So the really best way of doing it is I also like using Google to find information. That can work very well, as well. Do a search for law firms in your practice area in the location you want to work in. A lot of times that will present you with information that you'll not find on any directories. I'm very impressed with Google's ability to do that. That's certainly a good way to do it. At BCG, we list top law firms in different practice areas. So you can use that.
There's another source called Chambers, which has different law firms in different states. It's Chambers, USA. I believe they list information of firms in different practice areas. Then there's also US News and World Report. But what I would encourage you to do is spend more time on Google and more time on places where the information is free because you're going to get access to more information that other people aren't finding.
An example would be the Vault list of firms. Vault is a great source for firms, but that's only going to show you very few firms. You're not going to really find as many firms as you normally would if you use paid sources. But everybody can use paid sources. For example, everybody knows about NALP. NALP is a good source, and they have a lot of firms. But it costs a lot of money to list a firm on NALP, and so you need to find places that aren't necessarily listed in those organizations. There is another way to find attorneys. Just use State Bar directories.
A lot of times, these directories break down people by practice area. You can find a list of all of the state bars on our website. There are local bars, and there are also bars for different practice areas.
2. Is there a service that can mail your resume on your behalf?
Yes. There's service called Legal Authority that can do that. That's one of our services, but at the same time, the work that Legal Authority does, you can do yourself. You don't necessarily need to use a service like Legal Authority. But it can help you do it for you. So Legal Authority is a good service for that, and you'll find it at legalauthority.com. You can also create lists yourself. By the way, when you create your own list, it's a good thing because you may find you can also email the alumni at your law school. You can find if there's something that a firm does you think is particularly attractive.
You can mail them, and you may know someone at the firm, or there are all sorts of things. The more you kind of investigate a firm, the better it is. People love to get personalized application material. So Legal Authority will send application materials for you, but they won't be that personalized. You can do it yourself, and people love receiving personalized application materials. If you can do personalized application materials, that's going to make a huge difference. If you're able to do that, whatever you can do to send personalized application materials should help. Personalized means you give reasons that show you're interested in the exact firm or something along those lines.
3. If you don't hear back when you send your application materials, what should you do? How should you follow up? And what's the best way to follow up?
Well, the best way to make sure the firm gets your application materials is not to email them. Also, don’t apply through the law firm or the employer's online system. I mean, you certainly can. But the best way to make sure is you mail your stock because mailing gets approved. Then the other thing you can do is you can just apply again, sometimes. But you don't want to be pushy with firms. A lot of times if you're pushy, firms won't like you. But being pushy can sometimes work for you.
4. If you decide to email a resume or a cover letter, should you also send a writing sample?
Law firms will ask for a writing sample later if they want.
Typically, you want to send less because if you send more, it will give an opportunity for you sometimes to potentially screw up. So you don't want to screw up by sending something that they may not like. I actually don't mind sending writing samples. I think it can be a good idea to send writing samples.
But at the same time, since it shows a lot of enthusiasm, if you send a writing sample, it should be something that you're 100 percent sure is very good. There are all sorts of rules for writing samples, such as making sure that the formatting is right. And you don't want to send things you worked on that are not public memos.
5. Do you have a template of what a letter to a firm could say?
Yes. You'll find it on our website. Please visit our cover letters section.
A cover letter does not need to say a lot. Sometimes, a short letter actually gets more attention than a longer one. The idea is, when you're young especially or older, a lot of people give too much importance to the things that they've done. But you don't always need to go into a lot of detail.
So I think I will try to talk a little bit about that for you guys next week. So if no one has any more questions, I think that's probably it. I'm sorry there were some issues with the PowerPoint when we got started. We are planning to do also a resume and cover letter workshop in the next week or so. So we'll send the dates and times for that. I'm sure that would be helpful for a lot of people. And if people want as well, I'm happy personally to look at everyone's resume. And I will record if you don't want to do it publicly. I can record short little discussions about what I think you should do to improve your resume.
So after the call, we'll send out an email to everyone about what to do with a resume. And then if anybody would like any personalized help with their resume and cover letter, we can arrange some calls for that too. So, I will have some information set out about that after this meeting. And I certainly appreciate everybody being on the call and a member, and we have a lot of exciting stuff coming up in the next several weeks. But I think that's it for today. What we covered is very important, and I'm encouraged by the questions. Especially the one on looking for places to send. So that's good. Thank 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.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
