In terms of the candidate's background, she is admittedly a bit of an odd placement for the Seattle market. Seattle is one of those markets that really wants to see strong connections to it (Portland is very similar), ideally family members who live there. Because cities like Seattle and Portland have recently become so trendy and popular, I think that Seattle (and Portland) firms worry that a candidate will relocate for the job, and then move again in a year or two. Of course, firms want to hire and invest in an attorney that is planning to and will likely stay in the city and at the firm longterm. In contract, this candidate's only connection to Seattle is that her partner's close friend lives there - neither she nor her partner has any family or other connections to the city. However, what really helped this candidate is that she is fully licensed to practice in Washington State. I've noticed that Seattle firms will almost certainly not hire a general litigator like this candidate unless they are already licensed to practice in Washington State. I have a lot of candidates tell me that they are easily able to waive into the Washington State bar, but this is not enough for a lot of firms, as the process of waiving in can take up to six months, and especially in the case of litigators, firms want someone who is already licensed to practice. The story is different for candidates from niche practice areas such as tax and trusts & estates, which often don't require that the candidate already be licensed in Washington State. A strong candidate with years of experience in a niche practice area will likely still be marketable in Seattle (and other small markets), as these candidates are hard to find, especially in smaller markets.
Regarding the candidate's background, she currently practices in a small city in the Midwest, has been at one, 15-person boutique since her graduation from law school, attended a local law school that is not particularly well-ranked and did about average there. Her current practice centers around appellate practice, tort defense, UM/UIM claims, first and third-party coverage claims, bad faith defense, premises liability, product liability, and civil rights defense, although she does do some general commercial litigation as well (interestingly enough, even though I didn't place her at an insurance coverage firm, insurance coverage is a robust practice area in Seattle. I often see openings at boutique insurance coverage firms in Seattle for insurance coverage Associates). Her strengths, however, are that she has been at one firm since Fall 2016, was on her school's Law Review and participated in Moot Court and Mock Trial and is a Super Lawyer in her state. She also coaches her law school's mock trial team and has great pre-litigation experience (everything up until trial). I also think that she comes off very well in interviews.
We submitted this candidate to 15 firms over the course of about a month, and she was interviewed by two. One was a local litigation boutique that really liked her, but wanted someone with several more years of experience than she has. The other is the firm that hired her - a high-level, plaintiffside, personal injury, class action and sexual abuse boutique in Seattle. They conducted two interviews with her and gave her an offer shortly after the second interview. The base offer is very competitive for a firm of this size and practice in Seattle, and is significantly more than what she makes now. The bonus structure of the firm is also generous. The candidate was very excited to receive the offer, and accepted the next day. She and her partner are very excited to be relocating from the Midwest to Seattle, and she is ecstatic to be starting at the firm soon!
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.
