BCG Attorney Search is the Exclusive Agent for All Candidates Submitted to Your Firm | BCGSearch.com

BCG Attorney Search is the Exclusive Agent for All Candidates Submitted to Your Firm

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When candidates have BCG Attorney Search approach your firm about employment opportunities, BCG provides you with each candidate's information, and our standard attorney placement terms and conditions.
BCG Attorney Search is the Exclusive Agent for All Candidates Submitted to Your Firm

We are the exclusive agents for these candidates.

These candidates have all (1) approved in writing represented by us to your firm specifically, (2) acknowledged they have not applied through other means, either independently or through another firm, and, if they have, (4) have agreed we are their only agent, and (5) agreed to tell us if you contact them through other means.



We ask that you refrain from independently contacting these candidates as it would breach our contractual relationships with them and violate our legal rights. If you have previously hired any of these candidates without informing us, please let us know as soon as possible.
 
  • The fact that you already know any of these candidates does not change the fact we are their agents. You may know the seller of a house but will contact their agent if you want to purchase it. A professional athlete may know a player on another team, but the team will still use their agent if they're going to speak with them about changing teams. 
  • The fact that they may have applied to work with you in the past does not change the fact we are now their agent. Just because someone spoke with you in the past, or you know them, does not mean they are not entitled to use us for their search. They may look at many firms and have agreed that all contact must be through us. This protects their ability to have us negotiate for and represent them and their interests. 
  • That they may have inadvertently applied after we submitted them does not change that we are their agent. We represent candidates if they are still in their account with us. They also agree to inform us if an employer asks them to remove an account. 
  • The fact that a recruiter you know submitted them after we did does not change the fact we are their agent. Recruiters inside of firms have friends that are recruiters outside of firms. We are the candidate's agent, and they have warranted they are only authorizing us to contact you. Any previous or subsequent contact is void if they come through us or if someone is lying. 
  • We have been hired to represent the candidate, and they have an agent. The fact that you did not review our introduction and hired them later remains the fact we are their agent. If you hire them without reviewing anything, we are still their agent. 
  • The fact that the submission was "unsolicited" does not change the fact we are their agent. Most law firms are good fits for different types of candidates in various specialties. There is no other way to find fits than through such submissions. Over 85% of the firms that hire our candidates have no openings. This is how the business works. 
  • The fact that you did not have a job opening does not change the fact we are their agent. 
  • The fact you do not usually use recruiters does not change the fact we are their agents. This does not change the fact the candidate is coming with an agent. 
  • The fact that we do not have a "formal" or updated agreement does not change this agency relationship. As discussed below, a long body of law supports placement fees without formal contracts regardless of a formal agreement. The terms of all placements with firms have been the same at 25% of the attorney's annual salary for over 50+ years in the legal industry. 
  • Requesting candidates terminate their relationship with BCG Attorney Search so you can contact them independently will not change the fact that BCG is the procuring cause of your firm hiring this candidate and their agent. Doing this interferes with our relationship with our candidates and is actionable.

Under contract law, any party that is unjustly enriched at the expense of another is required to make restitution, meaning that if you hire a BCG candidate without notifying us, we are entitled to recover our fees. Asking candidates to lie about their hiring process is also actionable.

Additionally, interfering with our agreements with our candidates interferes with the prospective economic advantage we would have from placing them at another firm.
 

The Concept of Agency in the Legal Placement Industry Applies to Our Relationship with These Candidates


As in every industry—law, business, entertainment, sports, real estate, and more—we are agents for attorneys who engage us to find jobs. Just as you would not think of contacting the owner of a home or office building directly and cutting out the real estate agent, we are entitled legally to the same courtesy. This courtesy is extended to agents in most industries and applies here. All professional athletes, entertainers, musicians, union members, and others have agents. Attorneys are entitled to and have the same. A sports team would not consider contacting an athlete without going through their agent, and our candidates are entitled to the same courtesy.
 

Payment for Introduction and Recruitment Efforts


While we state our fees in our submissions, every attorney and law firm knows they are paid by law firms and what they are. For the past 50+ years, the standard fee paid by law firms that hire candidates recommended by a placement firm has been 25%. It has always been the same, and in the 25+ years we have been in business, the only law firms that have asked about our fees are typically solo practitioners or small rural law firms of a few attorneys.
 

Our Livelihood and Ability to Help Attorneys

 

Depend on Fair Dealing


We have over 200 employees responsible for finding attorneys and matching them with firms like yours. It costs BCG tens of millions annually to attract, service, and place attorneys.
 
  • When law firms contact and hire attorneys without paying us damages our company and employees provide firms with free economic benefits. We are not compensated for the cost of attracting candidates, our staff, our infrastructure, our advertising, nurturing the candidate, researching jobs, researching firms, or promoting your firm instead of other alternatives. In contrast, you hire our candidates and can put them to work, earning you money immediately. That is not fair to us. 
  • It also interferes with our candidate relationships and ability to place them with firms that play fairly and do not break the rules. Furthermore, this breaches our contractual relationships with our candidates. When you hire candidates without letting us know, we lose money we would make from placing the candidate somewhere else. Our investment in time and resources in attracting, nurturing, and researching the market for that candidate needs to be recouped. This also undermines our contractual relationship with our candidates.

