It can thus be challenging to help very entrepreneurial junior and mid-level candidates find a home in a firm. Attorneys who are already out there signing up clients - as this candidate was - do not necessarily see the benefit in joining a firm where they will not call the shots. This is especially the case when the attorney is operating a "solo" practice, as was the case here. But there is much to be gained by building up your skill set within an established institution, especially if you are still on the younger end of your career spectrum, even if it means sacrificing autonomy for the short-term, and spending less time networking and more time churning out deals for more senior attorneys.
I worked with this candidate for over a year. We began our work when he was at a regional West Coast firm handling real estate deals in a niche area. He did not have the strongest grades, but he had a solid work history with a solid firm and an impressive deal sheet. I always like to see deal sheets because they help me understand the nitty-gritty of the work my candidate has done. It takes time to put together a deal sheet and I appreciate it when someone puts in that effort. A detailed and robust deal sheet lets me know that an attorney cares about his or her career and takes pride of ownership of his or her profession.
This candidate liked his current firm and was doing well there. He had also gotten great experience. The problem was that his firm only worked on a certain type of real estate transaction and he wanted to do other kinds of real estate deals. There was no room to grow at that firm because the firm was never going to do that other kind of work, at least not in the foreseeable future.
We got some interest in his applications, but because he was trying to make a switch - even though it was from one specialty to another within the same practice area of real estate - we were not able to get an offer. We put his search on hold for several months and when I checked back in I learned that he had left his firm and gone "solo." Whether or not that was a wise move for a mid-level attorney to make, he was succeeding at it. He was bringing in clients and making over $100,000 a year at it! Still, the idea of a firm continued to interest him and he was open to resuming the search, so we continued. I respected that he was able to support himself practicing law on his own, and was brave enough to try, but I was concerned that if he did not learn other skills by more experienced practitioners who worked on bigger deals that his solo career would reach a ceiling and this would impede his potential in the long-run.
From a legal placement perspective, things were even more difficult now, because he had left his firm and started his own firm, which is something firms are very wary of. This is because they feel that once you have left the firm life you will not be motivated to return to it. But I had come to really like this candidate, including his gumption, and I wanted to help him.
It was a good thing we did not give up, because this time around we were successful. We found a firm that saw his value, as reflected in the substance of the work he had produced at his prior firm before he left as well as his ability to get out into the world and sign up clients. There was no guarantee that he would be able to keep all of his clients - but the firm agreed to review them and try to keep the ones that worked with the firm's practice. My candidate realized that he had a whole career ahead of him, and there was lots of rainmaking in his future, and that he would be even more valuable to his clients and as a member of the profession if he joined a team and built up his skills by continuing to work on sophisticated real estate deals in a firm environment. It took a while to get this attorney and the firm on the "same page" but in the end the attorney accepted the position. Sometimes you can go further with the support of a team behind you!
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.
