The candidate that I just recently placed probably would have gotten a lot more traction had it not been for the slow market and in particular the slow real estate transactional and finance legal hiring market. In terms of her background, she went to a well-respected undergraduate college, a strong law school in San Diego, was at the top of her class in law school, clerked for a state supreme court after law school, has worked at three top, national, multi-office firms in both real estate finance and real estate transactional (in both Denver and Southern California) and recently joined an elite real estate boutique in LA, only three months ago. I actually placed this candidate at her last Big Law firm, a well-regarded Am Law 100 firm in the OC with a very prestigious and well-regarded real estate department. While she loved her time there and was there for a year and a half, another Recruiter presented her with the opportunity at her current boutique, and it seemed like an amazing one. Her base was high, and the billable hour requirement was supposedly 1400 hours, with most attorneys there billing between 1400 and 1600 hours. I remember that she told me about the opportunity and offer at the time that it was presented to her, and I thought that it sounded like it was too good to be true. Well, it was! Apparently one of the main partners at her current boutique is toxic and a monster, and she had physically ill for months with stress. She came back to me because she was desperate to get out, and was open to both Big Law firms and boutiques this time.
Now, this candidate is exceptional in a lot of ways. But, she is Class of 2013, started practicing at a firm post-clerkship in the fall of 2014, and has been at four firms in six years. This is quite a lot, and I would qualify this candidate as a firm hopper. Even worse, she had only been at her current firm for three months. This, of course, raises a lot of red flags to any potential employer, and especially a potential law firm employer, as these employers tend to be even more careful, cautious and rigid than other types of employers. However, what really saved this candidate was her top grades in law school, the caliber of the firms that she has worked at and the fact that real estate transactional and real estate finance is a niche practice area, and it is difficult to find candidates with high-level, sophisticated experience in this practice area, especially mid-levels like this candidate. Most of this candidate's peers have probably gone in-house by now, and would not be looking to transition to another firm.
This time around, I submitted this candidate to only 15 firms in Southern California, Big Law and boutique alike, many of them opportunistically as only a few firms had openings. Out of these 15 firms, one mid-sized San Diego firm expressed interest, but did not proceed to hire, and one real estate boutique asked to interview her. This latter firm went through several rounds with her, all over Zoom, and the process took about three to four weeks from start to finish (quite a long time), but everyone at the firm loved her and her experience. Fortunately for us, the head partners of the firm had heard about how toxic my candidate's current firm is, and so it did not raise a red flag to them that she was looking to move after just three months (phewph!).
The firm ended up extending my candidate an offer, and instead of 1400-1600 hours, she will be billing 1800, which is still low. Her base will be lower than her base is currently, but the firm still gave her a solid offer, and she accepted almost immediately. She is thrilled to escape from her current toxic firm, and this firm is thrilled that she is joining the team. It is a perfect match on both sides, and I couldn't be happier for the candidate or my firm client!
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.
