foot the bill for the candidate to fly out and interview with the firm.
Interestingly, we got mostly crickets or passes from firms, most of which were not interested in his candidacy. But low and behold, one of the best Am Law 100 firms in California and nationwide reached out wanting to schedule a screener interview with him. This firm was and is very actively trying to grow their Silicon Valley office, and are trying to add several Corporate associates there. They were looking for a Private Equity associate with M&A experience. My candidate does have M&E experience, but as mentioned before, he was and is mainly a fund formation associate. So I thought that it was unlikely that such a strong firm would end up hiring him.
However, the firm really liked the candidate, he interviewed well and clearly they thought that there was enough overlap between his experience and what they were looking for that they were willing to train him. He ended up being offered as a Class of 2017 Associate, so he had to take a class year cut, but he was happy to do this, as the firm is so prestigious and he realized that his experience wasn't a perfect fit / he would indeed need training.
From the time that this candidate reached out to me on LinkedIn to the time that I placed him, only about two months passed. This was a very quick Big Law and especially relocation placement, as these sorts of placements often can take about six months or more. So, I feel that this candidate was very lucky to get such quick traction with such an amazing firm, and I think that he feels the same way too! I really couldn't be happier for him, and I know that he will excel at the Am Law 100 firm in Silicon Valley at which he landed.
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.
