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
Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.
With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.
Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.
Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.
One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.
One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.
Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.
Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.
In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.
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.
