That’s how BCG Attorney Search came to be. Today, BCG stands apart from other recruiting firms, not just because of our success but because of our purpose: helping attorneys find careers that change their lives. I want to share my personal story, explain why legal recruiting became my passion, and show you what makes BCG different.
My Path from Law to Legal Recruiting
I began my legal career like many aspiring attorneys: working hard in law school and landing positions at prestigious firms. My first major role was at Quinn Emanuel, one of the most competitive litigation firms in the country. It was an intense environment, full of incredibly bright attorneys, many of them from top law schools like Harvard and Yale. The partners were giants in the legal field, and I had the opportunity to work alongside them. But soon, I found myself overwhelmed, struggling to keep up with the demands of billing over 2,800 hours a year. I was so absorbed in work that I neglected basic things like getting a haircut for months. I wasn’t alone in this. Many young attorneys around me were caught in the same grind, trying to make partner while sacrificing their personal lives.
It wasn’t just the workload that made me question my path; it was the realization that I wasn’t building the kind of career I wanted. I wanted to help people in a way that felt more personal and meaningful. Despite working at some of the top firms in the country, I didn’t feel like I was making a difference.
Eventually, I moved to Dewey Balentine, a big New York firm, hoping that things would be different. But the same feelings of disillusionment followed me. I watched as partners and associates were let go due to financial struggles, and the uncertainty of my future within the firm became clear. One Christmas, I went home to Detroit to visit my family. It was during that break that I realized I couldn’t go back to my job. The thought of returning to that life was unbearable.
That was the moment I decided to take control of my career and follow a new path.
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The Birth of BCG Attorney Search
In early 2000, I left Dewey Ballantine and set out on a new venture: legal recruiting. It wasn’t an immediate decision; it grew from my frustration with the traditional legal profession and my desire to help others find their own way. When I was considering leaving my law firm, I spoke to several legal recruiters. I was shocked by how little they knew about the broader job market. Most of them could only tell me about one or two job openings. I remember thinking, “Why aren’t they consolidating all the job opportunities in one place? Why isn’t anyone making it easier for attorneys to find the right job?”
That was the spark that led me to create BCG Attorney Search. I saw an opportunity to do something no one else was doing: create a firm that not only helped attorneys find jobs but provided a comprehensive, personalized service that matched candidates with firms based on real needs and potential, not just open positions.
The early days were tough. I didn’t know if this new venture would succeed. For the first three months, nothing happened. I spent all day and night working, trying to build something from scratch. I even gave away legal cases that could have brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars because I was so determined to make BCG work.
Then, one Monday morning, I got a call from Latham & Watkins. They wanted to hire one of my candidates, someone who didn’t have a typical “perfect” background. By the end of that week, I had made a quarter of a million dollars in placements. That was the moment I knew BCG had real potential.
Why BCG Attorney Search is Different
BCG Attorney Search isn’t like other legal recruiting firms, and that’s intentional. From the beginning, we set out to do things differently, and it’s that difference that has driven our success for over two decades.
For one, we don’t rely on cold calls. In fact, in the entire history of BCG, no one has ever made a cold call to a candidate. We don’t need to. With over 170,000 visitors to our website every month, we have more candidates than we can handle. This allows us to focus on what really matters: helping people find jobs that match their skills, goals, and values.
What also sets us apart is the breadth of our placements. Most legal recruiting firms focus only on the top 100 law firms, using subscription services like the Leopard List to scrape job listings. These firms are limited by geographic region and the types of positions they can offer. BCG, on the other hand, doesn’t limit itself to big law or specific markets. We place candidates in mid-sized and small firms across the country, and even internationally. Our reach is nationwide, and we even make placements in firms that don’t have advertised openings.
We’ve built a proprietary database over the past two decades, investing more than $100 million into its development. This database tracks every job opening at law firms, large and small, across the country. It gives us a unique ability to find opportunities for our candidates that no other firm can match. Even if a firm isn’t actively hiring, we can still connect them with the right candidate at the right time.
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Why Legal Recruiting is a Special Profession
One of the things I love most about legal recruiting is the personal connection. At BCG, we’re not just filling positions—we’re building relationships. We take the time to understand our candidates’ stories, their motivations, and what they’re truly looking for in their careers. Many of the attorneys we work with come to us feeling discouraged, having faced rejections from multiple firms. They’ve been ghosted by recruiters or overlooked because they don’t fit the traditional mold. Our job is to change that narrative for them.