We always find out when this occurs. If not resolved, it invariably leads to time-consuming litigation, resulting in us getting a judgment and payment. If you are curious about how the law protects agents like BCG Attorney Search, you can review it here: https://www.bcgsearch.com/ fairdealing.html

Any independent contact with these candidates for employment keeps our contractual relationship with them and the standard terms that govern this industry and agency relationships.
 

BCG Attorney Search Offers

 

Profound Levels of Help to Its Client Firms


Over 50% of the attorneys in the United States have contacted BCG Attorney Search in the past five years, and as we learn about your needs, we can help your firm in more ways than you may realize.
 
  • BCG Attorney Search can send you candidates and prioritize your firm over others. If you hire and interview your candidates, you will be prioritized and receive the best candidates in the market first. 
  • BCG Attorney Search provides incredible positive public relations for fair-dealing firms. We are here to preserve, protect and build our client's brands and reputations. We promote your firm through profiles online and help them with positive reviews on highly-trafficked sites we own and maintain, such as LawCrossing, Top-Law-Schools, and BCGSearch.com. These companies comprise the most trafficked group of legal employment and legal forum sites worldwide. This priceless service brands you with law students and attorneys at all levels. We want to bring our market power to help your brand.
 

BCG Attorney Search’s Relationship with its Candidates and You is Legally Protected

 

A. Under contract law, anyone unjustly enriched at the expense of another is required to make restitution.


If you hire a BCG candidate without notifying us, your firm is unjustly enriched by hiring the candidate without compensating BCG for the introduction and recruitment efforts that BCG provided. As the procuring cause of this hire, BCG is entitled to recover our fees. The legal concept of "procuring cause" in recovering under a quasi-contract in California is supported by several cases.
 
  • One such case is the California Court of Appeals decision in Stoneman v. Barba (1948). Here, the court held that a real estate broker was entitled to a commission under a quasi-contract because they were the procuring cause of the sale, even though the buyer and seller had not signed a written agreement with the broker. 
  • Another case that supports the concept of procuring cause in a quasi-contract is the California Supreme Court decision in Foley v. Interactive Data Corp. (1988). In this case, the court held that a job placement agency was entitled to recover a fee under a quasi-contract because they were the procuring cause of the job placement, even though the employer and the employee had not signed a written agreement with the agency.

Both cases demonstrate that under California law, a person who is the procuring cause of a transaction or event is entitled to recover under a quasi-contract, even if there is no written agreement.

The concept of unjust enrichment of an employer in California who hires a candidate through a recruiting firm referral and does not pay the recruiting firm is supported by several cases.
 
  • In the California Court of Appeals decision in Roos v. Redwood Empire Bancorp (2007), the court held that an employer who hired a candidate through a referral from a recruiting firm was unjustly enriched because they received the benefit of the referral without compensating the recruiting firm. 
  • In the California Court of Appeals decision in Bernard v. Kay-Dix Ranch, Inc. (1962), the court held that an employer who hired a candidate through a referral from a recruiting firm was unjustly enriched because they received the benefit of the referral without paying the agreed-upon fee to the recruiting firm.

These cases demonstrate that under California law, an employer who hires a candidate through a referral from a recruiting firm and does not pay the recruiting firm is unjustly enriched and must make restitution.
 

B. Interfering with our agreements with our candidates interferes with the prospective economic advantage we would have from placing them at another firm.


The concepts of interference with prospective economic advantage in the hiring of a candidate through an employment agency and not paying a fee are supported by several California cases.
 
  • In the California Court of Appeals decision in Trugreen Landcare, LLC v. Law Offices of Gary S. Charlip (2013), the court held that an employer who hired a candidate through an employment agency and did not pay the agreed-upon fee interfered with the employment agency's prospective economic advantage by depriving them of the opportunity to earn the fee. 
  • In the Court of Appeals decision in Pacific Lumber Co. v. State of California (2006), the court held that an employer who hired a candidate through an employment agency and did not pay the agreed-upon fee was liable for interference with a prospective economic advantage because they had intentionally interfered with the employment agency's ability to earn the fee.

These cases demonstrate that under California law, an employer who hires a candidate through an employment agency and does not pay the agreed-upon fee may be liable for interference with the employment agency's prospective economic advantage.
 

C. Asking candidates to lie about the source of their referrals is actionable.


In the past, it has come to our attention that some attorneys have asked the attorneys hired to lie. We are well-connected in the legal industry and have previously uncovered episodes of this.

Under California law and well-settled principles of the Rules of Professional Responsibility, attorneys are prohibited from asking anyone to lie—including their recruiting staff and attorneys.

This is because attorneys are required to act with integrity and honesty, and lying is a violation of these principles. In California, attorneys are governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct, which state that attorneys must not engage in any conduct that is dishonest, fraudulent, deceitful, or misleading. This includes asking anyone to lie or engage in any other dishonest behavior. If an attorney is found to have lied or asked someone else to lie, they may face disciplinary action, including the possibility of being disbarred.
 
See Also:



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:

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.

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.

Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom

Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom

You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays

You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts

You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives


Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.

Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.

To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.


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