The candidate that I placed is exceptional under normal circumstances, even despite being a general litigator. She is Class of 2015, at a top Big Law firm in LA and has been with the firm since her 1L summer (she spent her 1L summer and her 2L summer at this firm!), has high-level, general complex and commercial litigation experience, went to a top five law school and a very prestigious undergraduate school as well, is diverse, is a woman and speaks Spanish at a professionally proficient level. Her resume literally glows with prestige. She also did a law school externship with the US Attorney's Office (a well-regarded externship for law school students), and has several top grades on her law school transcript. I think that the only negatives with this candidate were that she hasn't ever taken or defended a deposition, she wasn't top of her class in law school and received one lower grade (although, as mentioned, she did receive many high marks) and she is, of course, a mid-level to somewhat senior general litigator who was searching for a job during a pandemic. Unbeknownst to the firms that we applied her to, she was also being laid off by her Big Law firm, although they did say that they would give her at least six months to find another job. So this added a sense of urgency to her search.
What this candidate did right was that she allowed me to apply her to all kind of firms in the LA area and even in the OC as well, even though she really wanted to stay in LA. We applied her to Big Law firms, mid-sized firms and boutiques, even more specialized boutiques that did real estate and labor & employment. We cast a very wide net. What she told me was that she either wanted to go to another Big Law firm that paid market or close to market, or a boutique where she could get a lot more substantive, hands-on pre-litigation experience. In a sense, she was looking for the unicorn opportunity with regard to boutiques - she wanted a place with a good work life balance and low billables requirement but that also paid market or close to market. Of course, these opportunities don't really exist. If a boutique pays market or close to market, they will expect you to work hard and bill a lot. If the hours are more reasonable and there is a good work life balance, of course the boutique will pay nowhere near market.
We ended up getting her a few interviews, all at litigation boutiques. Two of the firms were not actively hiring at the moment, but wanted me to keep them in the loop, and check-in with them in a month or two to see what their needs looked like then. The third boutique, the one that ended up hiring her, did have an active need, and the process moved very quickly with them, because they liked my candidate so much. After just one Zoom interview with the two lead partners, my candidate was extended an offer that very same day. The firm wanted an answer within 24 hours, but I convinced them to give her four days, and then I actually got her another one week extension, while she was interviewing with a mid-sized firm that paid close to market. Normally, a firm would not agree to an extension, let alone two extensions on an offer! But the firm loved her so much and were so eager to have her join that they kept giving us extensions, and indeed even increased the base salary offered and decreased the billable hours requirement to make their offer more enticing! In the end, the mid-sized firm couldn't move fast enough for my candidate, and my candidate liked the attorneys at my boutique firm more. While this firm doesn't pay great, especially compared to what she makes now, it seems to be a tight-knit family where she will get great mentorship and a lot of the substantive pre-litigation experience that she's been looking for. This candidate is leaving her Big Law firm and starting at the boutique litigation firm in just a few short weeks, and while she is nervous for the change, she is also very excited. I am excited to hear about all of the cases she works on and all of the experience she gets at her new firm!
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.
