After speaking to him it was clear he was not marketable as a bankruptcy attorney considering that he had little to no experience in the field and that all of his prior experience was mostly working on civil litigation matters. He had also been unemployed since before COVID since he left his firm due to personal reasons. He had left his firm thinking that he would find another job easily, unaware that COVID was about to hit and that finding a job in the COVID economy would prove to be much harder than anyone had anticipated. I had several firms ask why he was unemployed before COVID hit and all I could say was that it was due to personal reasons but that this candidate was happy to share those reasons if they wanted to speak with him. This was an immediate red flag, despite the fact that my candidate's reasons for leaving his prior firm were all one hundred percent valid. Firms did not care what his reasons were and simply saw this as a sign to steer clear.
At first this attorney did not seem to be concerned that he was unemployed and always seemed incredibly calm when we spoke or communicated about job opportunities or lack thereof. Out of all my unemployed candidates he never expressed frustration by the lack of interest on behalf of firms or that, even after many months of working together, firms just did not seem to want to interview him. I never gave up on him and he never gave up on me.
The one thing this candidate had expressed to me on our first screening call was that he absolutely loved writing and that if this is all he could do for a living he would be content. What was more interesting was that he loved legal writing, which many attorneys I know struggle with, and that he loved appellate work precisely because it entailed copious amount of writing. All of this information I conveyed in a cover letter for this candidate. Moreover, this candidate was incredibly smart, had excellent grades and knew what he liked and disliked about being a practicing attorney.
We started working together in Mid-May and no firms wanted to interview him until finally one firm expressed interest at the end of December 2020. He interviewed with the firm the first week of January 2021 and was given an offer a week later without having to go through any second round interviews. The firm was a small personal injury firm but one of the best in Maryland. I was overjoyed for this candidate. Not only did I get him a job after being unemployed for over a year but they were paying him 20k more than his last job! This felt so good, I had really helped someone. Moreover I had helped someone that many recruiters wouldn't have worked with because he wouldn't have been considered marketable/placeable. And I had managed to get him a much higher salary. I was also really happy to get someone back to work. Having been out of work for a while myself at one point in my career, I know how important it is to get back to the workforce and how good it feels to work again.
The one thing that the recruiting coordinator at the firm pointed out was that one of the main reasons the firm had initially been interested in my candidate was because they liked that in my cover letter I emphasized his love of writing. The firm was looking precisely for someone with superior writing skills who enjoyed writing. Moreover the firm was looking for someone who would want eighty percent of their job to be writing with courtroom time to follow as they advanced at the firm. My candidate was an ideal fit.
A week after my candidate received his offer, another firm contacted me expressing interest in this same unemployed candidate. As the old adage goes, when it rains it pours. I couldn't believe that after over eight months of no interest, this candidate now had two firms vying for him. I quickly called my candidate to tell him the news before he accepted the first firm's offer since this second firm had a more general litigation practice and might potentially offer him an even higher salary. My candidate thanked me but told me, I really think this firm is a great fit for me, I want to give this job a good shot, I think I will be happy there. I couldn't have been happier with his response. He made me feel proud to be a recruiter. I had found him a firm where he could see himself be happy and succeed.
I learned a lot from this candidate. First, there is no such thing as an un-placeable candidate. Second, never give up on a candidate. Third, candidates who don't give up on me and show patience will be placed. Fourth, firms do read cover letters and they can be instrumental to getting a candidate an interview. And finally, just as every candidate is different, every firm is different and every firm's needs are different. What one firm may view as a weakness in a candidate may be another firm's most coveted trait in a candidate.
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.