There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone find a job they love, especially when they’ve been struggling on their own. Legal recruiting allows me to guide people through one of the most challenging and stressful periods of their lives—the job search—and help them emerge on the other side with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement.
At BCG, we don’t just send candidates to job openings. We create opportunities where none exist. A significant portion of our placements come from firms that weren’t even hiring until we introduced them to the right candidate. We help law firms see the potential in candidates who might not have the perfect resume but have the skills and drive to succeed.
Why I Love What I Do
My passion for legal recruiting is deeply personal. I know what it’s like to feel lost in your career, to feel like you’re stuck in a job that doesn’t align with your goals or values. That’s why I’m so dedicated to helping attorneys find jobs that are not only a good fit professionally but also personally fulfilling.
Every day, I get to connect with talented attorneys who are just looking for the right opportunity. I get to be part of their journey, helping them find positions where they can thrive. That’s what makes this profession so special—it’s not just about placing people in jobs; it’s about changing lives.
I’ve seen countless success stories over the years, and each one reaffirms why I love what I do. I’ve worked with attorneys who were on the verge of giving up, ready to leave the legal profession altogether. Through BCG, they found new roles that reinvigorated their passion for the law. They found firms where they could grow, develop their skills, and make a meaningful impact.
BCG's Unique Approach to Recruiting
One of the key things that makes BCG Attorney Search different from other recruiting firms is our proactive approach. We don’t just wait for law firms to post openings and then scramble to find candidates. Instead, we take a market-making approach. We identify firms that might have unarticulated needs—firms that haven’t realized they need a new attorney until we present the perfect candidate.
This strategy has led to countless success stories. For example, I once worked with a trust and estates attorney who wasn’t finding success through traditional job boards. We identified about 20 firms that weren’t actively hiring but could benefit from her expertise. She ended up getting interviews with 10 of those firms and landed a job that was a perfect fit. This kind of result is not an exception—it’s what we aim for every day.
Our process is also data-driven. With over $100 million invested in our proprietary database, we can track every opening, every firm, and every candidate in the market. This allows us to find opportunities that no one else can. Our database covers everything from large firms in major markets to small firms in lesser-known towns, ensuring that our candidates have the best possible chance of finding the right job, no matter where they want to work.
The Joy of Helping Attorneys Build Their Careers
For me, the joy of legal recruiting comes from seeing the tangible impact we have on people’s lives. Attorneys come to us from all walks of life, and they often feel discouraged, unsure of their next steps. Through BCG, we help them rediscover their confidence and passion for the law.
I remember working with a family law attorney who wanted to move to a small town in Wisconsin. It wasn’t a big market, and she wasn’t sure if she would find anything there. We sent her to a few firms, and to her surprise, she got offers from three of them. She was able to move to the town she wanted, work in her preferred practice area, and find a firm that valued her skills.
These are the stories that make legal recruiting so rewarding. We’re not just helping people find jobs; we’re helping them build careers that align with their goals and aspirations.
The Future of BCG and Legal Recruiting
As I look back on 25 years of BCG Attorney Search, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built. We’ve created a firm that’s not just about making placements—it’s about making a difference. We’ve helped thousands of attorneys find jobs where they can thrive, and we’ve built long-lasting relationships with law firms across the country.
Looking to the future, I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. The legal market is constantly evolving, and we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve. Whether it’s through new technology, innovative approaches to recruiting, or expanding our reach to international markets, BCG will continue to be a leader in the legal recruiting industry.
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Conclusion: Why Legal Recruiting is More Than Just a Job
Legal recruiting isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling. It’s about more than just filling open positions. It’s about helping people find the right career paths, guiding them through difficult transitions, and ultimately changing their lives for the better.
BCG Attorney Search has allowed me to do all of this and more. It’s a place where I can make a real impact, where I can use my experience and skills to help attorneys navigate the often-complicated world of legal hiring. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
If you’re an attorney looking for your next opportunity or someone considering a career in legal recruiting, I encourage you to take the leap. The rewards—both personal and professional—are immense, and the impact you can have on others is truly life-changing.
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.
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.
